Priscus Attalus, first reign, 409-410. Siliqua (Silver, 18 mm, 2.18 g, 6 h), Rome. PRISCVS ATTALVS P F AVG Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Priscus Attalus to right. Rev. INVICTA RONA AETERNA / PST Roma seated left, holding Victory on globe in her right hand and inverted spear in her left; in field to left, star. RIC 1412. Of the highest rarity, a beautifully toned example of this important issue. Edge crack and the flan heavily bent, otherwise, very fine.


Ex Roma 13, 23 March 2017, 997 corr. (reverse legend misdescribed).

Priscus Attalus was a praefectus urbi who was appointed emperor by Alaric in 409 in an attempt to strengthen the Visigothic bargaining power in their negotiations with Honorius in Ravenna. However, the usurper was disposed by the Goths in 410 when he refused to wage war against the comes Heraclianus in Africa, who cut of Rome from grain supply. A few years later, Priscus was once again put on the throne by Alaric's successor Athaulf, but his luck run out in 416, when he was handed out to Honorius, who had two of his fingers cut of and exiled him to the Aeolian Islands.