RIC V Online 1817

Roman Empire, Aurelian (270-275), Aurelianus, Rome mint, 11th emission, 3rd officina.

Obverse: IMP AVRELIANVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front;

Reverse: ORI-ENS AVG, Sol walking right, holding olive branch in right hand and bow in left hand, left foot resting on a captive in oriental dress kneeling on the ground to the right, right hand raised; Γ in left field, XXIR in exergue;

Notes: This coin belongs to Rome's 11th emission, the final one for Aurelian, struck shortly before his death. ORIENS AVG is the only reverse type used, and it comes in only one variety, meaning that there's not much to collect for this issue besides the different officinae and the very rare busts celebrating the emperor's third consulship. The reverse legend refers to the "Dawn of the Augustus" and emphatizes Sol's support as fundamental for Aurelian's victories, which allowed him to reunify the empire after almost two decades of divisions.

Reference : RIC V 64; RIC V Online 1817; La Venera 1167-1203; Maravielle 96;

Collection : Aurelian - Rome