EGYPT. Alexandria. Aurelian, with Vabalathus, 270-275. Drachm (?) (Bronze, 25 mm, 8.28 g, 12 h), RY 1 and RY 4 = 270/1. ΑΥΡΗΛΙΑΝΟC KAI ΑΘΗΝΟΔⲰΡΟC Laureate and cuirassed bust of Aurelian, on the left, facing laureate, diademed and cuirassed bust of Vabalathus, on the right. Rev. L A / L Δ within wreath. Dattari (Savio) 5430. Emmett 3916. K&G 106.70. Very rare. Lacquered and with minor smoothing, otherwise, fine.


The Alexandrian drachms of Aurelian and Vabalathus are noteworthy not just for their rarity, but also for their unusual obverse legend, which call the usurper Athenodoros instead of Vabalathus as on his tetradrachms and antoniniani. Vabalathus is the Latinized transcription of the Palmyrene name Wahballāt, meaning 'Gift of Allāt'. Athenodoros, on the other hand, is a Greek literal translation of the same name as 'Gift of Athena', indicating that the Arabian goddess Allāt, in the interpretatio graeca, was equated with Athena.