Aurelian & Vabalathus — Antoninianus, Antioch

Struck at Antioch, AD 270–272, this antoninianus carries two portraits and no reverse type at all: the radiate bust of Aurelian on one face and the laureate bust of Vabalathus on the other. Vabalathus was the regional ruler of the Roman East, and for a short period the Antioch mint struck in both names, acknowledging Aurelian as Augustus while Vabalathus's own titles fill the second face. The arrangement was short-lived, and this dual-portrait series is its coinage.

VABALATHVS V C R IM D R expands to Vabalathus Vir Clarissimus Rex Imperator Dux Romanorum, "Vabalathus, most distinguished man, king, commander, leader of the Romans". His bust is laureate, draped and cuirassed, facing right, a Roman imperial portrait type given to a king who was not Augustus. The officina letter A sits below Aurelian's bust.

Attribution: RIC V Aurelian 381

Mint: Antioch (A)

Weight: 2.1 g

Diameter: 20 mm

Catalogued in the NumisLens cabinet — NL-FVQEQ-1WR1A

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Attribution is believed to be correct, but ancient coin attributions can vary and the catalogue reference may be subject to revision.