EGYPT, Alexandria. Zenobia. Usurper, AD 268-272. Potin Tetradrachm (20mm, 6.87 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 of Vaballathus (AD 272). VF.

CNG Feature Auction 121
Lot: 715. Estimated: $ 1 000

Roman Provincial, Coin-in-Hand Video, Potin

Sold For $ 3 250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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EGYPT, Alexandria. Zenobia. Usurper, AD 268-272. Potin Tetradrachm (20mm, 6.87 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 of Vaballathus (AD 272). Draped bust right, wearing stephane / Elpis advancing left, holding flower and lifting hem of skirt; L Є (date) across field. Bland, Coinage 56; Köln 3065; Dattari (Savio) 5511; K&G 108.1; Emmett 3911.5. Brown patina, earthen deposits, minor roughness. VF. Rare.

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

When Aurelian rose to the purple in 270, he pragmatically acquiesced to Zenobia and Vabalathus’ rule in the east, while he concerned himself with stabilizing the situation in the west. By 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 274. According to a later tradition, Aurelian, impressed by her beauty and dignity, 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 121 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 6-8 October 2022. This lot is in Session Three, which will begin 7 October 2022 at 9 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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