ROMAN. Julian of Pannonia. Usurper, A.D. 284-285. Antoninianus (3.82g). Siscia mint, 2nd officina. Struck December A.D. 284. IMP C M AVR IVLIANVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right / FELICITAS TEMPORVM, Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus in right hand and sceptre in left; S|B//XXI. RIC V 2; Pink VI/2, p. 49; Venera 4398. Attractively toned, with silvering. EF. A truly amazing coin, without doubt one of the finest known for the type. Sharply struck, beautifully centred and blessed with exceptional eye appeal, it is in our view clearly much finer than the recent example sold in Leu Auction 26, lot 4839 (8 July 2023), hammered USD 6,600, as well as superior to the specimen offered in Triton XXVI, lot 828 (10 January 2023), hammered USD 4,750. Taking these important benchmarks into account, the present coin would undoubtedly rank among the very finest known examples of the type. Marcus Aurelius Sabinus Iulianus first appears in history as a provincial administrator, serving as corrector in northern Italy under the emperor Carus. In the turmoil that followed Carus' death, while Carinus and the rising star Diocletian struggled for control of the empire, Julianus seized his moment. Around A.D. 284 he briefly claimed imperial authority in Pannonia and struck coins from the important mint at Siscia, attempting to give his revolt a veneer of legitimacy. His bid for power was short-lived: Carinus marched out from his western base, probably in Britain, and moved swiftly to crush the rebellion, defeating and killing Julianus near Verona early in A.D. 285. From the Titan Collection.

Estimate: AUD 7500