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AURELIANUS (AURELIAN), 270-275 – AE Reduced Sestertius, Rome, 2nd half 274 AD
weight 6,94gr. ; bronze Ø 23mm.
obv. Laureate and cuirassed bust right, surrounded by the legend;
IMP AVRELIANVS AVG
rev. Aurelianus, in military attire standing left, holding sceptre in left hand
and clasping right hand with Severina standing right, in field above,
radiate bust of Sol right, surrounded by the legend; CONCORDIA AVG
Despite his preoccupation with military affairs, in 274 AD Aurelianus found time to undertake an important reform of the coinage which, under the immediate predecessors, had suffered a catastrophic decline. The reform of 274 AD saw an increase in the average weight of the antoninianus to about 3,85 grams and an improvement in its silver content to 4,5%. The reformed denominations also normally bore the mark of value XXI (or KA in Greek numerals at some mints), which is usually taken to mean that the coin was worth 1/20th of its equivalent weight in pure silver. Other denominations featured in Aurelianus′ reformed coinage of 274-275 AD were a smaller billon piece with laureate portrait, probably a denarius; a laureate bronze coin, usually regarded as a sestertius of reduced weight; and a larger radiate bronze, probably a reduced double sestertius.
Sear 11646 ; Cohen 35 ; RIC 80 ; MIR 145d
Attractive dark patina. Good portrait. Scarce.
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AURELIANUS (AURELIAN), 270-275 – AE Reduced Sestertius, Rome, 2nd half 274 AD
weight 6,22gr. ; bronze Ø 26mm.
obv. Laureate and cuirassed bust of Aurelianus right,
surrounded by the legend; IMP AVRELIANVS AVG
rev. Aurelianus, in military attire standing left, holding sceptre in left hand and
clasping right hand with Severina standing right, radiate bust of Sol right in
upper field between them, surrounded by the legend; CONCORDIA AVG
Despite his preoccupation with military affairs, in 274 AD Aurelianus found time to undertake an important reform of the coinage which, under the immediate predecessors, had suffered a catastrophic decline. The reform of 274 AD saw an increase in the average weight of the antoninianus to about 3,85 grams and an improvement in its silver content to 4,5%. The reformed denominations also normally bore the mark of value XXI (or KA in Greek numerals at some mints), which is usually taken to mean that the coin was worth 1/20th of its equivalent weight in pure silver. Other denominations featured in Aurelianus′ reformed coinage of 274-275 AD were a smaller billon piece with laureate portrait, probably a denarius; a laureate bronze coin, usually regarded as a sestertius of reduced weight; and a larger radiate bronze, probably a reduced double sestertius.
Sear 11646 ; Cohen 35 ; RIC 80 ; MIR 145 S
Minor traces of oxidation. Brown patina.
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AURELIANUS (AURELIAN), 270-275 - BI Antoninianus, Siscia (272)
weight 3,57gr. ; billon 21mm.
obv. Radiate and cuirassed bust right, surrounded by the legend;
IMP AVRELIANVS AVG
rev. Aurelian, standing right, receiving globe from Jupiter, standing left,
holding sceptre, surrounded by the legend; IOVI CONSER, in exergue; ✷S
Cohen 105 ; RIC 225 ; MIR 199l-2
Some minor weakness. Dark patina.
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AURELIANUS (AURELIAN), 270-275 - AV Aureus, Rome (274-275)
weight 4,41gr. ; gold Ø 21mm.
obv. Laureate and cuirassed bust right, surrounded by the legend;
IMP C L DOM AVRELIANVS P F AVG
rev. Mars, walking right, holding spear in right hand and trophy in
left hand; at his feet, captive, surrounded by the legend; VIRTVS AVG
This coin clearly propagates Aurelian′s military successes from 272-273 AD, which he achieved in Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Asia Minor, thereby ending the Palmyrene Empire. In 274, the victorious emperor returned to Rome. Earlier, in the late summer of 272 AD, Aurelianus already had received the honorific from the Senate; Restitutor Orbis ("Restorer of the World").
