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Trebonian Gallus
Caius Vibius Trebonianus Gallus was appointed governer of Moesia Superior in 250 by his predecessor Decius. This way he became closely involved in the war in the Balkans. After the death of Decius and his son Herennius, Gallus was proclaimed emperor by the army around june 251. Coins in his name were issued bearing the local year 
XII which must have been struck around june/july 251. After that coins in his name and in the name of his son Volusian were struck with the local year XIII (july 251 - july 252). Gallus adopted Hostilian, the youngest son of Decius and made him co-emperor while he proclaimed his own son from his marriage with Afinia Gemina Baebiana Caesar. To leave as soon as possible for Rome he negotiated a quick peace with the Goths and promised them great sums of money if they would stop their raids. After his departure the military command must have been transfered to Aemilius Aemilianus. When Gallus arrived in Rome the city was in the grasp of the plague. The outbreak also took the life of the young co-emperor Hostilian after which Gallus proclaimed his own son Volusian co-emperor around august 251. Towards the end of the year 252 or the beginning of the year 253 the Persians invaded Syria and managed to take the city of Antioch. Gallus did sent reinforcements to the east but he did not have the means to deal with the Persians adequately. During this time of turmoil a local ruler from Emesa by the name of Uranius Antoninus managed to draw some amount of power his way and even began to strike coins in his name. In the Balkan aerea the Goths took op their raids again against which Aemilianus started to resist. He took up the fight against the Goths and managed to defeat them and even entered their territory. After this he was immediately proclaimed emperor by his troops. Gallus and his son Volusian went north to attack Aemilian but during the first skirmishes they were killed by their own troops around june/july 253. After the murder the troops went over to the side of Aemilian.
The coins of Trebonian Gallus from Viminacium
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Denominations struck: sestertii.
On the sestertii the emperor has a portrait with laurel wreath.
Used notations of the local year:
XII, used from june/july 251 until july 251.
XIII, used from july 251 until july 252.
XIV, used from july 252 until december 252 or januari 253.
Obverse text variations used:
A:
IMP C VIBIO TREBON GALLO AVG
B: IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG
C:
IMP C C VIB TRIB GALLV AVG
D: IMP C GALLVS P FELIX AVG
E: IMP C GAILVS P FELIX AVG
F: IMP C C VIB TRIB GALLVS AVG
Reverse text variations used:
a:
PMSC - OLVIM
b: PMS - COLVII
c: PMSC - OLVIII
d: PMS - COLVIM
AN XII |
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| Sestertius ANNO XII - 250/251 - Pick 160 - Martin 5.01.2 - Varbanov 203 | |
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Private collection Weight: 11,60 grams Diameter: 26,8 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Gallus to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. The cloak is ornamented with a distinct square motif. Text: (A:) IMP C VIBIO TREBON GALLO AVG (IMPERATOR CAIVS VIBIO TREBONIANO GALLO AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Caius Vibio Treboniano Gallo Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion. Text: (a:) PMSC - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XII (ANNO XII) - year 12 (250/251). Remark: The cloak Gallus is wearing is ornamented with a distinct square motif. |
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| Sestertius ANNO XII - 250/251 - Pick 160 var. - Martin 5.01.1 - Varbanov 203 | |
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Collection Scottatlaw on Tantalus coin registry Weight: 12,43 grams Diameter: 26 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Gallus to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. Text: (A:) IMP C VIBIO TREBON GALLO AVG (IMPERATOR CAIVS VIBIO TREBONIANO GALLO AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Caius Vibio Treboniano Gallo Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion. Text: (a:) PMSC - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XII (ANNO XII) - year 12 (250/251). Remark: This Sestertius looks like the previous type but the portrait of Gallus is somewhat different and the cloak is of a different shape. |
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AN XIII |
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| As(?) ANNO XIII - 251/252 - Pick - Martin 5.14.1 - Varbanov | |
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Copyright Classical Numismatic Group Weight: 3,51 grams Diameter: 18 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Gallus to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. Text: (D:) IMP C GALLVS P FELIX AVG (IMPERATOR CAIVS GALLVS PIVS FELIX AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Caius Gallus, dutiful and fortunate Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion. Text: (a:) PMSC - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XIII (ANNO XIII) - year 13 (251/252). Remark: A small and light issue from late year XIII, probably an as(?) |
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| Sestertius ANNO XIII - 251/252 - Pick 161 - Martin 5.08.2 - Varbanov - (Verg. 204) | |
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Collection Scottatlaw on Tantalus coin registry Weight: 10,61 grams Diameter: 27 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Gallus to the right with laurel wreath, the bust is of the so called 'naked type'. A part of the paludamentum (cloak, cape) is only visible on the far left shoulder. Text: (A:) IMP C VIBIO TREBON GALLO AVG (IMPERATOR CAIVS VIBIO TREBONIANO GALLO AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Caius Vibio Treboniano Gallo Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion. Text: (a:) PMSC - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XIII (ANNO XIII) - year 13 (251/252). Remark: This Sestertius looks like the previous types from the year 12 but the bust is of the so called 'naked type'. A part of the paludamentum (cloak, cape) is only visible on the far left shoulder. On the reverse the numerals I are getting smaller as they are placed more to the right and are placed more upwards. |
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| Sestertius ANNO XIII - 251/252 - Pick 163 - Martin 5.10.4 - Varbanov 205 | |
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Collection Weight: ? grams Diameter: ? mm |
Obverse: Bust of Gallus to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. Text: (B:) IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG (IMPERATOR CAESAR CAIVS VIBIVS TREBONIANVS GALLVS AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Caius Vibius Trebonianus Gallus Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion. Text: (a:) PMSC - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XIII (ANNO XIII) - year 13 (251/252). Remark: This Sestertius is the successor of the previous types and the obverse legend is different. This type has the correct legend TREB in TREBONIANUS in contrary to the next specimen. Also on this type the numerals I are getting smaller as they are placed more to the right. |
