Roman and Palmyrene Empires Billon Antoninianus, 20mm, 3.7g Antioch mint, 5th officina, AD 270-271 Obverse: IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG Reverse: VABALATHVS V C R IM D R Radiate and cuirassed bust of Aurelian right Laureate diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Vabalathus right I just won this coin from @ John Anthony's auction. Feel free to post your Vabalathus coins here.
Nice addition. Have this Ant., need a Tet still. 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
Nice one. Saw it and considered it, but too much money spent on coins made it impossible. Lucky you ! Vabalathus, Antoninianus minted in Antioch, 8th officina, AD 271-272 VABALATHVS V C R IM D R, Draped, laureate and diademed bust of Vabalathus right IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG, Radiate and cuirassed bust of Aurelianus right. H at exergue 2.45 gr Ref : Cohen #1, RCV # 11718 Q
Surely this coin is a commemoration of the destruction of the rebellious Palymerene Empire, but perhaps the prone figure (much different from the normal captive) represents Vabalathus. Aurelian A.D. 274- 275 20x23mm 4.1gm IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG; radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. CONSERVAT AVG; Sol walking right, holding sceptre and globe and trampling on recumbent captive in Oriental dress. In ex. XXI RIC V Antioch 383
Technically speaking, Aurelian is on the reverse. The Antioch mint was under control of King Vabalathus and the officina letter is on the reverse of antoniniani by convention. The Alexandrian tetradrachm is unusual in that the two sides are dated separately for the two rulers. Mine is year 4 over year 1. 5 and 2 exists. As usual Greek euphonics did not like words beginning with V so the name is started OV. You see the same thing with Vespasian and Valerian issues.
Nice coins all, thanks for the follow-up posts. I've been really enjoying the pics and commentary from you all. This acquisition filled a hole in my collection. I'm thinking of picking up a few more coins from the rebellious parts of the empire from the 3rd century. I noticed an Aemilianus ant somewhere in an auction with a starting bid of 600 euros. While not as rare, this Vabalathus coin was procured for a very good price, so I am delighted.
New purchase from Frank's auction. Seller's photo, so they are a little low-res: Vabalathus, AD 270-272 Roman billon antoninianus, ? gm, ? mm Antioch, late AD 270-spring 272 Obv: VABALATHVS V C R IMP D R, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Vabalathus, right Rev: IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust of Aurelian right; officina mark Є below Refs: RIC 381; CBN 1248; Cohen 1; MIR 353; RCV 11718 Sear notes: The curious obverse legend has been variously interpreted by scholars, but the most likely expansion of Vabalathus' titles appears to be "Vir Clarissimus, Rex, Imperator, Dux Romanorum".* The placing of the officina mark below the bust of Aurelian is a clear indication that this was to be regarded as the reverse side of the coin. *This is translated (by me) as The Illustrious, King, Emperor, Roman Commander.
Aurelian/Vabalathus Region, City: Egypt, Alexandria Coin: Bronze Tetradrachm A K Λ ΔOM AVPHΛIANOC CEB - Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right of Aurelian l-b in fields I A Σ OVABAΛΛAΘOC AΘN V A Σ P - Laureate, diademed, draped bust right of Vabalathus L [-] E (yr. 5) in fields Mint: (271-272 AD) Wt./Size: 9.05g / 20mm References: Milne 4330 Emmett 3914 Köln 3059
