Item Sold At Auction #13
Final Sale Price: $154.00
Denomination: Antoninianus
Grade: Good VF dark brown and green patina
Reference: RIC V pt. 1, 260; Göbl 243f (same obverse 
die); Estiot 9766

  Aurelian. 270-275 AD. Ć Antoninianus (4.47 gm). Second emission, struck Autumn-end of
  271 AD. IMP AVRELANVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right, holding shield and spear
  / SER SER, Jupiter standing left, holding sceptre and presenting globe; P. RIC V pt.
  1, 260; Göbl 243f (same obverse die); Estiot 9766. Good VF, dark brown and green
  patina. A great bust style and highly unusual. Estimate $100.

The reverse has been double struck with exactly 180 
degree die rotation so as to produce what at first
appears to be two identical figures facing each other, one 
upside down from the other. A close examination reveals
that the reverse was struck by two different dies! The
reverse legend should read IOVI CONSERV with the emperor 
standing right, holding sceptre, receiving globe from 
Jupiter, standing left, holding sceptre.
It has been suggested that this could be evidence of
a mint practice whereby two reverse dies paired with a 
single obverse die were being used simultaneously in an 
effort speed production and, because of the heat generated
by repeated striking, to extend the life of the reverse 
dies by allowing them a moment between each strike to cool slightly.