Claudius II Gothicus Antoninianus 2310208

Claudius II Gothicus. AD 268-270.

Antoninianus (19mm, 4.68 g, 1h). Cyzicus mint.

IMP CLAVDIVS P F AVG Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; four pellets behind

VICTORIAE GOTHIC, bound captives seated either side of trophy.

Cf. RIC V 252.

Near EF, silvered.

From the Elliott-Kent Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 58 (19 September 2001), lot 1305.

This coin marks the victories over successive waves of invaders that threatened to dismember the empire in the late 3rd century. Gallienus (not Claudius) had achieved the initial victory over the Goths at Naissus in 268, but Claudius' victories over the Germans at Lake Benacus and the Goths at Mount Gessax shattered the barbarian armies. However, plague swept the weakened hordes, eventually claiming the emperor and much of his army as victims.