Zenobia. Usurper, AD 268-272. Antoninianus (19mm, 3.53 g, 3h). Antioch mint, 8th officina. 2nd emission, March-May AD 272. Near VF.

CNG Feature Auction 132
Lot: 844. Estimated: $ 2 000

Roman Imperial, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 6 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Zenobia. Usurper, AD 268-272. Antoninianus (19mm, 3.53 g, 3h). Antioch mint, 8th officina. 2nd emission, March-May AD 272. Draped bust right, wearing stephane, set on crescent / Juno, standing left, holding patera and scepter; at feet to left, peacock standing left, head right; star to left. RIC V 2 corr. (star not noted); RIC V Online 3122; Bland, Coinage 29, e–k, (dies 45/Jun ii); Carson, Zenobia 3 (same dies); MIR 47, 360b/0; BN 1267a and pl. 86, 288 (same obv. die). Thick dark earthen patina, some roughness. Near VF.

While a nominal ally of Rome, Odaenathus, ruler of the wealthy eastern trade center of Palmyra and husband of Septimia Zenobia, took full advantage of Rome’s internal and external conflicts to expand his territories. The circumstances surrounding the assassination of Odaenathus around AD 267 are uncertain, but we do know that Zenobia soon after took the title of Augusta and bestowed on her infant son Vaballathus the title of Augustus. Zenobia continued to expand the Palmyrene kingdom, seizing control of Egypt in AD 269 and, with it, the Roman grain supply. To further bolster her position, Zenobia claimed to be the descendent of such illustrious figures as Cleopatra VII of Egypt and legendary Queen Dido of Carthage.

When Aurelian rose to the purple in AD 270, he pragmatically acquiesced to Zenobia and Vaballathus’ rule in the east while he concerned himself with stabilizing the situation in the west. By AD 272, he was prepared to campaign against the usurpers. Palmyra was sacked, and both Zenobia and Vabalathus were captured as they tried to make their way to Persia. Zenobia was brought to Rome and paraded in Aurelian’s triumph in AD 274. According to a later tradition, Aurelian, impressed by her beauty and dignity, reportedly later freed her and granted her a villa in Tibur, where she spent the rest of her life.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session Three – Lot 588-888 will be held Tuesday morning, 19 May 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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