Another insanely expensive coin coin was recently sold at auction for $15,835. On the gold coin is the profile of one of the long line of emperors of the eastern part of the Roman Empire, not particularly remembered in history – Titus Fulvius Iunius Quietius, who ruled in 260-261.
When the Roman Emperor Valerian I was captured by the Sasanian king Shapur I, the eastern part of the Roman Empire suffered a crushing defeat. Shapur invaded Syria and captured Antioch. Valerian's son Gallienus defended Europe from many tribes that ravaged the surrounding lands. In September 260, legions rebelled in Antioch. The leaders of the rebellion were Macrian the Elder and the praetorian prefect Calixtus, nicknamed “Ballista”. Two sons of Macrian the Elder, Macrian the Younger and Quietus, were proclaimed emperors. The usurpers managed to unite most of the eastern empire under their rule and inflict several defeats on the Persians. However, both Macrians, who went on a campaign against Rome, were defeated in Illyria by the legions of Gallienus. Quietes and Calixtus remained in power for another eight months, after which they were killed by the inhabitants of Emesa (now the city of Homs in Syria), in which they were hiding from the ruler of Palmyra, Odaenathus, loyal to Emperor Gallienus.
The presented coin is of unprecedented rarity, hence the astronomical price list. As you can see in the photo, the quality of the embossing is excellent, and the relief is high and not worn out. Attaching photo.
In catalogs this coin is dated to the year 261. The diameter is 22 mm, the weight is 4.37 g. It was apparently minted in Antioch. This city was the fourth largest in the entire Roman Empire after Rome, Ephesus and Alexandria. The obverse legend reads IMP C FVL QVIETVS PF AVG and the reverse legend reads VICTORIA AVGG. The obverse is decorated with the profile of the young Emperor Quietus, and the reverse depicts the goddess Victoria with a palm branch and a wreath.
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