Roman Imperial Florian coins
Emperor Marcus Annius Florianus (276)
Florian is considered to be the brother of
Emperor Tacitus, who made him prefect of the Praetorium.
Together they went on a campaign against the Goths in Asia
Minor. Soon Tacitus died and Florian, having learned about it,
proclaimed himself emperor, either personally or with the
knowledge of the Senate. Judging by the fact that his coins were
minted at the western mints in Rome, Lugdun, Siscia and Ticinus
he was recognized by most of the empire.
But Syria and Egypt supported their challenger, Probus. Florian
with his army marched towards the enemy and overtook him near
the city of Tarsus (Tarsus in the south of present-day Turkey).
Prob avoided the battle until many of Florian's European
soldiers, unaccustomed to the hot climate, died of disease.
Those who remained, tired of hardship, killed Florian and
surrendered to Probus. It is quite possible that the new emperor
himself somehow participated in it, but, naturally, his
biographers are silent about it.
Florian ruled for only about two months, but his coins issued
surprisingly many.
IMP FLORIANVS AVG
CONCORDIA MILITVM
Antoninianus 276
silver plated copper
22 mm.
Bust in draped armor and radiate crown right / Emperor Florianus Augustus
Florianus standing left holding scepter, Victory left places on him wreath, in other hand holds palm / Concordia of Army
Value - $50-70