A.D. 253–275 Valerian–Aurelian Gallic Empire 6-pc Set

The Story Of The Gallic Empire

The Crisis of the Third Century was a dark time for the Roman Empire. Lasting from about A.D. 235 to 284, it saw the empire nearly collapse due to invasions, rebellions, and a multitude of usurpers for the title of emperor almost too numerous to name. This impressive six-piece set contains debased billon coins struck from 253 to 275 featuring the portraits of six different emperors:

• VALERIAN I (A.D. 253-260) – Born in A.D. 195, Valerian was an elderly Roman military commander and experienced former senator who was proclaimed emperor by his troops in 253 and ruled until his capture in 260 by King Shāpūr I of Persia. There are varying versions of Valerian’s death, including being forced to swallow molten gold, being flayed alive, and being stuffed as a trophy—among others!
• GALLIENUS (A.D. 253-268) – After serving as co-ruler with his father Valerian from 253 to 260, Gallienus served as sole ruler after his father’s capture. Despite winning numerous victories, Gallienus also lost some key provinces during his reign. Towards the end of 268, however, his senior officers began losing faith and while leading a surge into Milan, Gallienus was assassinated by one of his senior officers.
• POSTUMUS (A.D. 260-269) – A trusted general serving under Gallienus, Postumus revolted and ultimately declared himself the ruler of the breakaway Gallic Empire—which encompassed Gaul, Spain, and eventually Britain. He was killed by his own troops after he forbid them to sack Moguntiacum, present day Mainz, Germany, after winning a great victory over another usurper to the throne.
• CLAUDIUS II (A.D. 268-270) – A superb general who fought in the service of former Emperors Valerian and Gallienus, Claudius II was proclaimed emperor following the murder of Gallienus. His superior military tactics allowed him to crush an Alemanni invasion of Roman territory as well as earn Rome an impressive victory against all odds when his troops annihilated an enormous horde of Goths. Unfortunately for the empire, he died of plague after reigning for only two years.
• QUINTILLUS (A.D. 270) – The younger brother of Emperor Claudius, Quintillus was proclaimed emperor by his troops upon the death of his brother. His troops proved to be quite fickle, however, and less than three months later switched their loyalty to Aurelian. Knowing his days were numbered, Quintillus committed suicide having never visited Rome as emperor.
• AURELIAN (A.D. 270-275) – In the nearly six years he was in power, Aurelian reunited the Roman Empire, quelled revolts, and turned back invaders. He is also considered the Father of Christmas, because in A.D. 274 he proclaimed December 25th, the date upon which that year’s winter solstice fell, as “Natalis Solis Invicti,” or the festival of the birth of the unconquered sun. Christians at that time were being heavily persecuted, and could not openly celebrate Christian holidays, so they secretly used this date to celebrate the birth of a different kind of “son”—Jesus Christ!

Witness The Shifting Tides Of Power

This impressive six-piece set tracks the shifting tides of power during the breakaway of the Gallic Empire that started when the Empire destabilized after the capture and killing of Emperor Valerian, and ended when the area was retaken under Emperor Aurelian. The coins are beautifully presented in a wooden case and will come with a fact-filled story card that provides information on the importance of these coins and how they are all a part of a larger story. Secure yours now!