A small pick-up that RIC considers scarce. I realize that rarity ratings in RIC only refer to the coins sampled by the authors, but a quick perusal of the market suggests that it may indeed be so. This reverse type (Concordia holding two standards) appears on quite a few antoniniani of Severina, but only on a few of Aurelian, and I did not come across another with the officina mark S. RIC catalogs this coin in the first, pre-reform period, of which it says... It would appear that my piece was minted toward the end of Period 1, a foreshadowing of the reform coinage. Aurelian AE Antoninianus, 20mm, 3.5g, Siscia mint Obv.: IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG; radiate and draped bust right Rev.: CONCORDIA MILI; Concordia standing half left, holding two standards / S Reference: RIC V(a) Aurelian 193 (p. 286)
I don't have this type either. Although the obverse is weak, the detail on the reverse is pretty nice. Congrats.
It's the other way around more often. It's also got enough silvering left to imbue it with some distinctive color.
Sweet pick-up, JA (congrats) ... sadly, I don't have one of dem rare-babies!! => this long-necked example is my only Aurelian offering ... .... oh and nice monkey, TIF
That's an excellent coin, Steve. I've seen a few of those varieties with such long necks that poor Aurelian looks like a giraffe. What was up with that?
Nice, I dont see this type often at all. I see it on severina all the time though, as mentioned. Nice additon. My common type.
I agree with John... I love the color on that coin, Bing. But why is there a lituus stuck onto the side of Aurelian's head? Looks like something belongs on TIF's 'totally looks like' thread...
Here's my longest necked Auelian - an as with a CONCORDIA reverse featuring the emperor and his wife with a bust of Sol between them. Not sure if he looks quite like a giraffe, but some kind of animal certainly. Z.
While not a 100% trustworthy source Aurelius Victor mentions a Roman moneyers' revolt in the early time of Aurelian. He says it was put down harshly. We then see a great improvement in the quality of the coins suggesting that the mint cleaned up its act after the revolt. We see that the mint had not been all that professional since Gallienus when we look at our coins. To me, a coin of the first Aurelian, pre-revolt period is a nice thing to have because of the was it relates to written history.
