Aurelian, Antoninianus, billon, reign 270-275, minted 270-275

Aurelian, Antoninianus, billon, reign 270-275, minted 270-275, weight 4.2 g, diameter 23 mm. Obverse: radiate and cuirassed bust of Aurelian facing right; legend IMP AVRELIANVS AVG, with the radiate crown indicating the double-denarius tariff. Reverse: legend ORIENS AVG with numeral VIII in exergue, depiction of Sol walking left, right hand raised, left hand holding a globe, trampling one of two captives; the left stroke of the numeral V in VIII is absent. Strike: well-centered on a broad flan, full legends visible, moderate die wear on high points. Toning: dark grey with scattered patches of original silvering. References: RIC V-1 62 (Rome), Cohen 136, MIR 1999 2028; catalogue note on the partial numeral under reverse legend. The coin was produced during the monetary reforms initiated by Aurelian, who sought to improve the intrinsic value and public trust of the antoninianus after decades of debasement. The ORIENS AVG reverse type associates Aurelian with Sol, the rising eastern sun, underscoring his military victories against Palmyra and his restoration of Roman authority in the eastern provinces. The numeral VIII in the exergue identifies the eighth officina of the Rome mint, reflecting the reorganization of mint workshops under Aurelian. Surviving coins with minor engraver errors, such as the missing stroke in the reverse numeral, provide evidence of rapid die production during the emperor’s campaigns.