Ancient Roman billon Antoninianus Aurelian

Description

Country or authority: Roman Empire

Year or date range: Spring AD 274–early AD 275

Denomination: Antoninianus (reformed radiate or aurelianus)

Composition: Probably billon, originally silvered; proposed from the coin type, not confirmed by testing.

Ruler or portrait: Aurelian

Mint or mintmark: Antioch, second officina; B in right reverse field, XXI in exergue.

Catalogue references: Provisional (unverified): RIC V, Part I, Aurelian (Antioch), 384

Obverse description: Radiate, cuirassed bust of Aurelian facing right. Legend: IMP C AVRELIANVS [AVG], with the ending less securely readable.

Reverse description: Legend: [C]ONSERVAT AVG. Sol standing left, raising his right hand and holding a globe in his extended left hand; his right foot rests on a seated captive at lower left. B in right field; XXI below the ground line.

Description and condition notes: Irregular flan with worn relief, granular surfaces, dark deposits and pale metallic patches. Portrait, reverse figure and control marks remain distinguishable.