Extremely rare, sought-after and pictorially attractive variant of this otherwise popular reverse in the coinage iof Aurelian (ORIENS AVG) in which the captive is lying before Sol in a somewhat relaxed pose (and is not knealing or sitting as usual). This variant was struck only at the Rome mint during brief emmissions no. 5 and 6.
Prof. Estiot only cites 3 examples of this type in RIC V.1 online!
OBVERSE: AVRELIANVS AVG
REVERSE: ORIENS AVG = Sol standig left, with right hand raised and holding globe in left hand; at feet, a captive in oriental dress lying on his back, left hand raised
BUST TYPE: B = Radiate, cuirassed bust right
FIELD / EXERGUE MARKS: -/-//VI
MINT: ROME
ISSUE: 6.2 (end 273 – early 274)
WEIGHT: 5,36 g
Provenance: ex G.J.R. Ankoné collection
