Claudius was apparently one of the principal conspirators who instigated a
lethal mutiny against Gallienus during his siege against the usurper Aureolus.
His claim that Gallienus designated him his heir in his deathbed and absent any
credible witnesses led many to doubt the story. Regardless, Claudius rose to
power and quelled any discontent over Gallienus's fate by giving each soldier
the princely sum of 20 Aurei and locating Aureolus who was promptly executed.
The controversial accession besides, Claudius proved a remarkably able
battlefield commander and he earned the nickname Gothicus following the
devastating blow he dealt to the Goths; accounts of which had the battle ending
with some 50,000 barbarians of this tribe being killed. Before he had much more
time to secure more honorary titles for himself, however, he contracted plague
and died in Sirmium two years into his reign. The Senate praised and deified him
afterwards as one of the greatest emperors ever. Contemporary historians linked
his family to that of Constantine and evidently his memory was still popular
enough half a century later that Constantine would be able to exploit the public
relations value of this link through a series of coins minted honoring his dead
ancestor.
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AR Antoninianus 267--270 A.D.
Rome
18 mm.
Obv. IMP CLAVDIVS AVG: Radiate and draped bust right
Rev. ANNONA AVG: Annona standing left
Sear 3097, C. 21, Van Meter 5
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AR Antoninianus 268--270 A.D.
22 mm.
Obv. IMP C CLAVDIVS AVG: Radiate and draped bust, right
Rev. ANNONA AVG: Annona standing left with cornucopiae
Sear 3097, C. 21, Van Meter 5 |
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AR Antoninianus ca. 270 A.D.
15 mm.
Obv. DIVO CLAVDIO: Radiate bust right
Rev. CONSECRATIO: altar
C. 43, Van Meter 44/1 |
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AE Antoninianus 268--270 A.D.
18 mm.
Obv. IMP C CLAVDIVS AVG: Radiate bust right
Rev. FIDES EXERCI: Fides standing left, looking right, holding two standards
S. 3201, Van Meter 12 |
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AE Antoninianus 268--270 A.D.
19 mm.
Obv. IMP CLAVDIVS PF AVG: Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev. VICTORIA AVG: Victory advancing right, holding wreath and palm, S in excergue
C. 293, Van Meter 35 |
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