14C162
NUMERIAN
AV Heavy Aureus (4.75gm) Siscia, 1 January 284 A.D.

Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Numerian right / Sol standing left. RIC 454. Hurter 45 (this coin).

Very Rare.
This heavy aureus was struck for distribution on New Year's Day of 284 to celebrate Numerian's first consulship. Its Oriens (Orient) reverse alludes to the Persian campaign of 283-284. Numerian's father, Carus, had enjoyed striking military success against the Persians, but suddenly died under suspicious circumstances. At the time of this issue, the young Numerian was in sole command of the war. No military man, he negotiated terms for an orderly withdrawal and soon died as mysteriously as his father, probably poisoned by one of his officers.

Catalogue XIV

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