Aurelian
At the coin show last week I picked up several coins at 7 cents each. Also picked out a dirty unlabeled older coin for $4 that appeared to be an ancient Roman. After cleaning it up a bit and a few key word searches was able to make an exact match (left at RIC 135) to the coin of Emperor Aurelian from the year 274 AD. This is exciting detective work for me as I ended up by chance with one of the more important Emperors and the inventor of Christmas. Not being a real coin or antique collector I'm proud to have this TWO THOUSAND year old piece of history in my hand.
Aurelian was one of the great Emperors of Rome but don't take my word for it, he recently posted his niecely done video on Youtube to explain. This part 1 shows his rise but the next 4 concisely show his reign and ultimate execution by his own. Live by sword, blah blah. The culture of ruling by force and rebellions in the Middle East and Africa seem somehow familiar.
When we visited Rome in 1973 we were taken to the 11 foot thick Aurelian walls that surrounding Rome were everywhere. Yes, it was Aurelian who built those huge defensive walls around the city to keep out the barbarians who would attack the Empire. The damned tourists were always taking pictures everywhere but a few of my better shots from Italy are in the World Tour Video.
It's fair to say that not everyone can appreciate these coins but coins of Aurelian are considered by some to be
especially interesting. Aurelian promoted the pagan cult worship of the sun across the Roman Empire and established the first winter games of December 25, 274 dedicated to the winter solstice or rebirth of the Sun. This most important holiday on the Roman calendar was later adopted for Christian use. This date is still worshipped today by some people as Christmas.
On the back side the Sun God Sol Invictus is holding right arm raised in victory, holding globe in left hand indicating conqueror of the world. Stepping with right foot on the seated conquered captive with arms tied behind back. The simple coin lettering shows Oriens and Aug . This represents a huge conquest at this time for this Emperor's expansion of the Roman Empire by conquering vast parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. It's called the Praetorian prefixture of the East or the Oriens (Middle East and Egypt) and in 274 the Gallic Empire. I don't really care about that very much, except for the fact that there is so much history behind this little piece of symbolism. The Emperor's radiate crown also symbolizes his godliness.
The silver Sol Invictus medallion on left was among the artifacts found at the Roman dig at Pessinus. The Sol invictus andirons looking at me for the last few decades from behind glass of my fireplace were unnoticed till this week. Similar to medallion soldier wearing in video above. I'll pay more attention now to these symbols. Now that I think about it, the Statue of Liberty's crown seems to give this same representation but I never really consciously considered that before.
surplus:
My coin-Front: AURELIANUS AUG, (Aurelian Augustus= ruler) Radiate crown cuirassed bust facing right
Aurelian here is being presented the defeated Queen Zenobia (in golden chains) after the defeat of her Palmyrene Empire in the year of my coin, 274.
My coin is considered to be Aurelian Antoninianus (2 denarii) bronzed with a silver wash finish . weight 3.93g; 22mm diameter. Minted in Milan, Italy. While mine is bronze this gold Aurelianus is for sale for $13,000. He is killing 2 captives from horseback a la St. George. Aurelianus had a disagreement with the mint workers who went on rebellion where thousands were killed. Over $1 Million for a Maxentius coin .
Other examples of Aurelianus.
In case you've never gone to a coin show. This is the one I attend at the Polish Community Center. Quite large and popular monthly.
Roman Empire for dummies (sort of concice but still tedious).
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