Sale: CNG 60, Lot: 1849. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 22 May 2002.  Sold For $500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

AURELIAN. 270-275 AD. Æ As (9.08 gm). Rome mint. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left, right hand raised / Aurelian and Severina clasping hands, radiate bust of Sol between; Ð. RIC V pt. 1, 81; Cohen 36. Good VF, dark green patina under light earthen encrustation. Extremely rare. ($500)

Production of the as under the military emperors had all but ceased by the time of Aurelian's coinage reform in 274. Under Aurelian, there was a temporary surge in production, perhaps for the sake of convenience so that payments in odd numbers of coins could be made. Nevertheless, they are still scarce today.