Aurelian was Roman emperor from 270-275. He inherited a coinage system with coins of very low quality silver we call "pre-reform" coins and improved the silver content in 274 to a still-low "20 parts copper and one part silver" usually denoted on the coins by "XXI" (or "KA" using Greek). [There is a good story of how the reform came about, with lots of blood and death, but I won't tell it here.] We have had many threads that mention the reform and discuss the names of the denominations pre- and post- reform. Here is one such thread (from 2019): https://www.cointalk.com/threads/diocletian.347758/ Here is a very nice thread with portraits of Aurelian (from 2018): https://www.cointalk.com/threads/aurelian-the-savior.318932/ I am writing because I recently got this pre-reform coin of Aurelian which has some silvering. Usually they look like copper and silvering is found on post-reform coins. 22-21 mm. 3.18 grams. IMP AVRELIANVS AVG CONCORDIA MILITVM, emperor and Concordia clasping hands, S in exergue Sear III 11522. RIC V online 1432, summer 271. Mediolanum mint. RIC V.I 120. If his early coins had all been this good, I'm not sure he would have needed a reform. However, may are more like this: This one is an early issue with a portrait inherited from Claudius II. 21 mm. 4.45 grams. IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG CONCORDIA MILI, Concordia holding two standards Sear III 11518 variety. RIC 192. Struck as the first issue at Siscia, Oct.-Nov. 270. This particular coin has pretty good die work and a large flan, but the flan clearly lacks much silver. If you have a beautiful Aurelian, and there are many, it is likely a post-reform coin. Show us some coins of Aurelian.
Not sure if Pre-or Post-Reform. Here he is with Vabalathus... and later that guy was turned out from his position... RI Vabalathus 271-272 CE and Aurelian
Here's a very early pre-reform from Siscia (1st issue) with plenty of very thin silvering. Below it I've included a Claudius II issued just prior, with practically the same portrait and no silver left. Next here's an early Rome with a little bit of silvering but not much: Finally a post-reform coin (spring 274) from Milan, with heavy silvering. Much improved quality, even in the shape of the flan!
pre-reform with a Claudius II bust Aurelian A.D. 271- 272 Ӕ Antoninianus 21x22mm 4.3g IMP AVRELIANVS AVG; radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust. VIRTVS AVG; Aurelian standing right, holding spear and globe, receiving Victory from soldier, holding spear; In ex. T RIC Vi Rome 149
Pre-reform antoniniani of Aurelian ugly? Nah! Aurelian, AD 270-275. Roman billon antoninianus, 2.82 g, 22.1 mm, 5 h. Cyzicus, early – summer 272. Obv: IMP AVRELIANVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust, right. Rev: VICTORIA AVG, Trophy of arms (helmet l.); on each side, a bound and seated captive in oriental dress; C* in exergue. Refs: RIC 354; MER/RIC temp 2948; CBN 1156; RCV 11621; MIR 321.
My favorite pre-reform coin got that rank by demonstrating why the reform was needed: On the other hand, this coin almost seems like better billon than the standard as set by the reform. Do we oversimplify it by requiring the XXI/KA on all post reform coins? Was this overstruck on a previous coin with better silver or is this just an artifact of cleaning? Still my favorite post reform coin has none of its silver remaining but the XXI was moved up into the field to make room for the lion. I have no idea of the significance of the lion (if any???). For that matter, why was this (rather skinny) whale used at Rome? When was this issued? The fabric and metal shout pre-reform. I have not seen enough whale coins to know if they are all this bad. Just for the record, I'll add a KA.
I'm surprised that there are so many early Aurelians that show a bust of Claudius I. Wouldn't they be more likely to show Quintillus?
Claudius II was highly regarded after his victories against barbarians (hence Gothicus); while his brother was merely his brother and only Emperor for a short time, so he didn't accomplish anything. When Constantine was embellishing his family tree, he claimed lineage from Claudius and Quintillus through a third brother, but he only struck coins for the cool relative-- Claudius Gothicus.
Right. And there were a lot of CONSECRATIO coins of Claudius II minted by Quintillus. But there were also coins minted in the name of Quintillus, yet I've never seen his image used as a temporary substitute on the earliest Aurelian coins. I'd have thought there were still of lot of obverse dies sitting around after he died.
