Vabalathus, with Aurelian, 267-272, Antoninianus

Vabalathus with Aurelian, antoninianus, billon, Palmyrene interregnum and Aurelian, AD 267–272, Antioch, 3.79 g, 20 mm. Obverse with radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Vabalathus right; legend VABALATHVS V CRIM DR. Reverse with radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Aurelian right; legend IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG. Struck on a compact flan with light billon fabric typical of the Antioch issues of this period; devices and legends generally clear and well placed. RIC V (Aurelian) 381.

This joint-portrait antoninianus documents the brief phase during which Palmyra, under Vabalathus, maintained a formally acknowledged association with the central Roman government while exercising autonomous power in the East, before Aurelian’s campaigns ended Palmyrene separatism and reasserted imperial control over the eastern provinces.