Late Roman Bronze Coins

Coin talk => Late Roman Bronze coins => Topic started by: seth on January 07, 2015, 12:28:26 PM

Title: Very rare Aurelian pre-reform Ant
Post by: seth on January 07, 2015, 12:28:26 PM

Coin is not in best of shapes and I wouldn't dare clean it further, but it's arguably one of the rarest issues of Aurelian, along w/ the SPQR issue.

AURELIAN AE22mm 3.49g Antoninian pre-reform (aVF, patina, uncleaned)

AV: IMP AVRELIANVS AVG; radiate, cuirassed bust r.

REV: VICTORIA AVG; Trophy of arms (helmet r.); on each side, a bound and std. captive in oriental dress.

EXE: C*

REF: BNC 1156; RIC V-1 354, RIC Online #2948 6specs recorded, none in La Venera hoard, 1st officina of Cyzicus mint, early-summer 272AD.

Type issued only at Cyzicus, commemorating the defeat of the Palmyrene Revolt, as the captives are wearing oriental dresses. The reverse is a variation of the VICTORIAE GOTHIC series started by Claudius Gothicus and very rare for Quintillus and Aurelian.

Title: Re: Very rare Aurelian pre-reform Ant
Post by: Genio popvli romani on January 07, 2015, 01:56:06 PM

Really nice find!
There are two (at least) type of trophy, helmet to right : http://www.ric.mom.fr/fr/coin/2947 (the one you referred to) and helmet to left: http://www.ric.mom.fr/fr/coin/2948
It seems, based on what I believe to see on the picture, that "your" helmet is turned left.

Title: Re: Very rare Aurelian pre-reform Ant
Post by: Genio popvli romani on January 07, 2015, 02:05:17 PM

Even if it is not easy to ensure, the reverse die seems very close to the BM 2948 :

Title: Re: Very rare Aurelian pre-reform Ant
Post by: seth on January 07, 2015, 02:06:32 PM

You are of course right!
I think I was quite starstruck when I found it to be thorough as I should've been.
Thank you for the input, will correct in my database :)

Also modified OP.