Leu Numismatik AG
Web Auction 15 27-28 Feb 2021
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Aurelian, 270-275. Antoninianus (?) (Bronze, 21 mm, 3.71 g, 7 h), Antioch, summer 272-spring 273. IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG Radiate bust of Aurelian to right, wearing imperial mantle and holding eagle-tipped scepter with his left hand. Rev. RTES (sic!) AVG Aurelian in quadriga right, raising his right hand in salute and holding scepter in his left. Cohen -. RIC -. RIC V online 3135. Of the highest rarity, one of perhaps only four known examples. Large flan crack and with some areas of weakness, otherwise, about very fine.
S. Estiot suggests that this enigmatic issue might have been an essay for a series of biniones, which was then quickly and suddenly cancelled. This occurred either because the dies were destroyed for showing a series of errors (recut obverse legends, eagle scepter in the left rather than the right hand, and meaningless reverse legends), or perhaps due to recent events such as the second rebellion of the recently subjugated city of Palmyra, causing a victory issue to seem somewhat inappropriate for the moment.
S. Estiot suggests that this enigmatic issue might have been an essay for a series of biniones, which was then quickly and suddenly cancelled. This occurred either because the dies were destroyed for showing a series of errors (recut obverse legends, eagle scepter in the left rather than the right hand, and meaningless reverse legends), or perhaps due to recent events such as the second rebellion of the recently subjugated city of Palmyra, causing a victory issue to seem somewhat inappropriate for the moment.