(c. 270-272 AD) Kingdom of Palmyra - BI Antoninianus of Vabalathus, NGC XF.

Description

On offer is an undated (c. 270-272 AD) Kingdom of Palmyra - BI (silver billon) Antoninianus of Vabalathus and Aurelian. This coin is graded XF (Extremely Fine) by NGC Ancients.
The catalog designation for this coin is Bland A8 (see Roger Bland, "The Coinage of Vabalathus and Zenobia from Antioch and Alexandria," The Numismatic Chronicle 171, London: The Royal Numismatic Society, 2011).
It is a product of the Antioch mint, "Epsilon" officina (epsilon mintmark beneath portrait of Aurelian on reverse).
It is approximately 20mm in diameter.
The obverse displays a portrait of Julius Septimius Vabalathus Athenodorus (r. 267-272), emperor of the Palmyrene Empire under the regency of his mother Zenobia.
Obverse inscription: VABALATHVS.V.C.R.IM.D.R. (Vabalathus, Vir Clarissimus, Rex, Imperator, Dux Romanorum)
The reverse features a radiate portrait of the Roman Emperor Aurelian (r. 270-275).
Reverse inscription: IMP.C.AVRELIANVS.AVG (Imperator Caesar Aurelianus Augustus)
Vabalathus came to the Palmyrene throne at the age of eight and the kingdom was ruled by his mother Zenobia as regent. This coin was minted just prior to the outbreak of a major revolt against Roman rule. The revolt was put down in 272 AD by Roman legions under Aurelian's personal command and both Zenobia and Vabalathus were deposed.
The item pictured is the exact item which will be received. The prospective purchaser should independently judge the quality and condition of this piece based upon the original photos provided.