Wonderful coin with excellent details, about as struck, of great style.
Very rare.
Cohen 269var. ; RIC 15 ; MIR 127q ; Calicó 4048 RR
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AURELIANUS & VABALATHUS “King of Palmyra” - EGYPT - BI Tetradrachm, year 1 and year 4 (270), Alexandria
weight 10,69gr. ; billon Ø 20mm.
obv. Laureate bust of Aurelianus right
AVT KΛ Δ AVPHΛIANOC CЄB, in field L - A
rev. Laureate bust of Vabalathus right
IAC OVABAΛΛAΘOC AΘHNOV AVT CP, in field L - Δ
Lucius Julius Aurelius Septimius Vaballathus Athenodorus (circa 259 – 274 AD) was a king of the Palmyrene Empire centered at Palmyra, Syria, who came to power as a child, ruling with his regent, his mother Queen Zenobia, who led a revolt against Rome and formed the independent Palmyrene Empire. The recently independent Palmyra lasted for three years, until the Romans took action, and conquered all Palmyrene land, which included most of Rome′s eastern provinces, including Lower Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Arabia, Asia Minor and Lebanon.
BMC 2384 ; Dattari 5422 ; SNG.Copenhagen 899 ;
Förschner 1178-1179var. ; Milne 4308 ;
Cologne (Geissen) 3054 ; Sear 11720
Very attractive coin with good detailed portraits.
Rare in this excellent condition.
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TACITUS, 275-276 - BI Antoninianus, Ticinum (first half 276)
weight 4,36gr. ; billon Ø 21mm.
obv. Radiate bust of Tacitus right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum,
surrounded by the legend; IMP C M CL TACITVS AVG
rev. Roma, helmeted, draped, seated left on shield, holding Victory in right
hand and sceptre in left hand, Q in exergue, surrounded by the legend;
ROMAE AETER
Cohen 110 ; RIC 156 ; Sear 11804
minor traces of oxidation
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FLORIANUS, June - Augustus/September 276 - BI Antoninianus, Kyzikus
weight 4,36gr. ; billon Ø 22mm.
obv. Radiate bust of Florianus right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum,
surrounded by the legend; IMP FLORIANVS AVG
rev. Victory, winged, draped, standing right, holding palm, presenting
wreath to Florianus, standing left, holding sceptre, S in exergue,
surrounded by the legend; CONCORDIA MILITVM
Cohen 15 ; RIC 116 ; Hunter 20 ; Sear 11853 S
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PROBUS, 276-282 - BI Antoninianus, Siscia (280)
weight 3,90gr. ; billon Ø 22mm.
obv. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Probus right,
surrounded by the legend; IMP C PROBVS P F AVG
rev. Pax, draped, standing left, holding olive-branch in right
hand and sceptre in left hand, Q in right field, XXI in exergue,
surrounded by the legend; PAX AVGVSTI
With value mark XXI, which means that the coin was
worth 1/20 of its equivalent weight in pure silver.
Cohen 420 ; RIC 712 ; Sear12001var.
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PROBUS, 276-282 - BI Antoninianus, Serdica (277)
weight 3,34gr. ; billon 23mm.
obv. Helmeted, radiate and cuirassed bust of Probus left, holding spear in
right hand over shoulder and shield in left, surrounded by the legend;
IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG
rev. Probus, in military attire, on horseback galloping right, thrusting spear
at enemy beneath his horse, KAB in exergue, surrounded by the legend;
VIRTVS PROBI AVG.
Cohen 912 ; RIC 878 ; Sear-
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PROBUS, 276-282 - BI Antoninianus, Serdica (277)
weight 3,96gr. ; billon 22mm.
obv. Helmeted, radiate and cuirassed bust of Probus left, holding spear in
right hand over shoulder and shield in left, surrounded by the legend;
IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG
rev. Probus, in military attire, on horseback pacing left, raising right hand and
holding sceptre in left, captive seated on ground before horse, KA•Γ• in exergue,
surrounded by the legend; VIRTVS PROBI AVG
Cohen 927 ; RIC 888 ; Sear- (cf. 12075)
Minor traces of oxidation on reverse, otherwise very attractive coin with fine details.
