Roman Imperial. Aurelian Billon Antoninianus (3.53g, 22mm, 6h). Ticinum, 274 AD.
Obverse: IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG, Radiate cuirassed bust right.
Reverse: ORIENS AVG / * / PXXI. Sol holding globe, two bound captives seated, wearing Phrygian caps.
Ref: RIC Online Temp 1521 (27 examples listed). See: Gorny & Mosch 200, 2788; Naumann 33, 584. Cf. RIC 151 (var, P/Q/S/TXXT). Scarce variant (PXXI).
Pedigree: Ex-Savoca Numismatik 28th Blue Auction, Lot 1428 (Munich, 25 Jan 2020)
Numis. Notes: Attractive example with darkly toned silvering and traces of earthen find patina. Video available here.
Historical Notes: See full writeup/blog post here on meaning of imagery in context of Roman history & “Barbarians, Captives, Enemies” coinage.