Bronze Antoninianus of Emperor Aurelian - C.7066Origin: MediterraneanCirca: 270 AD to 275 ADCollection: NumismaticsStyle: RomanMedium: Bronze.Aurelian, full name Lucius Domitius Aurelianus, rose through the ranks of the army and became a commander of the strategic cavalry corps in 268 A.D. From this position, he joined the conspiracy against Gallienus. In 270, while he was campaigning against the Goths, he staged a revolt against Emperor Quintillus. Troops across the Empire rallied behind their highly popular general and Quintillus, who recognized the hopelessness of his cause and committed suicide shortly thereafter, paving Aurelian’s path to the throne. As Emperor, Aurelian set about restoring Rome to her past glories, soundly defeating the barbarian invaders who had been threatening the borders and sweeping away usurpers who had seized the throne of far away kingdoms. Aurelian drove Germanic invaders out of Northern Italy back across the Danube, the first of many campaigns whose aims were to secure the borders. He eliminated usurpers who claimed political control of distant provinces and restored their lands under the central authority of Rome. However, Aurelian promoted peace as much as war, overhauling the Roman welfare system and forgiving debts to government.

Antique Coins
Ancient coins