Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XVII 28 Mar 2019
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Aurelian AV Aureus. Siscia, Autumn AD 271. IMP AVRELIANVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / VICTORIA AVG, Victory advancing right, holding wreath and palm; P to left, star to right. MER-RIC 2073 (temporary) = Estiot 112a (same rev. die); RIC 177 corr. (bust left); Calicó 4038 corr. (same). 3.15g, 20mm, 12h.
Good Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare - the third known example.
From the collection of P.R., United Kingdom.
Aurelian's first actions as emperor were aimed at consolidating the security of Roman territory; to that end in late AD 270 he campaigned against the barbarian incursions in northern Italia, driving the Vandals, Juthungi, and Sarmatians back across the border. His authority was by no means absolute, and Aurelian was challenged by the usurpers Septimius, Urbanus, Domitianus, and by the rebellion of Felicissimus. Furthermore, in January of 271 the Alamanni invaded Italia, entering the Po plain, sacking the poorly defended villages, and occupying Placentia. Aurelian pivoted from Pannonia back to Italia, but suffered a defeat in an ambush near Placentia. Therefore when the news of the emperor's defeat arrived at Rome, the virtually defenceless city was put into a state of great alarm. Aurelian's counter-attack against the Alamanni succeeded in defeating the barbarians and driving them north, whereupon they were eventually routed at Pavia. Nonetheless the vulnerability of the capital had been brutally exposed, and with further Germanic invasions considered likely, a massive building project was undertaken to construct a new system of walls around Rome; these walls, much of which survive to this day, became known as the Aurelian Walls. The imperial coinage of this period meanwhile justly celebrates the victories of the emperor over those enemies, both external and internal, who threatened its security.
Good Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare - the third known example.
From the collection of P.R., United Kingdom.
Aurelian's first actions as emperor were aimed at consolidating the security of Roman territory; to that end in late AD 270 he campaigned against the barbarian incursions in northern Italia, driving the Vandals, Juthungi, and Sarmatians back across the border. His authority was by no means absolute, and Aurelian was challenged by the usurpers Septimius, Urbanus, Domitianus, and by the rebellion of Felicissimus. Furthermore, in January of 271 the Alamanni invaded Italia, entering the Po plain, sacking the poorly defended villages, and occupying Placentia. Aurelian pivoted from Pannonia back to Italia, but suffered a defeat in an ambush near Placentia. Therefore when the news of the emperor's defeat arrived at Rome, the virtually defenceless city was put into a state of great alarm. Aurelian's counter-attack against the Alamanni succeeded in defeating the barbarians and driving them north, whereupon they were eventually routed at Pavia. Nonetheless the vulnerability of the capital had been brutally exposed, and with further Germanic invasions considered likely, a massive building project was undertaken to construct a new system of walls around Rome; these walls, much of which survive to this day, became known as the Aurelian Walls. The imperial coinage of this period meanwhile justly celebrates the victories of the emperor over those enemies, both external and internal, who threatened its security.