Aurelian, Bronze Antoninianus

Aurelian, Bronze Antoninianus

Aurelian, Bronze Antoninianus. 270-275 CE.
OBVERSE: IMP AVRELIANVS AVG (Imperator Aureilanus Augustus), Radiate bust right, cuirassed.
REVERSE: VIRT MILITVM (virtue of the military), Emperor standing left, presenting Victory to a soldier standing right, holding globe and spear, T in exergue.

Aurelian was declared Emperor by his troops after the death of Claudius II Gothicus in 270 CE. Claudius II Gothicus’ brother, Quintillus, however, was also declared Emperor by the Pannonian troops in the same year. Not unexpectedly, Quintillus was not destined to hold the title for long. Mere months after his troops had declared their support, they deserted him for Aurelian. Quintillus was then either murdered or he committed suicide, and Aurelian became the uncontested leader of the empire.

A great military general, Aurelian was responsible for recovering lands ruled by Zenobia (current day Syria) and inducing the surrender of the Tetrici in Gaul. He also built the Aurelian wall around Rome, securing it against outward attacks. Even with his success, he was still assassinated by a conspiracy of officers in Thrace in 275 CE.

Gift of James and Aneta McIntyre, Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Salem, OR. 2006.010.046

ca. 270-275 CE

Hallie Ford Museum of Art

0.993 in
0.100 oz

Latin

Coin

This item can be viewed on Hallie Ford Museum of Art's website.