Roman Imperial. Aurelian (270-275 AD) Billon (Silvered AE) Antoninianus (23mm, 3.56g, 5h). Serdica, 1st officina, 2nd emission, 274 AD.
Obverse: IMP AVRELIANVS AVG. Radiate and cuirassed bust of Aurelian to right.
Reverse: ORIENS AVG / P in exergue. Sol, naked except for cape and radiate crown, standing left, raising right hand and holding globe in his left. At feet to left, Eastern (Parthian?) captive wearing pointed Phrygian or Scythian cap, seated left with legs bound in front, knees to chest, and hands bound behind his back.
References: RIC 276; Cohen 140; RIC online 2634.
Provenance: Ex-Leu Numismatik Web Auction 14 (Online [Zurich], 13 Dec 2020), Lot 1446, reportedly from a European collection, formed before 2005.
Numismatic Notes: Comments from Leu: “Fully silvered. Minor areas of weakness, otherwise, virtually as struck.” Traces of double-striking, 4h-6h obv., 7h-11h rev.
Video of this coin available here
Historical Notes: See our blog post / writeup about this coin here, “A New Morning in Rome.”