Description: Obverse: Head of Aurelian, wearing radiate crown and beard, cuirassed, facing r. Reverse: Head of Vabalathus, wearing laurel crown, draped, facing r.
Inscriptions: Obverse: IMP C HVRELIANVS AVC (Imperator Caesar Aurelian Augustus). In Exergue: Γ. Reverse: VHBALATHVS V C R I M D R (Vabalathus, attribution of initials disputed).
Bibliography: RIC V 381
Notes: This coin series was potentially struck by Zenobia in the name of her son, Vabalathus, for whom she was regent, as argued by P. Southern, 2008. Empress Zenobia: Palmyra's Rebel Queen (London & New York, NY), 87. For discussion on V C R I M D R, see RIC V p.260. In accordance with RIC, the Γ in the exergue of the reverse is a mintmark indicating Antioch.
|