Aurelian RIC TEMP 2868 var. - UNLISTED in RIC V ONLINE WITH SUCH ORIGINAL DEPICTION OF MINERVA !!!

OBVERSE: IMP AVRELIANVS AVG
OBVERSE MARK: (•)
REVERSE: MINERVA AVG = Minerva walking left, holding shield in left arm and branch in right hand
BUST TYPE: A3 = Radiate, cuirassed and draped bust left, seen from back
FIELD / EXERGUE MARKS: -/-//-
MINT: CYZICUS
ISSUE: 2 (early 271)
WEIGHT: 3,26 g
RIC TEMP: unlisted with this reverse type !!!
Coll. no. 235

Note: very rare bust type in the coinage of Aurelian struck only at the mint of Cyzicus in combination with a completely unpublished reverse type. A coin of the highest numismatic interest!

Same obverse die as coins RIC TEMP 2878, RIC TEMP 2893, RIC TEMP 2829.1, which allows to attribute this unpublished coin with a reverse type lacking any mintmarks to the second issue of Cyzicus mint, especially as the standard MINERVA AVG type (with Minerva standing and holding spear and shield, facing left or right) was struck during issue 2 at Cyzicus.

Such original depiction of Minerva (walking left, holding shield in left arm and branch in right hand) varies significantly to the typical depiction of Minerva in which the Goddess is holding a spear and shield (see e.g. RIC TEMP no. 2861 or 2868) and seems unique in the whole Roman coinage. The only similar (yet not identical) depictions of Minerva can be found in the coinage of Postumus and Septimius Sever.

Only the second known specimen of this exact type (the other was sold at Solidus auction 6 lot 356). The third known example of this extraordinary reverse type is from a different pair of dies (and with a different bust type) - see https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/aurelian/RIC_0334v.jpg

Provenance: Savoca online auction 42 lot 357