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Silvered Bronze Antoninianus - Æ 26 mm - 2,5 gr - Die axis 01:00. |
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1. |
DIVO NVM[ERIANO (AVG)] (Divo Numerianus – Deified Numerianus).
Cuirassed bust of emperor, facing right, wearing the radiate crown. Less in reality than here, we can see clearly that the emp's face was double struck. Because of this he seems somewhat debauched.
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2. |
[C]ONSECRA[TIO] (Consecratio - Deified).
Eagle outstretched wings, head turned upwards facing up left. Feet on branch. Looks like defensive or 'alarm' position. |
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2.b |
K[A(lying crescent)A] standing for Rome's 1st Officina. |
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After the sudden death of his father after the decisive victory near Ctesiphon (gaining his father Carus
the title of Persicus Maximus) Numerianus was left with the task of leading the army back from Persia.
Since negotiations with Persia were conducted later on by Diocletian, the new emperor was first of all
busy with stabilising his position.
Numerianus however was nominated for the ordinary consulship of 284. which he held with his brother.
In March he was in Emesa, and apparently in good health. Soon afterwards he may have fallen ill. His
staff, however, told everybody that Numerianus had an eye inflammation and had to travel in a closed
litter. When the distinctive odour of decay began to issue from his litter the accompanying soldiers
tore open the curtains of the litter discovering Numerianus' decaying body.
Possibly his senior officers had decided to keep things quiet so that they could arrange who was to be
the new man in charge. The premature discovery of the body led to a military assembly in which the
commander of the imperial bodyguard, Valerius Diocles accused Aper, the Praetorian Prefect,of having
encompassed Numerian's death. Diocles then vindicated his claim by running Aper through with his
sword. The assembled troops took the hint and proclaimed Diocles emperor. Diocles became Diocletian.
Numerian's death probably was in early November 284. The assembly on November 20th. The Historia
Augusta records (or invents) a tradition of Numerianus as amiable young man and excellent orator but no
proof of this has in reality survived.
Minted in Rome.
Obv. : Good but worn - Rev. : Worn and pitted.
Large flan at 09:00 to 12:00 - Right half missing - Rests of silvering.
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