Ancient Coins: The Gallic Empire

The Gallic Empire was the most successful of the roman separatist states of the third century AD. For over a decade, there was a Rome outside of Rome, with its own Pretorian guard, senate, army, and Emperors. Today lets explore the history of this rump state.

The Images of the Roman Aureii of Postumus and the usurpers are property of The Trustees of the British Museum. CC3.0

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[Numischannel]

Hi Leo! Excellent video!!! Postumus, and also (though with far less resources) Carausius, were the masters of coin propaganda. As for the destination of their issues, it was the military. The Gallic empire was the pinacle of the "Soldier-Emperors" period, and it was an outright military régime. Gold coins went to the high ranks, struck in special occasions and mostly as "donativa" (special distributions); lower ranks received special issues of antoniniani and, sometimes what Elmer calls "abschläge", that is, off-metal strikes of the aurei, minted with aureus dies in antoniniani alloy; such coins are known in other references as "denarii" (though the single denarius was no longer a regular denomination in the Roman monetary system after the reign of Gordian III. As for the Battle of Chalons, most historians agree that it did happen, and it was a carnage (the Historia Augusta is not to be trusted).

[Hellowurri]

found you from reddit, awesome channel dude

[Buzzygirl]

I've got a coin from each of these emperors - they were among my first ancient coin purchases because they are very affordable.

[dylan]

Hey found you on reddit & I love your videos

[christopherevans]

I have a Postumus myself and most have good silver for the age. If I were to guess, he most likely was able to make good coins because he controlled the Iberian mines, though they were diminishing.

[skuul]

Excellent presentation Leo! Some of my first ancient coins were some antoniniani of the Gallic empire, and they started a hobby that continues to this day :-) I'm still blown away by the craftmanship of the portrets on Postumus coins and the variety of coins he made. As a side note, Postumus was probably born of Batavian origin (roughly the southern Netherlands) as some of his coins have the reverse HERC DEVSONIENSI, which was a local Batavian deity. Deuso was a town which is usually identified with the current town of Diessen in the Netherlands. Although I live in a part of the Netherlands which didn't saw much Roman activity (north of the Rhine), I nevertheless have a weak spot for the 'Dutch' emperor Postumus :-) Lastly, one small remark to the video: Victorinus' reign most likely started in 269 AD, not 268 AD. There are coins of Postumus celebrating his 10th year in office (IMP X COS V), which could only have been struck in 269 AD if Postumus' reign started in 260 AD. Older literature gives a reign of 259-268 AD to Postumus, but most historians now agree on 260-269 AD.
I have most types of the basic set of emperors, but also a few of Marius, which is the most 'afordable' of the rare Gallic emperors. Still hoping to obtain a Laelianus one day, but his coins are very rare and expensive. Obtaining a Domitianus II is simply impossible, as both his known coins are in a museum.

[ElliotCarson]

Hi Leo, just wanted to say as a Roman history buff you’ve convinced me to finally start the coin collection i’ve always thought of 😂

[isabelcrb]

I wish my boyfriend had a beard like Postumus's.

[Fummy]

I love how every coin tells a story. Just comparing the fineness, how worn the dies (?) are, what symbolism was on it, show the state of the Empire at the time.

[q.valerius]

Great video as always :) I myself got 2 Antoniani of Postumus, both minded in Cologne. The city base of Laelianus, and the place where Postumus ultimately met his end, was Moguntiacum, the modern city of Mainz, Germany, where I was born. By trying to prevent his troops from sacking the city (for which they killed him), he attempted to save it, which is why I kinda feel a personal connection to Postumus, no matter how weird that may sound :D

[АндрейБыкадоров-фй]

Давно собираю Рим и антику.Интересный обзор.

[Whitesmokeromania]

Reminds me when i got my first gallic roman coin and i thought i had a Domitius II one ...man ...my heart skipped a beat 🤣.Great information as usual...thank you!!

[gregmiller]

..good vid!...i'm lacking Marius(not to mention Domitianusll) but am waiting for the arrival of a Aureolus minted Postumus...:D

[hridgreximp]

I wonder where the Gallic empire got it’s silver to put in coin when gallienus couldn’t find any(even when he controlled hispania)?

[CroMagnon]

This video just made me realize I have a Gallic coin of Tetricus I!

[ToreMix]

Very interesting!
Postumus was more important than I have known.

[gorgon]

Hey man, great video. Can you do a video where you showcase coins from various Roman usurper claimants?

[briefhistory_]

Nice video! I have a Coin with Tetricus II

[donklaser]

Great video. I have the basic set; they were some of the first roman coins I purchased.

[SpectreEelman]

Currently I own a Postumus, A Tetricus I & a Tetricus II all three are Antoninianus and in pretty nice condition, . I need to order a Victorinus and do plan to order additional Gallic Empire coins as I like them & as you stated - they tend to be reasonably priced. Another great, helpful video, Thank You !!!