Object Description
A fine, ancient Romano-Celtic bronze ‘barbarous radiate’ coin, imitating a bronze antoninianus of the emperor Victorinus. He ruled over the Gallic Empire, a splinter state of the Roman Empire, from AD 268-271. The obverse features the radiate and cuirassed bust of the emperor, facing right, with the legend IMP C VICTORINVS P F AVG, short for Imperator Caesar Victorinus Pius Felix Augustus. This can be translated as supreme commander (Imperator) Caesar Victorinus Pius Happy/Fortunate emperor (Augustus). The reverse displays the god Sol, nude, apart from a cloak draped around his shoulders. He strides to the left, with his right leg bent and his left leg stretched behind, walking on the ground line below. His right hand is raised and outstretched, while his left hand holds a whip. The accompanying legend reads INVICTVS, which can be translated as undefeated. A star enriches the left field, below the god’s arm and above his bent leg.
Date: Circa 3rd Century AD