Postumus Roman AE – Gallic Empire (AD 260–269) – South Petherton Hoard – NGC Certified

Own a certified Roman bronze coin of Postumus, founder of the breakaway Gallic Empire, authenticated and slabbed by NGC. This particular piece comes from the South Petherton Hoard, a significant find that sheds light on a turbulent and fragmented period of Roman history.

Postumus was born of common stock in an outpost of the Empire, likely in the region of Germania or Gaul. Rising through the ranks of the military, he ultimately commanded Roman forces "among the Celts"—territories that today include France, Belgium, Holland, and England. In AD 260, amid the chaos of the Third Century Crisis, Postumus declared himself emperor of the western provinces, effectively seceding from Rome.

His reign brought a measure of stability to the troubled western provinces. Postumus successfully defended his domain from Germanic invasions and maintained a semblance of Roman governance, issuing his own coinage and establishing parallel imperial institutions.

Coins of Postumus typically feature his bearded bust on the obverse, often wearing radiate crowns symbolizing imperial power, with reverses depicting deities, personifications of victory, or military themes.

The South Petherton Hoard, discovered in England, yielded a rich collection of 3rd-century Roman coins, providing vital insight into the Gallic Empire's economic and military reach into Britain.

Certified by NGC, this bronze coin from Postumus offers collectors a tangible piece of a breakaway empire—an emblem of resilience and regional power during Rome’s most chaotic century.