A long AND thick neck: Lucius Domitius Aurelianus (July 270 - September 275) Billion Antoninianus with full silvering Mint: Serdica, struck 272 (closely double struck reverse) officina mark P Size: 23.6 mm 3.33g Obv: IMP AVRELIANVS AVG, radiate and curaissed bust of Aurelian right, three quarters view Rev: IOVI CON-SER (Jupiter the Protector), Aurelian laureate, standing right, in military garb, a long scepter in the left hand, receiving a globe in his right hand from Jupiter with robe behind him and a scepter in his left hand, officina P (1) in exergue Ref: RIC V Aurelian 260 Notes: Aurelian was born around 207 in Sirmium. After a brilliant military career, he was proclaimed Augustus at Sirmium after the death of Claudius II. He became sole emperor after the suicide of Quintillus. He made the painful decision to abandon Dacia in 271, then attacked Zenobia and Vaballath, seizing Palmyra in 272. Then he undertook the re-conquest of the Gaulish empire and defeated Tetricus at Châlons-sur-Marne. Afterwards he triumphed in Rome and spared the lives of Tetricus and his son. He was assassinated as he prepared a campaign against the Sassanids to recapture Mesopotamia.
RIC V (2), Carausius, Antoninianus, No. 475: IMP C CARAVSIVS PF AVG ......................................... PA - X - AVG | S .....P Draped, radiate, bust London Mint. 3.9 gm.
Considering how often claimants to the throne met untimely deaths, all them were "sticking their necks out" to declare themselves emperors. Maybe the coins reflect that. (The expression "to risk one's neck" is that old. Paul used it in Romans 16:4.)
