Trebonianus Gallus           251 - 253 A.D.

Trebonianus rose through the ranks in the army and received a high enough stature that when Trajan Decius died in battle the army chose him to be the next emperor. His popularity with the army and public waned inexorably ever more for the rest of his reign. His first mistake, and not one which he could have easily done much about, was to settle the same war that killed Decius by buying off the enemy. For right or wrong this was viewed as an act of cowardice bordering on treason. Then came a plague that decimated the population and even claimed Hostilian who was co-Augustus with Gallus. As both disease and the withering attacks of the barbarians eroded support for the emperor he had to face yet another blow. Aemilian rose to challenge for the purple following a series of successful battles with the barbarians that gave him and his army the confidence to attempt to overthrow the troubled ruler. Gallus went through the motions and approached to confront Aemilian in battle but his commanders had had enough and killed him along with his son Volusian just before the engagement.

AR Antoninianus 251--253 A.D. Milan 21 mm. Obv. IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG: Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right Rev. PAX AETERNA: Pax standing left and holding olive twig and scepter This coin publicizes the unfavorable peace with the Goths which allowed them to remain in control of Thrace as a solution to the crisis along the Danube. S 2788, RIC 71, Van Meter 23	AR Antoninianus 251--253 A.D. Antioch 23 mm. Obv. IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS PF AVG: Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right Rev. PIETAS AVGG: Pietas standing left, holding a patera over an altar. SR 2789, C. 84, Van Meter 27	Roman Imperial Trebonianus Gallus AR Antoninianus 251-253 A.D. 22 mm. 3.9 gm. Milan Obv. IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right Rev. PAX AETERNA Pax standing left, holding branch and transverse scepter RIC 71