Olybrius
Imperator Caesar Anicius Olybrius Augustus
Anicius Olybrius was a Roman aristocrat married to Valentinian III's daughter Placidia, a dynastic connection that gave him a claim to the throne. Ricimer installed him as emperor in April 472 to replace Anthemius, whom he had just killed. Ricimer himself died of a haemorrhage three weeks after installing Olybrius. Olybrius reigned for only a few months before dying of oedema (dropsy), leaving the western throne once again vacant.
Olybrius is one of the most obscure western emperors, remembered chiefly for the dynastically significant connections of his wife. His coins are genuine rarities and significant acquisitions for collectors specialising in the final western period.
Key Events
Coinage
The coinage of Olybrius is extremely rare, one of the rarest in the standard western sequence. Only solidi and tremisses are known with any regularity. His monogram reverses (a late western innovation) are among the primary identifiers.
Denominations
Notable Types
- Monogram reverse types
- VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM types
Common Reverses
Active Mints
Related Resources
Further Reading
- Roman Imperial Coinage, Volume X,
- Roman Coins and Their Values, Volume V,