Ancient Roman Bronze Antoninianus of Vabalathus and Aurelian (No Reserve Price)

An Ancient Roman bronze antoninianus with head of Vabalathus and Aurelian. On the obverse it presents the laureate and draped bust of Vabalathus facing right, encircled by the inscription VABALATHVS VCR IM DR. The reverse presents the radiate and cuirassed bust of Aurelian facing right. The legend reads IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG.

Vabalathus, son of Odenathus and Zenobia, called by Vopiacus Balbatus, governed Palmyra with his mother after the murder of his father. He probably perished in the war with Aurelian in AD 272. The coins of Vabalathus are of two classes; those with his name and head without the titles of Caesar or Augustus, and on the reverse the name and head of Aurelian; and those with his name and head and the titles of Caesar and Augustus, and on the reverse various types.

Diameter: 2. 0 cm
Weight: 3. 67 g

Provenance: Ex Cambridgeshire private collection, acquired 1970s.