This is an extremely ugly coin and, at the same time, a rather scarce and, I think, historically important issue: AE24mm 3.49g pre-reform radiate IMP AVRELIANVS AVG; radiate, cuirassed bust r. VICTORIA AVG; Trophy of arms (helmet left); on each side, a bound and sitting captive in oriental dress. C* BNC p.417; RIC V-1 354, RIC Online #2948 very scarce, 6specs recorded, none in La Venera, reverse die-match w/ London (1979 3-1-19), 1st officina of Cyzicus mint, summer 272AD. By the summer of 272, Palmyra had been subdued and Zenobia and Vabalathus were on the run, soon to be captured trying to cross the Euphrates and brought to face judgement in Emesa by August. With Palmyra under Aurelian's control, Egypt secured and the eastern border safe, Antioch and Alexandria started minting (again) for him alone -- with Antioch introducing the RESTITVTOR ORBIS series and Alexandria following through and marking Aurelian's 4th year in August 272. It was at this time that the mint of Cyzicus re-introduced the tropaeum type, which had been used to mark Claudius II's Gothic victories (including the Battle of Naissus) in 269. The type possibly started as early as the fall of Palmyra or as late as Aurelian's return trip in September-October 272 and included the well-known design of the tropaeum of arms, but with a twist: it was flanked on each side by Oriental captives -- likely alluding to the capture of Zenobia. The issue was apparently short-lived, between the RESTITVT ORIENTIS types (spring to summer before defeating the Palmyrene Revolt) and the new IOVI CONSER and FIDES MILITVM types (autumn, after his victories in the East but probably before his campaigns in Europe against the Carps and him becoming Carpicus Maximus), and had a limited circulation in the general area of Western Anatolia - Eastern Balkans. Its absence from La Venera is also a sign of a localized coinage or/and of a very small issue. Was it too nostalgic for Aurelian's interest?
..rare historical coins are always interesting! great write up and coin Seth...too nostalgic?....idk...fodder for debate tho....his coin is about the only one in my collection to still have silverwash..he is a most interesting emperor at a most interesting time..his wife is the only gal to be thought to have been sole emperor after his death for a time..
