Silbannacus: the Roman emperor that time forgot

I am sure many people have read this recent article:

It is possible that Silbannacus belongs to this murky episode in Roman history [during the third century AD]. Specialists have noted that the style of his coin is very similar to those minted at Rome. It may be the case that Silbannacus’ coinage was indeed minted in the capital, and that he briefly gained control there during the period of conflict between Aemilian and Valerian. Perhaps he was one of Aemilian’s officers who, after Aemilian’s murder, tried to secure the city of Rome against Valerian. If he did, he was unsuccessful: Valerian swiftly gained control of the capital and became the legitimate emperor.

http://www.historyextra.com/article/bbc-history-magazine/silbannacus-roman-emperor-time-forgot



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silbannacus


But it always good to review the more obscure Emperors of the third century of Ancient Roman history since the numismatic material is sometimes the only evidence that these emperors even existed.

Other obscure, but fascinating emperors from this period include Domitian II and Saturninus.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domitianus_II



http://archive.archaeology.org/online/features/coin/




https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Saturninus

http://www.dirtyoldbooks.com/roman/id/Coins-of-Roman-Emperor-Saturninus.htm

(None of these are my coins, of course.)

 

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Interesting article - thanks for the read.

 

Interesting all around. Love the coins, especially the Silbannacus.

 

Yes, thank you. The was a good read.

 

Thanks for info/ amazing photos I remember getting NFA auction catalogue with the "mintstate" Saturninus Aureus... it sold for around 235K. Who ever said, "money can't buy happiness", is not living in the real world.

 

thanks for the info

 

I believe the correct term is numis-porn.

 

I have always wanted (but nother yet had) a coin from someone know to history only through their coins!

 

There are many opportunities to do this in the Roman Republican series . There seems to be many moneyers who are known only by their coins.

 

Very cool and interesting thread!!

I can recall reference to several 'obscure rulers' but not Silbannacus!

Two others where 'little is known' date to the time of Philip I ----Pacatian and Jotapian.

 

How about Sposianus, supposed to have ruled around 248 AD. Aurei of him have been found in Rumania. Another revolt of the Danube legions?

 

Good point.

This list from Wikipedia is surprisingly thorough.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Roman_usurpers

 

Not much job security in the Roman Empire being a usurper ... or a rebel.

 

Do those Aurei look real and are there any pictures to be found?

 

Is it possible to have a real coin of a person made up by confused later historians? Should we mention there are two usurpers named Saturninus of which the one with the coin (against Probus) has a stronger case for actually having existed but a couple coins and nothing more is not the kind of proof that would stand up in court. I'll give him a 'probably existed' rating but Google Sposianus and see what you find.