Couldn't let much time pass without having to add another tetradrachm. Been needing a Vaballathus based tet and picked this up from @Brian Bucklan . Aurelian, With Vaballathus (270 - 275 A.D.) Egypt, Alexandria Potin Tetradrachm O: AYT KΛ ∆ AYPHΛIANOC CEB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Aurelian right, date L - A at sides ( year 1 ). R: I I A C OYABAΛΛAΘOC AΘHNOY AYT C ΠΩ, laureate, diademed and draped bust of Vabalathus right, date L - D across fields ( year 4 ) 20mm 9.54g Köln 3054; Dattari 5422; Milne 4308; Curtis 1738; Emmett 3914
Nice tet!! I only have an antoninianus: Vabalathus, AD 270-272 and Aurelian, AD 270-275. Roman billon antoninianus, 3.58 gm, 20.4 mm, 5 h. 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.
To me the most interesting part of this issue is the regnal dating that differs on the two sides. Vaballathus was the old ruler in year four while new kid Aurelian is year one. I prefer to declare the obverse to the more senior ruler. On the Alexandria coins, this is not obvious but the Imperial antoniniani showing the same pair marks the reverse with the officina letter (here S) which is customarily found on the back. However, how is it the denomination is indicated by a radiate crown only on the Aurelian side.
Nice tet! Good coin with a great story behind the 2 faces on it. Aurelian was a rock star! VABALATHUS & Aurelian 271-272 AD. Antoninianus Antioch mint. IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust of Aurelian right; S below / VABALATHVS VCRIMDR, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Vabalathus right, seen from behind. RIC V
I do have an ant. as well, but a Tet was high on my want list this year. 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 examples, everyone. I just got my first Vabalathus last week, an antoninianus. It's my first two-headed ancient as well. Aurelian with Vabalathus Æ Antoninianus (Nov. 270- Mar. 272 A.D.) Antioch Mint - 5th Off. VABALATHVS VCR IM DR, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right / IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG, radiate & cuirassed bust right; Є below. RIC 381 Є; Sear 11718. (3.05 grams / 21 mm)
Cool! I had zero recollection of selling it to you. But I never forget a face! (Or, in this case, two of them.)
Suggestion: Next time you have to decide an issue of life-altering importance with a coin toss, use one of these. Flip it and call "heads!" while it's still airborne.
