I got this nice Aurelian in the mail a few days ago as my first purchase of 2019. I think the silvering is particularly nice, much of it remains and it's a nice and even coat as well. I also tried something new presentation-wise, hope you guys like it!
I like them both, coin and presentation. I probably would omit the RIC number since that volume of RIC is among the most dated and you might be faced with the need to edit those references sooner than you want. I still prefer black backgrounds but like yours much, much better than white or pseudo-reflections so fashionable now. Thanks for sharing. Ticinum mint coins of this period are unusual in the way they indicated the 20 parts base metal to one part silver alloy usually seen as XXI. They dropped the I and replaced it with the T initial of the city. Your coin was struck by the Q=quarta=4th workshop. My PXXT was from the P=prima=first workshop. Each mint did these things in their own way.
Lovely coin and nice presentation. I second @dougsmit 's advice to use a different catalog to reference this coin. For Aurelian, the NEW AND IMPROVED online MER - RIC is the way to go! This, for example, is the listing for your coin. This is my latest Aurelian acquisition: Aurelian AD 270-275. Roman silvered billon Antoninianus, 3.60 gm, 21.7 mm, 6 h. Rome mint, officina 9, issue 11, early – September AD 275. Obv: IMP AVRELIANVS AVG, radiate, cuirassed bust, right. Rev: ORIE-N-S AVG, Sol walking r., holding olive branch in r. hand and bow in l. hand, l. foot resting on a captive in oriental dress kneeling on the ground to r., head turned l., r. hand raised; * in left field, XXIR in exergue. Refs: MER/RIC temp 1834; RCV 11569; La Venera 1321-32.
Nice new OP coin @Guilder Pincher. I've always liked Aurelian coins. AURELIAN Antoninianus OBVERSE: IMP AVRELIANVS AVG, radiate cuirassed bust right REVERSE: IOVI CONSER, emperor standing right, holding short sceptre, receiving globe from Jupiter, standing left, holding long sceptre. Q in ex Struck at Siscia, 272-4 AD 3.5g, 20mm RIC V 225
A nice example, I too like the background used. Aurelian (270 - 275 A.D.) Æ(S) Antoninianus O: IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG, Radiate and cuirassed bust right. R: RESTITVTOR ORBIS, woman standing right, presenting wreath to Aurelian standing left, leaning on sceptre, suppliant captive between them. * Δ in exergue. 4.2mm 21mm RIC V-1, Cyzicus 349 var.
Aurerlian and Probus both are often not sufficiently credited with a decent restoration of the antoniniani but their better fabric and improved portraiture helped to reestablish a confidence (and one sorely needed at the time) in the ability of the central Roman government to restore the empire.
To make this point, I show a very early coin of Aurelian before his currency reform or, if you wish, cleaning house at the mint restoring a degree of quality to the coinage absent for decades. The coin I show below would be normal for a Gallienus or Claudius II issue but they are not as easy to find as well made ones from Aurelian through the end of the antoninianus denomination with the reform of Diocletian. A 'proper' collection of the coins of Aurelian really should include a sampling of these early, poorly made coins.
A very illuminating and alarming post - I had no idea there were so many varieties on that MER RIC website (thanks Roman Collector). This came in the mail yesterday - an eBay cheapie that has an unfortunate flat spot on the reverse. I really like the frowny portrait - he looks like the kind of guy who could build a wall around Rome. I thought it was: Aurelian Æ Antoninianus (271-272 A.D.) Rome Mint IMP AVRELIANVS AVG, radiate, cuirassed bust right / IOVI CONSER, Aurelian standing right, holding short sceptre, receiving globe from Jupiter standing left; P in ex. RIC 48 P corr.; Cohen 105. (3.28 grams / 23 mm) But looking over that site, I see there are a multitude of bust types, etc., all with the P in exergue reverse. I've got some work to do...
@dougsmit Curious if they struck the same reverse with different legends? Mine has the same reverse but a different legend: Rome, 270 - 275 AD mintmark VI (6th officina) 20 x 20.5 mm, 4.80 g Ref.: RIC V Aurelian 62; Obv.: IMP AVRELIANVS AVG Bust of Aurelian, radiate, cuirassed, right Rev.: ORIENS AVG Sol standing l. holding globe in l. and raising right; at feet, captives; mintmark VI
Most new collectors are amazed at all of the variations found in ancient coins. There are several mints with several workshops working over several years but some people expect all coins of one ruler to match like the coins in their pockets today do. Each die was an individual creation. Some of the differences may have had meanings we don't understand but sometimes I get the feeling that the die cutter felt like doing something a bit different and no one questioned him. Mints each did little things 'their way'. This one reads SOLI INVICTO but little else is the same. If this is thrilling to you, consider specializing in these. If this bores you, you can always just look for one coin of each ruler and not care in the least about mints etc. The hobby serves both groups. Beginners assignment: The coin above has KA in exergue. If you do not know what that is doing there, research it.
On my coin little or no silver but I love the patina This coin has KA.A.in exergue. It's a variation and published on Wildwinds.... Aurelianus, silvered antoninianus RIC V 297 var. (mintmark) Serdica mint 270-275 AD Obv. IMP AVRELIANVS PF AVG, radiate, cuirassed bust right Rev. RESTITVT ORBIS, Woman standing right, presenting wreath to Aurelian; star in lower centre; mintmark KA dot A no trace of silvering
Thanks for the comments everyone! Nice coins too . And many thanks for the advice on the RIC number @dougsmit and @Roman Collector. I see I have much to learn about the current state of reference systems. I'll change the text on the image, couple of seconds' work.
An Aurelian, much like Bing's. Siscia, with Jupiter handing a globe to the emperor. In the exergue, mint mark Star T. From JAZ's CoinTalk auction of last August. 21 mm, 3.94 gr.
It would be wrong not to give the link to the new RIC replacement online. Using the search capabilities takes a little practice but there is a lot of good material here for the limited period it covers: Aurelian through Tacitus. http://www.ric.mom.fr/en/search/advanced
