RCV 11571 - Aurelian BI Antoninianus

Aurelian 270-275 AD  

Obverse: IMP AVRELIANVS AVG Radiate and cuirassed bust of Aurelian to right.

Reverse: ORIENS AVG / ΔXXIR Sol standing front, head to left, raising his right hand in salute and holding globe in his left; to left and right, seated and bound captives.

Reference: CBN 177-9. RIC 63. RIC V online 1793. Venèra 1049-64. RCV 11571 

Size: 22 mm. Weight: 5.49 g, 12 h. Very minor roughness, otherwise, good very fine.

Aurelian was a ruler of the Roman Empire reigning from 270 to 275. During the reign, he defeated the Alamanni, Goths, Vandals, Juthungi, Sarmatians, and Carpi. By reuniting the empire, which had virtually disintegrated under the pressure of invasions and internal revolts, he earned the title of Restitutor Orbis (“Restorer of the world”).

Aurelian was born on 9th September 214, in humble circumstances. He rose through the military ranks to become emperor. He was responsible for the construction of the Aurelian Walls in Rome, and the abandonment of the province of Dacia.

During the reign, he strengthens the position of the Sun god Sol Invictus as the main divinity of the Roman pantheon. Sol Invictus ("Unconquered Sun") was the official sun god of the later Roman Empire and a patron of soldiers. On 25 December AD 274, the Aurelian made it an official cult alongside the traditional Roman cults.

Oriens Augusti - the rising Sun of the Emperor. Oriens, The East. - This word was used by the Romans to designate either that part of the world where the sun appears to rise, or some province of the empire situate towards the East; or the Sun itself. The East is figured by a young head crowned with rays; and Oriens often is the accompanying legend.

Riferimento : RCV 11571

Fonte : https://www.mintageworld.com/media/detai...

Collezione : V - Military Anarchy and Collapse