Ancients: Aurelian the bodybuilder

http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/aurelian.html

It has been a long time since I posted a page on Aurelian but my auction winnings included a coin I had been wanting. When we think of obverse varieties, we usually thing of Probus but Aurelian has a few oddities including this really broad shouldered portrait from Siscia (I believe). The reverse is a common Concordia Militum but the coin becomes special due to the obverse. I am unclear on the exact dating since most of the broad portraits seem to be quoted as issue 6 in 274 AD but the V* mintmark seems to be issue 7. I do not have a better reference book than RIC so am relying on online sources. I would appreciate opinions on the proper attribution of this Aurelian.

The coin is oval 27x22mm with an edge split that may be why I was able to win it. These usually sell for a premium and this one is pretty high grade except for the flan irregularity.

 

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Interesting coin Doug! :thumb:

 

I surely would have over looked this coin, until now!

 

Here lies the question: Is there any reason not to overlook such things? Would you pay more for this coin than for an otherwise identical coin (reverse and condition) with normal portrait? As we collect for a longer time we may develop different interests and attitudes. Below is a similar V* mintmark coin I bought years ago and thought was pretty nice. There is even another with different mintmark so I guess now I need three. Are they sufficiently different that it is reasonable to own them all? An Aurelian specialist may have a hundred variations on this reverse. I am more likely to have 500 $50 Aurelian coins (average price, some more some less) than one $25000 low grade EID MAR or high grade aureus but, for now, I'm content having 25 Aurelians (probably averaging under $25).

 

Now that I see these other Aurelian coins I understand why you called him "the bodybuilder." The artist did a good job of bulking him up. Nice coins doug!

 

My examples of "Buffed Out" and "Wimpy" Aurelian.

 

With ancients, it's easier or us to make up the rules for what/how to collect Between the beefcake Aurelian and the other later 2, I see a big difference (no pun intended) and wouldn't be opposed to owning both types, but not enough between the later two. Though I'm completely opposite when it comes to FH.


I have 2 coins of Maximianus that I would consider duplicates ( even though they are not) but I kept them both because they look very different.

 

Here are two examples from my collection:

 

Ive owned two and this is the one ive kept. Nothing special.


Aurelian (270 - 275 A.D.)
Æ Antoninianus
O: IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG, Radiate and cuirassed bust right.
R: ORIENS AVG , Sol advancing left, raising right hand, globe in left, flanked by two captives at feet, txxt in ex
Ticinum Mint 2nd Emission. 3rd Officina
3.81g
RIC 151

 

Looks like it should be 7th issue, phase 3, spring 274. The forthcoming RIC does not list one with this impressive bust type. See the normal issue here: http://www.ric.mom.fr/en/coin/2318

You should contact Estiot and Mairat and submit this coin.

 

some amazing aurulain neck variation here on this thread!

 

Looks like my version is taken just prior to Aurelian starting his "steroid routine" ... he must have looked into the mirror and decided that his shoulders needed to buff-out so that they'd match his abnormally long neck!!?






Aurelian, AE Silvered Antoninianus
Cyzicus Mint
272-274 AD
Diameter: 22 mm
Weight: 3.70 grams
Obverse: IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG, radiate cuirassed bust right
Reverse: RESTITVTOR ORBIS, woman standing right, presenting wreath to Aurelian standing opposite, A in exergue

 

Long necks were considered regal in several periods of history. Steve's coin also is an interesting (to me) example of another point. The reverse legend is RESTITVTORBIS which is short for RESTITVTOR ORBIS. They exist spelled out but more are abbreviated. The oddity comes in the spacing. This is unusual with RESTITVTO RBIS. This highlights the fact that the OR is used by both words. RESTITVT ORBIS would make it more obvious that the OR is removed from the first word but I don't have one of these to show. Do you? Anyone? Harder to read is RESTITVTOR BIS since my modern eye feels it used the OR on the first word so I'm looking for a meaning for BIS without the OR. I believe the problem here is I am using those modern 'eyes' while the dies were cut in a culture that did not attach importance to word spacing to the level we do. Beginning Latin teaches that the Romans did not space words but that is a bit of an overstatement if you look at the number of coins that do break legends at word boundaries. Certainly they did not make the big thing of it we do.

Bis is Latin for twice. When I see RESTITVTOR BIS I want to read 'Restorer for the second time' rather than 'Restorer of the World'. What I would love to know is if the man on the street in the 270's would have seen this double meaning or if that is a fabrication of the modern imagination. Many collectors of ancient coins will never care about such questions but the material is there for those who decide to study whys and hows rather than just fill holes in an album.

 

This is a great question!

 

Then these Burmese gals had to rule the roost, fer sure.
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en...8.489.9.9.0...0.0.0..1ac.1.17.img.87ddekGVTxs

 

Doug's Aurelian that inspired this thread is wonderful. Often we like good facial features on the portrait, but long ago I bought this one for the size of the bust. Proportionally, the head alone is rather small compared to most pieces of Aurelian.

 

On the subject of the neck, thats one of the big things I didnt like about my first one....it was due to the long neck. It looked like a giraffe and I couldnt get past it. To this day I am not a fan of the big necks.

 

Nice coins all. I really enjoy learning more about these coins as I read through threads of some of the more experienced collectors.


My only example of an Aurelian is this clipped Antoninianus which I believe is a variation of RIC 48.


Aurelian; 272-274 AD
AE Antoninianus, Rome
OBV: IMP AVRELIANVS AVG, radiate cuirassed bust right
REV: IOVI CONSERV, Jupiter on right & facing left, presents globe to Aurelian opposite (RIC 48)

 

Here is an Aurelian I recently picked up that I have enjoyed learning about.


Aurelian (270-275), Æ2 Post-Reform Antoninianus. Siscia, Officina 4 AD 272-274.
Obv: IMP AVRELIANVS AVG - Radiate, cuirassed bust right.
Rev: CONCORDIA MILITVM - Emperor standing right clasping hand of concordia.
*Q in exergue. 22.5mm, 3.408g
RIC V, Part I SISCIA 216

--
Forgive me for not knowing what the protocol is for bumping older posts, but there is good information in this thread and I thoroughly read the information @dougsmit 's site.

As an aside: I did bump an older thread on Mesembria Thrace and got a few likes but no comments, which is ok, but really just wondering if a bump is preferred rather than a whole new thread.

 

Either way is fine. I generally start a new thread, but I also like seeing the old ones pop up once in a while.
BTW, that's a nice portrait of the old bugger. Love the long neck.