Nomos AG
Auction 17 26 Oct 2018
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Aurelian, 270-275. Aureus (Gold, 21 mm, 4.66 g, 1 h), Mediolanum and Ticinum, c. 270-271. IMP C D AVRELIANVS AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Aurelian to right. Rev. FIDES MILI Fides standing facing, head turned to left, holding a signum with each hand. Calicó 3999. Cohen 79. RIC 89. Very rare; clear and with an unusually tough and aggressive portrait of Aurelian. Minor marks, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.
This portrait is particularly intriguing when compared with the usual ones we see of Aurelian: could it be that this is what the emperor, who was a very tough and serious general, actually looked like? Or could it be that this obverse die was designed by an engraver who had no idea of what Aurelian looked like, and simply modeled him on Claudius Gothicus?.
This portrait is particularly intriguing when compared with the usual ones we see of Aurelian: could it be that this is what the emperor, who was a very tough and serious general, actually looked like? Or could it be that this obverse die was designed by an engraver who had no idea of what Aurelian looked like, and simply modeled him on Claudius Gothicus?.