Roman Imperial Coinage - RIC 4c, Silbannacus (ca.244/248 AD)

RIC 4c

Gordian to Uranius Antoninus

Silbannacus (ca.244/248 AD)

Mar. Silbannacus is a mysterious figure believed to have been an usurper in the Roman Empire during the time of Philip the Arab (244-249), or between the fall of Aemilianus and the rise to power of Valerian.

Silbannacus had been known only from a single coin, an antoninianus reputedly found in Lorraine, and is now at the British Museum. This coin has an obverse with the portraint of the usurper and the legend IMP MAR SILBANNACVS AVG, the reverse shows Mercury holding a Victoria and a caduceus, with VICTORIA AVG as legend.

The name Silbannacus shows a Celtic origin, the "-acus" suffix; given the location of the coin, Silbannacus could have been a military commander in Germania Superior. It is possible he revolted against Philip, with his revolt ending under Emperor Decius, since Eutropius (ix.4) reports of a bellum civile suppressed in Gaul during this emperor rule.

A second antoninianus has been published in 1996, bearing the shortened legend MARTI PROPVGT. According to the style, the coin was coined in Rome; since the shortened legend is present on Aemilianus coins, in 253, Silbannacus might have prevailed here during the march of Valerian on Rome. An interpretation of this facts leads to Silbannacus being an officer who was left in garrison in Rome while his emperor, Aemilianus, left to face his rival Valerian. After the defeat and the death of Aemilianus in September 253, Silbannacus would have tried to become emperor with the support of the troops confined in Rome, thus controlling the monetary workshop, before being quickly eliminated by Valerian and Gallienus.

Catalogue:
Gordian III and Tranquillina (238-244 AD)

Philip I, II and Otacilia Severa (244-249 AD)

Pacatian (248-249 AD)

Jotapian (248-249 AD)

Silbannacus (ca.244/248 AD)

Sponsianus (?)

Trajan Decius, H.Etruscilla, H.Etruscus and Hostilian (249-251 AD)

Trebonianus Gallus and Volusian (251-253 AD)

Aemilian and Cornelia Supera (253 AD)

Uranius Antoninus (253-254 AD)

RIC #	Picture	Description	Rarity
AR antoninianus - RIC 4c, 1		M.Silbannacus (ca.244/248 AD), AR antoninianus, IMP MAR SILBANNACVS AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right / VICTORIA AVG, Mercury standing, facing, holding Victory and caduceus (Image of the plaster mold taken from the BM coin)
AR antoninianus - RIC 4c, - (?)	No image	M.Silbannacus (ca.244/248 AD), AR antoninianus, IMP MAR SILBANNACVS AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right / MARTI PROPVGT, Mars standing left, holding shield and spear.