Claudius II Gothicus

Claudius II Gothicus came to power after the assassination of Gallienus, probably with the support of senior military officers, and his brief reign was dominated by urgent military problems. The empire was under pressure from rival claimants, breakaway provinces, economic disruption, and repeated invasions across the Danube and Rhine frontiers. Claudius first secured his position by defeating Aureolus, a rebel commander who had challenged Gallienus in northern Italy. He then turned to the northern frontiers, where Germanic and Gothic groups threatened Roman territory. His most famous achievement was his victory over a large Gothic force at the Battle of Naissus in 269 which earned him the title “Gothicus” and helped restore Roman confidence after years of defeats and instability. Claudius also fought against the Alamanni, who had crossed into Italy, and helped stabilize the central empire. However, he was unable to reunite all Roman territories. The Gallic Empire in the west and the Palmyrene kingdom in the east remained outside direct imperial control during his reign. Claudius died in 270, probably of plague, at Sirmium. His reign was short, but later Roman writers remembered him favorably as a soldier-emperor who restored discipline and defended the empire at a critical moment. His reputation became larger than his actual reign, but his military successes genuinely helped prepare the way for the recovery of the Roman Empire under Aurelian.

Although finding a decent antoninianus of Claudius II Gothicus is not difficult, choice examples are very scarce. The present coin is about as nice as they come. The obverse is fully struck and fully silvered, with a portrait that is about as finely executed as one can find for the period. The reverse is weaker, struck from a somewhat worn die though not as bad as most coins of the 3rd century crisis. Overall, this is probably one of the best examples obtainable for Claudius II Gothicus.