Lot 269: Aurelian. A.D. 270-275. Æ antoninianus. Siscia(?).

Aurelian. A.D. 270-275. Æ antoninianus (22 mm, 4.44 g, 1 h). Siscia(?). IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust of Aurelian right / ORI-ENS AVG, Sol standing left between two captives, raising arm and holding globe; T. Cf. RIC 278 (Serdica); cf. BN 865-6. Fully silvered but with uneven obverse toning. Very rare.

This coin is stylistically most similar to Siscia in how the portrait is engraved and the treatment of Aurelian's left shoulder, yet the reverse lacks the star in field (or, for that matter, in exergue) which is a primary feature of coins from this mint. CNG had an identical specimen which they attributed to Rome, but given the fact that at Rome the shoulder is never treated as it is on this coin and that there really are no other stylistic similarities, the attribution there must be considered suspect. If the mint is indeed Siscia, then any coins without star would need to be reassessed to determine the proper placement in Estiot's emissions.

• Offered By: Barry P. Murphy
• Lot #: 269
• Listing #: 198982
• Closed: Friday, March 27, 2020 5:29:20 PM CT
• Estimate: $100