Ancient Roman Bronze Coin of Emperor Quintillus (Briefly Ruled After Claudius II)

Own a Silver Coin from an Emperor Who Reigned for Weeks and Chose Suicide Over Civil War

A real silver-washed billon antoninianus of Quintillus — proclaimed emperor after his brother Claudius II Gothicus died of plague in AD 270, governing for somewhere between 17 and 77 days before overwhelming support for Aurelian made resistance pointless, and choosing death over the civil war he could not win. NGC certified.

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👑 One of the shortest reigns in Roman imperial history — between 17 and 77 days, ending in suicide rather than the civil war that would have destroyed what his brother had rebuilt
🏛 Reverse depicts Providentia, Aequitas, or Fides — foresight, fairness, and loyalty, the virtues of an emperor who showed all three by stepping aside rather than fighting
🤲 Struck under emergency conditions in Italy — limited output from one of Rome's most fleeting reigns. NGC certified.

Own This Piece of History

Why This Coin Matters

When Claudius II Gothicus died of plague in AD 270, the troops in Italy proclaimed his brother Quintillus as emperor. It was a reasonable choice in the moment — the Claudian name carried military prestige, and a smooth succession would preserve the momentum of recovery that Claudius had begun with his Gothic victories. The Senate recognized the proclamation. Quintillus began issuing coins, appointing officials, and governing as emperor.

Then the news arrived from the Danubian frontier. The troops there — the most battle-hardened legions in the empire, veterans of the Gothic campaigns — had already proclaimed their own candidate: Aurelian, the cavalry commander who had served under both Gallienus and Claudius and who every professional soldier in the army knew was the most capable military officer Rome possessed. As Aurelian's forces began moving toward Italy, support for Quintillus evaporated with the speed that only Crisis-era politics could produce.

Ancient sources — Eutropius and the Historia Augusta — report that Quintillus, recognizing the hopelessness of his position and understanding that resistance would mean civil war in a Rome that could barely afford external threats, chose suicide. The exact method is not clearly recorded. What is clear is that he died within weeks of being proclaimed emperor, that his death was voluntary, and that in dying as he did he may have saved Rome from yet another devastating internal conflict at precisely the moment when Aurelian needed to begin his work of reunification. This silver-washed billon antoninianus, struck under emergency conditions during those few weeks of his reign, is one of the rarest issues of the entire Crisis era. Certified by NGC.

Perfect for:

• Collectors of Crisis of the Third Century, extremely short reign emperors, and Roman silver-washed billon antoniniani
• History lovers drawn to Quintillus, Aurelian, and the most fleeting reigns of the Roman imperial era
• Rare short-reign coinage, Providentia reverse type, and NGC certified Crisis-era silver enthusiasts
• Anyone seeking one of the rarest imperial issues of Rome's most chaotic century

What You'll Receive

• One authentic silver-washed billon antoninianus of Quintillus
• Denomination: Antoninianus (silver-washed billon — debased currency of the era)
• NGC certified for authenticity and preservation
• Struck AD 270 — similar to examples shown (each coin is unique)

Buy with Confidence

• Guaranteed authentic ancient coin
• Carefully sourced and verified
• 30-day return policy
• Secure shipping from the U.S.

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