Postumus, Romano-Gallic Empire (AD 260-269). AE double-sestertius (29mm, 16.00 gm, 6h). NGC VF 4/5 - 2/5, bent. 'Irregular mint' (Mint II), AD 261-266. IMP C M CASS LAT POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Postumus right, seen from front / LAETITIA / AVG, galley with four rowers and steerman sailing left over waves. RIC V.II 143 (Lugdunum). During the chaos of an invasion by the Alemanni and Franks, Postumus, serving as a governor of Germania for Gallienus, was declared emperor. His first act after stemming the Germanic attack was to seize Cologne and kill Saloninus, the son of Gallienus. Postumus went on to seize control of Britain, Gaul, Spain, and Germany. Unlike other usurpers of the chaotic age, he made no attempt to march on Rome and was content to reign his secessionist realm as a "Roman Empire of the Gauls." The new state had its own Senate, legions and Praetorian guard. Effective at repelling both barbarian attacks and the attempts by Gallienus to reclaim the lost provinces, he was finally killed by his own troops when he forbade them from plundering the city of Mainz.

HID09801242017

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