Roman Antoninianus Coins

Inv. No.: c144
Date: A.D. 270-275 (Hayes).
Weight: 2.93g
 
Obv.: Aurelian, radiate, draped, cuirassed.
IMP.AVRELIANVS AVG.

Rev.: Fortune seated, cornucopiae in left hand, rudder in right hand.
FORTVNA R[EDVX]
No mintmark discernible.

The stern, elderly, unprepossessing portrait seen on Aurelian earlier coins has given place to a younger, less angular style. Details of beard, hair and armour are admirably rendered.

For the reverse legend, see on coin c082. The fortunes of Aurelian reign were varied. After being defeated by the barbarians at Placentia, he avenged himself in three separate victories. He won back Gaul and Spain from the elderly Tetricus and, after a long struggle, Palmyra from Zenobia. On the other hand, he prudently relinquished Dacia. He was finally assassinated by some of his generals.

Comparanda:
Cf. RIC, Aurelian 47, 220.