Roman Bronze Coin of Tetricus II (about 1,751-1,752 years ago)
This bronze coin features Tetricus II, who served as Caesar (junior emperor) in the breakaway Gallic Empire from 273 to 274 CE. As the son of the last Gallic Emperor Tetricus I, this young prince's brief appearance on Roman coinage represents the final chapter of the Gallic Empire, a separatist Roman state that existed for about 14 years during the Crisis of the Third Century.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of the young Tetricus II facing right, likely wearing a radiate crown, with his name and title "CAESAR" in Latin around the edge.
Back side: Probably features personifications of virtues, religious imagery, or symbols representing hope for dynastic continuity.
Technical Details:
Bronze alloy composition (possibly with minimal silver content)
Denomination: Likely an Antoninianus or small bronze denomination
Weight: Approximately 2-4 grams
Diameter: Approximately 18-22 mm
NGC Certified for authentication and preservation
Minted between 273-274 CE
Condition as specified by NGC certification
Historical Significance: The story of Tetricus II illustrates the volatile politics of the fractured Roman world in the 3rd century. Following the assassination of Emperor Postumus in 269 CE and the subsequent murder of his successor Victorinus, the wealthy Julia Victoria (Victorinus's mother) used her fortune to help install General Tetricus I as ruler of the Gallic Empire, with his young son elevated as Caesar. When central Roman authority strengthened under Emperor Aurelian, the Gallic Empire began to collapse as generals defected. Facing inevitable defeat, Tetricus I and his son surrendered to Aurelian in 274 CE. In an unusual show of clemency, after being paraded through Rome in Aurelian's triumph, both father and son were spared execution and Tetricus II later served in the Roman Senate. This coin represents the culmination of Rome's struggle to reunify its fractured empire during the Crisis of the Third Century
This bronze coin features Tetricus II, who served as Caesar (junior emperor) in the breakaway Gallic Empire from 273 to 274 CE. As the son of the last Gallic Emperor Tetricus I, this young prince's brief appearance on Roman coinage represents the final chapter of the Gallic Empire, a separatist Roman state that existed for about 14 years during the Crisis of the Third Century.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of the young Tetricus II facing right, likely wearing a radiate crown, with his name and title "CAESAR" in Latin around the edge.
Back side: Probably features personifications of virtues, religious imagery, or symbols representing hope for dynastic continuity.
Technical Details:
Bronze alloy composition (possibly with minimal silver content)
Denomination: Likely an Antoninianus or small bronze denomination
Weight: Approximately 2-4 grams
Diameter: Approximately 18-22 mm
NGC Certified for authentication and preservation
Minted between 273-274 CE
Condition as specified by NGC certification
Historical Significance: The story of Tetricus II illustrates the volatile politics of the fractured Roman world in the 3rd century. Following the assassination of Emperor Postumus in 269 CE and the subsequent murder of his successor Victorinus, the wealthy Julia Victoria (Victorinus's mother) used her fortune to help install General Tetricus I as ruler of the Gallic Empire, with his young son elevated as Caesar. When central Roman authority strengthened under Emperor Aurelian, the Gallic Empire began to collapse as generals defected. Facing inevitable defeat, Tetricus I and his son surrendered to Aurelian in 274 CE. In an unusual show of clemency, after being paraded through Rome in Aurelian's triumph, both father and son were spared execution and Tetricus II later served in the Roman Senate. This coin represents the culmination of Rome's struggle to reunify its fractured empire during the Crisis of the Third Century
This bronze coin features Tetricus II, who served as Caesar (junior emperor) in the breakaway Gallic Empire from 273 to 274 CE. As the son of the last Gallic Emperor Tetricus I, this young prince's brief appearance on Roman coinage represents the final chapter of the Gallic Empire, a separatist Roman state that existed for about 14 years during the Crisis of the Third Century.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of the young Tetricus II facing right, likely wearing a radiate crown, with his name and title "CAESAR" in Latin around the edge.
Back side: Probably features personifications of virtues, religious imagery, or symbols representing hope for dynastic continuity.
Technical Details:
Bronze alloy composition (possibly with minimal silver content)
Denomination: Likely an Antoninianus or small bronze denomination
Weight: Approximately 2-4 grams
Diameter: Approximately 18-22 mm
NGC Certified for authentication and preservation
Minted between 273-274 CE
Condition as specified by NGC certification
Historical Significance: The story of Tetricus II illustrates the volatile politics of the fractured Roman world in the 3rd century. Following the assassination of Emperor Postumus in 269 CE and the subsequent murder of his successor Victorinus, the wealthy Julia Victoria (Victorinus's mother) used her fortune to help install General Tetricus I as ruler of the Gallic Empire, with his young son elevated as Caesar. When central Roman authority strengthened under Emperor Aurelian, the Gallic Empire began to collapse as generals defected. Facing inevitable defeat, Tetricus I and his son surrendered to Aurelian in 274 CE. In an unusual show of clemency, after being paraded through Rome in Aurelian's triumph, both father and son were spared execution and Tetricus II later served in the Roman Senate. This coin represents the culmination of Rome's struggle to reunify its fractured empire during the Crisis of the Third Century
