I recently picked up a nice Antoninianus of the 'usurper' Vabalathus. Vabalathus and Aurelian. 271/272 AD. Antoninianus. AE22.8mm., 3.41gm. Obv: VABALATHVS VCRIM DR, laureate, draped bust of Vabalathus right Rev: IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG, radiate, cuirassed bust of Aurelian right. Officina letter Epsilon below. Mint: Antioch. RIC 381. Cohen 1; Sear 11718. Please share your Vabalathus coins.
Here's mine. Not much to add except that there does not appear to be any agreement about which side is the obverse and which is the reverse. Vabalathus King, A.D.267-270/1 Augustus, A.D. 270/1-272 Billon Antoninianus Antioch mint Obv: VABALATHVS VCRIMDR - Laurate bust of Valabathus, draped Rev: IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG - Radiate bust of Aurelian, cuirassed A in exergue RIC (Aurelian) 381 20mm, 3.9g. So far we have officinas E, S and A represented. Can we come up with all 9? And does anyone have an exclusive Vabalathus example?
VABALATHUS: Why did Aurelian waste his time on this guy and Mommy? RI Vabalathus 271-272 CE and Aurelian AE Ant
Well, they did show up in Aurelian's triumph and I believe both Vabalathus' and Zenobia's lives were spared. Kind of uncommon for the third century. Here's mine.
Vabalathus (270 - 275 A.D.) AE Antoninianus O: VABALATHVS V CRIMDR, Laureate and draped bust right. R: IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG, Radiate and draped bust right. Antioch 20mm 3.3g RIC-381
Outside of the "Augustan Histories" are there any sources for the reign of Aurelian? This was a time of terrific upset - too bad not much has survived.