ROMAN. Uranius Antoninus. Usurper, A.D. 253-254. Billon Tetradrachm (10.95g). SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Emesa. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / DHMARX EXOVCIAC VPA TO B, eagle standing facing, head and tail left, wings displayed, holding wreath in beak; S C beneath wings. Baldus - (dies XVIII/- [unlisted reverse die]); cf. Prieur 1044; cf. CNG 58, 963. VF, with black-green patina and earthen undertones. Unlisted. Extremely rare variety. Uranius Antoninus is a shadowy figure of the mid third century, unknown to the main ancient historians and glimpsed almost entirely through his coinage. Active at Emesa in Syria around A.D. 253-254, he appears to have been a local priest-king of the sun god who assumed imperial trappings in response to repeated Persian attacks, rather than as a direct challenger to Rome. His coins give him the elaborate name Lucius Julius Aurelius Sulpicius Severus Uranius Antoninus and often feature local temple types, underlining his regional power base and religious role. Later writers, such as Zosimus, seem to confuse him with other usurpers bearing similar names, which has only added to the uncertainty around his career. What can be said with some confidence is that his authority was short-lived and was probably extinguished when Valerian advanced east to restore imperial control, leaving Uranius Antoninus as one of the more enigmatic protagonists of the crisis-ridden third century, preserved for us almost solely through his rare and historically important coins. From the Titan Collection; previously from the David Allan Collection, acquired from Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 88, 14 September 2011, lot 1030, hammered US$3500. (P)

Estimate: AUD 7500