Scarce Aurelian Antoninian

Another one of my favorite busts of Aurelian is this one below.
Obv.: IMP AVRELIANVS AVG
Rev.: RESTITVT ORI-ENTIS
In exergue: P
Mint: Mediolanum

The coin dates to 272 and celebrates the defeat of the Palmyrian kingdom at the battle of Immae.

I like how Aurelian seems to be looking down on this coin - humilitas victrix invicta. The head is exceptionally high relief, which cannot be seen in the picture.

The metal is also surprisingly silvery, i.e. seems to have a fair amount of silver in it to give it a grey (billon) appearance in contrast to the usual copper Antoniniani that were minted at the time.

It also has a generous 22mm flan (4.11g) in contrast to the usually a bit smaller copper Antoniniani of Aurelianus.




The coin is said to come from the Z.P. collection Austria. Does anybody know who Z.P. is or was?

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Here’s mine…



“Aurelian; 270-275 AD, Cyzicus, Antoninianus, 4.05g. Göbl-337a2 (22 spec.), Paris-1172, RIC-349 corr. Obv: IMP C AVR - E - LIANVS AVG Bust radiate, cuirassed r., seen from front. Rx: RESTITVTOR - ORBIS Aurelian standing l. extending r. hand and holding spear in l., crowned by smaller figure of Victory who stands r. before him; at Victory's feet, small captive kneeling r. raising both hands towards emperor; in exergue, *B. With unusual double break in obverse legend above portrait.Extremely unusual high relief portrait.”

 

That is a real gem. Love the portrait.

 

My favourite Aurelianus, issued when the emperor and the Palmerian king were friends. That would change soon after the Palmerians refused to send grain to Rome.

 

I found another one of these Cyzicus first emissions with VICTORIA GERM reverse on on Ebay. I really like these early naturalistic portraits of Aurelian. Another speciality of these coins are the legends:

1. the letter A is executed like H
2. the letter G is executed like C
3. the letter M is executed like N

The legends of the coin below read:
Obv.: IMP HVRELIHNVS HVC
Rev.: VICTORIH CERN