Clodinus Albinus as Augustus AD 195-196 Silver Denarius

Clodinus Albinus Silver Denarius 195-196AD as Augustus

Bare head of Clodius Albinus/Minerva standing left resting on shield.

RCV 6144.  16x18mm, 2.50g Lugdunum

Clodius Albinus, of African noble decent, was a usurper who was proclaimed emperor by the legions in Britain and Hispania following the murder of Pertinax in 193AD (the ‘Year of the Five Emperors’), he was defeated by Septimius Severus’ troops near Lyon in 196AD.

Clodius Albinus, along with Septimius Severus, were natives of North Africa. Born into a prominent family he joined the military where he served with distinction under Marcus Aurelius and Commodus. Serving his first consulship in AD 187 he was afterwards appointed governor of Lower Germany and later of Britain. When Pescenius Niger prepared for his showdown with Septimius Severus Albinus joined forces with Severus accepting the junior rank as Caesar. Although he was later to rebel and proclaim himself Augustus Severus had by this time decided that he wanted to promote his own son Caracalla thus making Albinus’ position untenable. The issue was decided in AD 196 when Severus decisively beat Albinus in a battle fought near Lugdunum in Gaul. Albinus perished but was later beheaded and his head put on display in Rome.