Roman Emperor Aurelian

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“Father of Christmas ” Roman Emperor Aurelian It is a little-known fact that the real Father of Christmas was a staunch pagan. Aurelian became emperor at what was, at the time, the nadir of Ancient Rome. In 270, the eastern and western sections of the empire seceded, the economy was in freefall, plague decimated the population, and enemies lurked on all borders, eager to attack. In just five years, he managed to stop the invasions, stabilize the currency, and bring the breakaway empires back into the fold. He credited his incredible success to Invictus Sol, the God of the Unconquered Sun. Worship of this pagan god became the de facto state religion, and Aurelian hoped that widespread adoption of the cult would work to unify the Empire, in the way that Christianity would for Constantine 50 years later. Thus he persecuted rival sects, including Christians. He declared the winter solstice—December 25, in the year 274—the feast day of Invictus Sol. Around that time, in an effort to win over the people, he cancelled public debts, made a bonfire of the relevant records, and levied harsh taxes on the wealthy. Unable to worship without fear of reprisal, the Christians gathered under the ruse of the Feast of the Sun God, meanwhile praying to their own Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This was how the date of Christmas—literally, Christ’s Mass—came to be fixed on December 25th. The gift-giving spirit of the tax cancellations and bonfires, meanwhile, came to be known as the “Christmas spirit.” Thus was Aurelian, pagan emperor of Rome, the true Father of Christmas. The shortage of silver over the previous 20 years resulted in the gradually depletion of nearly all silver content of coins. Aurelian was able to restore the empire and reform the coinage, but not the silver content. The coins resulting from his decrees were mostly bronze, heavier than its predecessor, better made, but contained only 4% silver. The newer coin today is referred to by some numismatists as the Aurelianus. This is one of those coins, showing a portrait of the emperor Aurelian. It closely resembles the earlier coin, the Antoninianus. Both “radiate” coins are characterized by an image of the emperor wearing a spiked “radiate” crown. The newer coin is often referred to as a “post-reform radiate”. Historians to this day debate the official names that were given to late Roman coinage, so you will see these coins referred to by all of the above. Ctry & issue date Rome / 270-275 AD Denomination Antoninianus Material Billon Weight 2.7-3.7 g Diameter 21-23.5 mm Image shows typical coin, not to scale Obverse Portrait and legend Album open measures: 11” x 7.5” Order code: AURELALB Reverse Various personifications or military themes .

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TIMELINE of ROMAN IMPERIAL COINAGE
27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 B.C. AUGUSTUS 16 Jan 27 BC AUGUSTUS CAESAR Other title: e.g. Filius Augustorum Aureus 7.8g KEY TO METALLIC COMPOSITION Quinarius Aureus GOLD Gold Aureus 25 silver Denarii Gold Quinarius 12.5 silver Denarii SILVER Silver Denarius 16 copper Asses Silver Quinarius 8 copper Asses DE-BASED SILVER from c. 260 Brass Sestertius 4 copper Asses Brass Dupondius 2 copper Asses ORICHALCUM (BRASS) Copper As 4 copper Quadrantes Brass Semis 2 copper Quadrantes COPPER Copper Quadrans Denarius 3.79g 96-98% fine Quinarius Argenteus 1.73g 92% fine Sestertius 25.5g Dupondius 12.5g As 10.5g Semis Quadrans TIMELINE of ROMAN IMPERIAL COINAGE B.C. 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 A.D.A.D. denominational relationships relationships based on Aureus Aureus 7.8g 1 Quinarius Aureus 3.89g 2 Denarius 3.79g 25 50 Sestertius 25.4g 100 Dupondius 12.4g 200 As 10.5g 400 Semis 4.59g 800 Quadrans 3.61g 1600 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 91011 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 19 Aug TIBERIUS TIBERIUS Aureus 7.75g Aureus Quinarius Aureus 3.87g Quinarius Aureus Denarius 3.76g 96-98% fine Denarius Sestertius 27g Sestertius Dupondius 14.5g Dupondius As 10.9g As Semis Quadrans 3.61g Quadrans 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 TIBERIUS CALIGULA CLAUDIUS Aureus 7.75g 7.63g Quinarius Aureus 3.87g 3.85g Denarius 3.76g 96-98% fine 3.75g 98% fine Sestertius 27g 28.7g
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