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Silver pendant featuring a provincial coin from the 3rd century A.D. during Emperor Trebonianus Gallus, an energetic leader at the head of an empire on the brink of collapse. And to solve those critical circumstances, he implemented practical measures after being proclaimed emperor by the legions around June 251 A.D. following the deaths of Decius and his son Herennius Etruscus at the Battle of Abritus (Bulgaria) against the Carpi, Taifali, Goths, Peucini, and Roman deserters led by the Gothic chieftain Cniva. Put yourself in his shoes: it was the first time two Roman emperors fell in the same conflict, the inhabitants of Rome were at risk of extinction due to an epidemic, and the army was on the verge of mutiny… so Trebonianus Gallus (251-253 A.D.) made decisive moves: • he let Cniva and his prisoners go with the loot; • he agreed to pay an annual tribute to deter incursions into the Empire; • he arranged a quick peace with the Goths. But there is more: in the capital were Hostilian, Caesar and son of the late Decius, and his august mother Herennia Etruscilla, so Trebonianus chose an effective solution: he was elevated to Augustus, sharing the throne, while respecting her social position. And of course he named Caesar to his descendant, Gaius Vibius Volusianus. In fact, this realistic decision avoided a civil war and projected an image of unity. Note that the Cyprian plague was reducing agricultural production, daily taking the lives of about 5,000 Romans, and Christians took care of the sick and the burials. This means that, without anyone getting off scot-free, no one could be blamed for provoking the plague which, in the same year 251 A.D., also claimed Hostilian’s life. Consequently, Trebonianus took the only useful decision he could: ensure a dignified burial for the victims with no resources. And more importantly, he militarized the provincial economy to curb the spread of the plague, as evidenced by the sestertius of this pendant minted at the Viminacium mint (Serbia), and a solution exclusive for: - the Legio IV Flavia Felix and the Legio VII Claudia, two of the longest-serving and most loyal legions; - small commerce, suitable for buying provisions, etc., avoiding barter in a border region exposed to risk. Ultimately, a coin appropriate for speeding payments in an unstable environment with a scarcity of noble metals; note the details: - Obverse: Portrait bust in profile of Trebonianus Gallus laurelled, with a hollow pupil and cuirass, facing right. Legend: IMP CC VIB TRIB GALLVS II (Imperator Caesar Caius Vibius Trebonianus Gallus, second consulship). - Reverse: Personification of the province of Moesia standing with a hollow pupil looking left, arms extended to either side, with a bull on one side, symbol of Legio VII Claudia, and a lion, symbol of Legio IIII Flavia Felix, protecting the province and the Danube frontier. Legend: P M S COL VIM AN XII (Provincia Moesia Superior, Colonia Viminacium AN XII (year 12)). And that satin blue-green patina is the color left by 1,773 years of time. All of the above, Trebonianus, aware of the epidemic, stayed in Rome, and Volusianus in the East fighting Sapor I, the Goths, and even usurpers like Marcus Avilius Aelianus (Marcus Aurelius Eulianus), who defeated the Goths; the troops proclaimed him emperor around August 253 A.D., and Trebonianus was eliminated by his Praetorian Guard. Realize that this is nearly 2,000 years of silver coinage that gains value with time, now in a timeless pendant design that makes you part of that historical period and naturally brings people to you to start conversations that would be difficult with modern jewelry. Disclaimer: I am sending you this item from Spain by certified mail. If you receive it in an area with a special tax regime, your local customs could hold it until you pay a charge, and that is beyond my control.
Estimate:$281.3
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Estimate:
$281.3

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OCT 8 | 3:00 PM