© Trustees of the British Museum
© Trustees of the British Museum
Aureus - Aurelianus VICTORIA AVG; Victory
| Gold | 6.3 g | 19 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Aurelian (Lucius Domitius Aurelianus) (270-275) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 270-275 |
| Value | Aureus (25⁄2) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Gold |
| Weight | 6.3 g |
| Diameter | 19 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#290903 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Victory, winged, draped, walking right, holding wreath in right hand and palm in left hand.
Script: Latin
Lettering: VICTORIA AVG
Translation:
Victoria Augusti.
Victory of the emperor (Augustus).
Comment
Mass varies: 6.22–6.35 g;Example of this type:
Trustees of the British Museum
Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Aureus coin is that it was used as a form of propaganda by the Roman Empire. The coin's design, which features the image of the emperor Aurelianus and the goddess Victory, was meant to promote the idea of Roman supremacy and the emperor's divine right to rule. The coin's inscription, "VICTORIA AVG," or "Victory of the Emperor," further reinforces this message. By circulating these coins throughout the empire, the Roman government aimed to reinforce its authority and legitimacy, and to promote a sense of unity and shared values among its citizens.