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| Sestertius ANNO XIII - 251/252 - Pick 164 - Martin 5.10.10 - Varbanov - (Verg. 206) | |
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Copyright Classical Numismatic Group Weight: 12,92 grams Diameter: 28 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Gallus to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. Tekst: (F:) IMP C C VIB TRIB GALLVS AVG (IMPERATOR CAESAR CAIVS VIBIVS TRIBONIANVS GALLVS AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Caius Vibius Tribonianus Gallus Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion. Text: (a:) PMSC - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XIII (ANNO XIII) - year 13 (251/252). Remark: Different portrait of Gallus, the obverse legend here is TRIB GALLVS. |
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| Sestertius ANNO XIII - 251/252 - Pick 164 - Martin 5.10.12 - Varbanov - (Verg. 206) | |
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Copyright Classical Numismatic Group Weight: 12,92 grams Diameter: 28 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Gallus to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. Tekst: (C:) IMP C C VIB TRIB GALLV AVG (IMPERATOR CAESAR CAIVS VIBIVS TRIBONIANVS GALLVS AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Caius Vibius Tribonianus Gallus Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion. Text: (a:) PMSC - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XIII (ANNO XIII) - year 13 (251/252). Remark: The legend on this sestertius is TRIB GALLV without the letter S. The numerals I are of equal size on this type. |
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| Sestertius ANNO XIII - 251/252 - Pick 165 - Martin 5.12.1 - Varbanov 207 | |
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Collection Colocoinex on Tantalus coin registry Weight: ? grams Diameter: ? mm |
Obverse: Bust of Gallus to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. Text: (D:) IMP C GALLVS P FELIX AVG (IMPERATOR CAIVS GALLVS PIVS FELIX AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Caius Gallus, dutiful and fortunate Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion. Text: (a:) PMSC - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XIII (ANNO XIII) - year 13 (251/252). Remark: The reverse legend is PMSC - OLVIM and ends correctly with VIM. |
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| Sestertius ANNO XIII - 251/252 - Pick 165 var. - Martin 5.12.11 - Varbanov 207 | |
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Collection Scottatlaw on Tantalus coin registry Weight: 11,20 grams Diameter: 28 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Gallus to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. Text: (D:) IMP C GALLVS P FELIX AVG (IMPERATOR CAIVS GALLVS PIVS FELIX AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Caius Gallus, dutiful and fortunate Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion. Text: (b:) PMS - COLVII (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XIII (ANNO XIII) - year 13 (251/252). Remark: The reverse legend on this specimen is PMS- COLVII. By moving the letter C to the right side of Moesia there was not enough space for a correct letter M. |
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| Sestertius ANNO XIII - 251/252 - Pick 165 var. - Martin 5.12 var. - Varbanov - (Verg. 207) | |
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Collection Scottatlaw on Tantalus coin registry Weight: 10,30 grams Diameter: 27 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Gallus to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. Text: (E:) IMP C GAILVS P FELIX AVG (IMPERATOR CAIVS GAILVS PIVS FELIX AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Caius Gallus, dutiful and fortunate Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion. Text: (a:) PMSC - OLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XIII (ANNO XIII) - year 13 (251/252). Remark: The obverse legend here is GAILVS in stead of GALLVS. The letters AN and the Roman numeral XIII in the exergue on the reverse are small. |
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AN XIV |
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| Sestertius ANNO XIV - 252/253 - Pick 168 - Martin 5.20.1 - Varbanov 209 | |
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Private collection Weight: 10,37 grams Diameter: 27,11 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Gallus to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. Text: (D:) IMP C GALLVS P FELIX AVG (IMPERATOR CAIVS GALLVS PIVS FELIX AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Caius Gallus, dutiful and fortunate Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion. Text: (c:) PMSC - OLVIII (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XIV (ANNO XIV) - year 14 (252/253). Remark: Probably an early issue from the year XIV. The reverse legend ends with VIII. |
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| Sestertius ANNO XIV - 252/253 - Pick 168 - Martin 5.20.2 - Varbanov 209 | |
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Collection Scottatlaw on Tantalus coin registry Weight: 9,46 grams Diameter: 26 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Gallus to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. Text: (D:) IMP C GALLVS P FELIX AVG (IMPERATOR CAIVS GALLVS PIVS FELIX AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Caius Gallus, dutiful and fortunate Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion. Text: (c:) PMSC - OLVIII (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XIV (ANNO XIV) - year 14 (252/253). Remark: A later issue from the year XIV with a more simplified portrait of Gallus. Here the reverse legend also ends with VIII. |
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| Sestertius ANNO XIV - 252/253 - Pick 168 - Martin 5.20.9 - Varbanov 209 | |
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Private collection Weight: 9,50 grams Diameter: 27,21 mm |
Obverse: Bust of Gallus to the right with laurel wreath, part of paludamentum (cloak, cape) visible on the shoulder worn over armoured breast plate. Text: (D:) IMP C GALLVS P FELIX AVG (IMPERATOR CAIVS GALLVS PIVS FELIX AVGVSTVS) - Emperor Caius Gallus, dutiful and fortunate Augustus. Reverse: Woman (Moesia) standing with head to the left holding her right hand over a bull and her left hand over a lion. Text: (d:) PMS - COLVIM (PROVINCIA MOESIA SVPERIOR COLONIA VIMINACIVM) - Province Moesia Superior Colony Viminacium. Exergue: AN XIV (ANNO XIV) - year 14 (252/253). Remark: A later issue from the year XIV with a more simplified portrait of Gallus. The legend break in the reverse text is different here, namely PMS - COLVIM. |
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