My latest addition which I found interesting. 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 RIC-381 20mm 3.3g
This is one of the few Ancient coins I really would like to buy. My interest in Ancient history becomes most passionate when discussing the events around the crisis of the third century. This coin, I think, most epitomizes this turbulent century. This coin depicts a son (Vabalathus) of a rogue empress (Zenobia) with a futile attempt to gain favor of the ruling emperor (Aurelianus). A much respected numismatist feels that this coin was minted with at least the tacit permission of Aurelianus. I diagree, however, since Antioch (the place were this coin was minted) was under the influence of Zenobia and her breakaway Palmyrene empire of the East. Until I see similar coins having been minted in Rome, I remain a skeptic. Good stuff, :thumb: guy
It is good to see the photo presented properly with Aurelian on the reverse. As mentioned, the mint was in the control of Vabalathus so he got the obverse and Aurelian shared the reverse with the workshop letter (A? here almost off flan). What I consider a cool addition here is the Tetradrachm of Alexandria (also under Palmyrian control) that is double dated year 4 (L delta) for Vabalathus and year 1 ( L A) for Aurelian.
Beautiful example, I have noticed the majority of these coin in general seem to have a sandy patina, why is that? is it due to Syria Palaestina & Egypt?
Ancient Doug: That really is a great peice of history. Vabalathus's father, Odaenathus, was King of the Palmyrene empire. He was assassinated in AD 267. Zenobia then made her one year old son Vabalathus the ruler of the emperor. (This, of course, made Zenobia the regent and de facto ruler of the empire.) Aurelian was the recognized Roman emperor AD 270-275. The dates on the coin would coincide with the known history. For me, Zenobia's history is far more interesting than Cleopatra's (an earlier rogue Eastern queen). Great coin, Ancient Doug guy
The most interesting part to me is that Aurelian defeated Zenobia and took her back to Rome as a captive. Vaballathus died on the way. Aurelian then gave her a villa and allowed her to live out her life as a Roman. At first thought, I wondered if the death of her son might have reduced her ambitions and she might have realized that living as a ranking Roman might be better than dying as a foreign queen. However Aurelian did the same thing with Tetricus I and II even giving the father a position in the government. Perhaps Aurelian was cut from different cloth than most of his kind. I also note that we have no historical record of either of these two breaking their peace with Aurelian or any who came after him. They may have been killed by Probus, they may have died of disease while Aurelian still reigned...we just don't know. Hollywood has missed the boat on this one. There is at least one good movie plot here.
You had mentioned the same thing in regards to Maesa. I also agree with you. History has alot of events that would make for some decent movie watching but as Chris pointed out, the average person doesnt know Elagabalus, Zenobia, or Tetricus so it seems we get stuck with the usual Julius Caesar and fictional gladiator stuff. I will admit I had no idea who Vabalathus was or the history involved. I rarely see the coins up for sale nor did I go out of my way looking for them. So this coin has opened my eyes a bit to reading more about this time & acquiring more coins later down the line. I am just usually put off by the condition on the majority of these. Shame Zenobia coins are nearly non existent.
Are they? I could have sworn I have seen them for sale, just never knew they were supposed to be scarce.
Look at the former CNG offerings... http://www.cngcoins.com/Search.aspx...R_TYPE_ID_2=1&SEARCH_IN_CONTAINER_TYPE_ID_4=1
Cool, thanks for the update. I had seen coins of both, but since weren't interested in them I guess I never paid attention to how much they went for. Always cool to learn new things, (of which I am sure I always will collecting ancients. ) Chris
Neither the Antioch nor the Alexandria coins are rare but some dealers ask a premium for them because of the two headed design. The CNG link provoded above shows that the coins of Zenobia alone are the ones to watch for in junk boxes. Did anyone notice the spelling of the boy's name is different on each coin. With Aurelian he is Vabalathus but when striking alone at Antioch he was Vhabalathus. At Alexandria the Greek form has a double lambda Vaballathus. Of course not all coins of Alexandria are easy to read but you can count the letter bumps and see that is the case. Trivia: Other than Vabalathus, what other Romans on coins are known for spelling their names more than one way? Different abbreviations don't count.
Good pick up. I imagine that part of the problem was that Vabalathus was the Latinized form of his Arabic name Wahb Allat. (source: Wikipedia, for whatever that is worth ld-guy-smile Not the answer you were searching for, but: :smile The Alexandrian and Antioch mint coins use the Greek names instead of the Latin ones. Here are just two examples of many, I'm sure: Probus Potin Tetradrachm of Alexandria. Year 3 = 277-278 AD. A K M AVP PPO-BOC CEB, laureate, cuirassed bust right / LG, Eirene standing left holding olive branch and sceptre: Philip I, potin tetradrachm Alexandria, 245-246 AD (Year 3). 12.52 g. A K M IOU FILIPPOC EU CEB, laureate, cuirassed bust right / L-G, Asklepios standing left by altar, holding patera and serpent-entwined staff. Dattari 4861. BMC 1953. Milne 3586 Coins and images from wildwinds.com guy
I'm sure many people recognize this coin (despite the spelling): Here's his Eastern friend: Not my coins, however guy
...but this is a normal spelling in Greek. I'm asking for the people who changed letters not languages. The Greek legend Vaballathus doubled the L compared to the Latin. I guess no one has this?
