Roman Bronze Coin of Aurelian (about 1750-1755 years ago)
This bronze coin was issued under Emperor Aurelian, the military leader who reunified the Roman Empire after it had fragmented into three separate regions. Minted in the 270s CE, this coin represents the brief but crucial reign of a ruler sometimes called "Restorer of the World" for his successful efforts to rebuild imperial unity during a time of extreme crisis.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of Emperor Aurelian wearing a radiate crown (with sun-ray projections), shown with military attire, a stern expression, and possibly a short beard, surrounded by Latin text with his imperial titles
Back side: Likely features either Sol Invictus (Unconquered Sun) imagery, military themes representing Aurelian's victories, or personifications of imperial virtues such as Concordia (Harmony)
Technical Details:
Bronze alloy composition (possibly with traces of silver wash when newly minted)
Small bronze denomination (likely an Antoninianus which by this period had become essentially a bronze coin)
RIC (Roman Imperial Coinage) reference number not visible in description
NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) certified
Minted approximately 270-275 CE
Good to Fine condition (showing significant wear consistent with circulation)
Historical Significance:
This coin was issued during Aurelian's short but impactful reign, when he successfully reunited the Roman Empire after it had split into three separate realms (the Gallic Empire in the west, the Palmyrene Empire in the east, and the central Roman state). His monetary reforms attempted to restore confidence in the coinage after decades of severe debasement. Historically significant is Aurelian's promotion of Sol Invictus (the Unconquered Sun) as the empire's primary deity, establishing December 25th as the god's official birthday with the festival of Natalis Solis Invicti in 274 CE. This date would later be adopted by Christians for celebrating Christmas, creating a connection between Roman religious traditions and later Christian practices. Aurelian's efforts to restore the empire were cut short by his assassination in 275 CE, but his military and administrative reforms helped stabilize Rome during the tumultuous Crisis of the Third Century.
This bronze coin was issued under Emperor Aurelian, the military leader who reunified the Roman Empire after it had fragmented into three separate regions. Minted in the 270s CE, this coin represents the brief but crucial reign of a ruler sometimes called "Restorer of the World" for his successful efforts to rebuild imperial unity during a time of extreme crisis.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of Emperor Aurelian wearing a radiate crown (with sun-ray projections), shown with military attire, a stern expression, and possibly a short beard, surrounded by Latin text with his imperial titles
Back side: Likely features either Sol Invictus (Unconquered Sun) imagery, military themes representing Aurelian's victories, or personifications of imperial virtues such as Concordia (Harmony)
Technical Details:
Bronze alloy composition (possibly with traces of silver wash when newly minted)
Small bronze denomination (likely an Antoninianus which by this period had become essentially a bronze coin)
RIC (Roman Imperial Coinage) reference number not visible in description
NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) certified
Minted approximately 270-275 CE
Good to Fine condition (showing significant wear consistent with circulation)
Historical Significance:
This coin was issued during Aurelian's short but impactful reign, when he successfully reunited the Roman Empire after it had split into three separate realms (the Gallic Empire in the west, the Palmyrene Empire in the east, and the central Roman state). His monetary reforms attempted to restore confidence in the coinage after decades of severe debasement. Historically significant is Aurelian's promotion of Sol Invictus (the Unconquered Sun) as the empire's primary deity, establishing December 25th as the god's official birthday with the festival of Natalis Solis Invicti in 274 CE. This date would later be adopted by Christians for celebrating Christmas, creating a connection between Roman religious traditions and later Christian practices. Aurelian's efforts to restore the empire were cut short by his assassination in 275 CE, but his military and administrative reforms helped stabilize Rome during the tumultuous Crisis of the Third Century.
This bronze coin was issued under Emperor Aurelian, the military leader who reunified the Roman Empire after it had fragmented into three separate regions. Minted in the 270s CE, this coin represents the brief but crucial reign of a ruler sometimes called "Restorer of the World" for his successful efforts to rebuild imperial unity during a time of extreme crisis.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of Emperor Aurelian wearing a radiate crown (with sun-ray projections), shown with military attire, a stern expression, and possibly a short beard, surrounded by Latin text with his imperial titles
Back side: Likely features either Sol Invictus (Unconquered Sun) imagery, military themes representing Aurelian's victories, or personifications of imperial virtues such as Concordia (Harmony)
Technical Details:
Bronze alloy composition (possibly with traces of silver wash when newly minted)
Small bronze denomination (likely an Antoninianus which by this period had become essentially a bronze coin)
RIC (Roman Imperial Coinage) reference number not visible in description
NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) certified
Minted approximately 270-275 CE
Good to Fine condition (showing significant wear consistent with circulation)
Historical Significance:
This coin was issued during Aurelian's short but impactful reign, when he successfully reunited the Roman Empire after it had split into three separate realms (the Gallic Empire in the west, the Palmyrene Empire in the east, and the central Roman state). His monetary reforms attempted to restore confidence in the coinage after decades of severe debasement. Historically significant is Aurelian's promotion of Sol Invictus (the Unconquered Sun) as the empire's primary deity, establishing December 25th as the god's official birthday with the festival of Natalis Solis Invicti in 274 CE. This date would later be adopted by Christians for celebrating Christmas, creating a connection between Roman religious traditions and later Christian practices. Aurelian's efforts to restore the empire were cut short by his assassination in 275 CE, but his military and administrative reforms helped stabilize Rome during the tumultuous Crisis of the Third Century.
