Laelianus, Antoninianus, 269
Mayence - Very rare - Billon - AU(55-58) - RIC:V-9
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Bust of Laelianus, radiate, cuirassed, right.
Victory, winged, draped, running right, holding wreath in right hand and palm in left hand
Extremely rare coin of the usurper Laelianus! It is admited that he rebelled against Postumus at the beginning of 269 (around the month of February) when he was in command of the troops stationed at Mogontiacum (Mainz); He was chased out by Posthumus, and died a few months later (possibly around April 269) without the exact circumstances being known, either assassinated by his own troops or by Victorinus, who had taken Posthumus' place after the latter was murdered by his troops while fighting against Laelianus and another usurper, Marius. Very few coins were minted during the short reign of Laelianus, making them extremely rare, especially when they are in such superb condition as this one! An exceptional specimen, as much for its rarity as for the quality of its conservation!
IMP C LAELIANVS P F AVG
VICTORIA AVG
3.45 gr
An “AU(55-58)” quality
As in numismatics, it is important that the state of conservation of an item be carefully evaluated before it is offered to a discerning collector with a keen eye.
This initially obscure acronym comprising two words describing the state of conservation is explained clearly here:
About Uncirculated(55-58)
This means – more prosaically – that the coin has been in circulation but sufficiently little that its original beauty is preserved almost in its entirety. The wear is barely visible and any other defect can only be identified with a magnifying glass or a particularly keen eye. The number (55-58) indicates that between three quarters and almost all of the original luster remains.
