Gallo-Roman Empire (259-273 AD) antoninianus 259-268 n. Chr. Billon of Postumus , Cologne, Gallo-Roman Empire (RIC 318)

IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right / PAX AVG, Pax standing left with branch and sceptre. P in left field. Cologne mint. 20mm, 3.27 grams. RIC 318, RSC 215, Elmer 333; Sear 10966.

Postumus (r. 260–269 CE) was the founder and first ruler of the Gallic Empire, a breakaway state comprising Gaul, Britain, and, at times, Hispania during the Crisis of the Third Century. A capable military commander, he successfully defended the Rhine frontier against Germanic invasions while establishing an independent administration, senate, and coinage modeled on those of the Roman Empire. Although he never attempted to seize Rome itself, his regime brought relative stability to the western provinces. Postumus was murdered by his own troops in 269 CE after refusing to allow them to sack the city of Mainz following the suppression of a revolt.