Tetricus I (271-274 AD) ~ BI Double-Denarius ~ NGC Very Fine

NGC CERT #: 3726622-247

NGC DESCRIPTION: BI Double-Denarius

NGC GRADE: Very Fine

ABOUT THE COIN:

The double-denarius, or antoninianus, were struck from 215 to 293 AD.  The first antoniniani were first struck with an alloy containing about 49.5% silver, but the denomination was continually debased until by 274 the alloy contained only 2.5% silver. 

Gaius Pius Esuvius Tetricus was the emperor of the Gallic Empire from 271 to 274 AD.  During his reign, he faced external pressure from Germanic raiders, who pillaged the eastern and northern parts of his empire, and the Roman Empire, from which the Gallic Empire had seceded.  He also faced increasing internal pressure, which led him to declare his son, Tetricus II, caesar in 273 and possibly co-emperor in 274, although this is debated.  The Roman emperor Aurelian invaded in 273 or 274, leading to the Battle of Châlons, at which Tetricus surrendered.   Aurelian spared Tetricus, and even made him a senator and corrector (governor) of Lucania et Bruttium. Tetricus died of natural causes a few years after 274.

ABOUT NGC:

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