Aurelian, 270-275. Antoninianus (Bronze, 24 mm, 4.11 g, 6 h), Ticinum, June-September 274. IMP C AVR[E]LIANVS AVG Radiate and cuirassed bust of Aurelian to right. Rev. ORIENS AVG / P[XX]T Sol standing left, raising his right hand in salute and holding globe in his left; to left and right, seated and bound captives in oriental dresses; in field to left, star. CBN 581-2. RIC 151. RIC V online 1529. Venèra 4877-950. An interesting piece with contemporary gilding. Pierced and with minor traces of corrosion, otherwise, good fine.


The soft devices of the gold coating on this piece suggest that the gilding was probably achieved by simply dipping it into molten precious metal. As the perforation indicates, this was likely done not with the intention to deceive, but rather to create a pendant with a golden sheen, with the emperor’s portrait serving as the display side.