AURELIAN
AD 270-275AE Antoninianus. 4.02g, 23.8mm
MINTED: Cyzicus mint, end AD 271
REF: RIC MER Online Temp #2923; RIC 1st 345
OBVERSE: IMP AVRELIANVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right.
REVERSE: GENIVS EXERCITI, Genius standing left holding patera and cornucopiae; standard on ground to right.
Notes:
An interesting, irregular-shaped flan.
Historical Notes:
Aurelian was one of the more effective of the soldier emperors of the mid 3rd century. He was a cavalry commander of Illyrian birth under emperor Gallienus, and was promoted to Magister Equitum (or head of the army) under Claudius II. As emperor, Aurelian did much to reverse the fortunes of the empire by re-conquering the secessionist Gallic and Palmyrene empires. For his efforts, he was accorded the title Restitutor Orbis, or Restorer of the World.