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CARUS, 282-283 - AV Aureus, unidentified eastern Mint (first half 283)
weight 4,57gr. ; gold Ø 20mm.
obv. Laureate and cuirassed bust of Carus right, surrounded by the legend;
IMP C M AVR CARVS P A
rev. Victory, winged, draped, advancing left, holding wreath in right hand
and palm in left hand, surrounded by the legend; IИDVLGENTIA AVG
Carus was born around the year 222 in Narbo, Gallia Narbonensis which is located in modern day southern France. At some point in his youth he moved to Rome to be educated there, indicting his family was of some status or wealth. He served as a senator prior and presumably some military roles before being appointed as Praetorian Prefect in 282 by Emperor Probus.
Carus accompanied Probus on his campaign in the East of the Roman Empire. However before any real progress had been made, Carus was possibly declared Emperor by the troops, who subsequently murdered Probus at Sirmium in the autumn of 282, ending his reign. It is not known how much involvement, if any, Carus had in this plot. Whether reluctantly or not, Carus assumed the position of Roman Emperor. Carus immediately granted his sons, Carinus and Numerianus, the title of Caesar, effectively making them junior emperors. It is likely Carus was trying to make the foundations of a dynasty that would rule for some time. His sons had limited power and responsibility while acting as Caesars, and would only come to true power in the event of Carus′ death or if they were elevated to co-Emperor. Carinus was charged with maintaining order in the West while Numerianus accompanied Carus on their campaign in the East, that had been started by Probus. It is unknown what the result of this campaign was as no sources detail any major events taking place.
The main object of his reign was the Persian war which had been prepared by his predecessor. Having defeated the Sarmatians and the Quadi, a Germanic people on the Danube, he marched against the Persians in early 283. The Persian king, Wahrām II was vanquished and the Sasanid capital Ctesiphon and Seleucia captured. Further advances to the east were not successful. At this height of his triumph, at the end of July 283, Carus suddenly was found dead in his tent during a violent thunderstorm, which made an end of his ten months′ rule, and the Romans retreated. Officially it was said he was killed by a stroke of lightning during a storm, but more probably he was assassinated. Some sources claim he died from a wound received while fighting the Persians or that one of his own soldiers murdered him under the orders of Lucius Flavius Aper, the Praetorian Prefect. The real cause of Carus′ death may never be known for sure. Peace was concluded, and Wahrām, who was away quelling a revolt in the eastern provinces, surrendered the supremacy of Armenia and Mesopotamia to the Romans.
After the death of Carus his two sons were acknowledged as Roman emperors: the younger, Numerianus, as ruler of the east, and the elder, Carinus, of the west. The transition of power from Carus to his sons, Numerianus and Carinus, was smooth and without hindrance from any opposing forces. This suggests that perhaps Carus did indeed died from natural causes, and no plot to kill him ever existed. Numerianus died after a short time and was succeeded by Diocletianus, who in turn defeated Carinus (285) and became absolute ruler of the entire empire.
This highly interesting issue certainly must be related to Carus′ campaign in the East. Probably it was struck in a moving military Mint in Syria, Mesopotamia or Persia. This explains the somewhat sloppy and primitive style of the coin. This coin is the only known piece and it is therefore a unique piece.
provenance;
ex. Auktion Ars Classica XVIII, Luzern 1938, nr. 468
(der Sammlung Vicomte Louis Edmond Paul de Sartiges)
ex. Auktion Jacob Hirsch XXVI, München 1910, Nr. 804
Cohen - ; RIC 130 (this coin) ; Calicó 4265 (this coin) RRRR
Wonderful lustrous coin. Nearly as struck.
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