Lot 294: Aurelian. A.D. 270-275. Æ as. Rome, A.D. 275. 
AUCTION: Triskeles - Auction 30 (Auction 343)
- Sold Winning Bid: $50
- 2 Bid(s)
Aurelian. A.D. 270-275. Æ as (25 mm, 9.63 g, 12 h). Rome, A.D. 275. IMP AVRELIANVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust of Aurelian right / CONCOR-[DI-A AVG], empress standing right, clasping hands with emperor standing left, holding scepter; above, radiate and draped bust of Sol right; [...]. RIC 80; RIC on-line temp. 1878; BN 303. Brown and earthen green patina. Good fine.
The cult of Sol Invictus, or the "Unconquerable Sun," was established by Aurelian as an official cult of the Roman Empire in A.D. 274. Some scholars have argued that the date selected by the Church to celebrate Christmas, December 25th, was borrowed from the festival celebrating the Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, or the "Birthday of the Unconquered Sun." This notion, however, is not universally accepted.
- Offered By: Barry P. Murphy
- Lot #: 294
- Listing #: 238432
- Closed: Friday, December 6, 2019 4:37:40 PM CT
- Estimate: $75