FATHER OF CHRISTMAS Boxed Ancient Roman Coin Aurelian 270-275 AD NGC VF

Description: Aurelian: The Father of Christmas Boxed NGC VF Slabbed Coin & Story Card Certification of Authenticity Included AURELIAN AD 270-275 Aurelian is known for reuniting the Empire after its fracture during the reign of Gallienus, and also for being the Father of Christmas. In the year 274, the winter solstice fell on 25 December. The Emperor Aurelian proclaimed that fixed date the Natalis Solis Invicti, the festival of the sun. Early Christians, who in those days worshiped in secret for fear of being fed to the lions, could not celebrate the birth of Jesus in the open. They appropriated the Natalis Solis Invicti for their own purposes, to avoid detection by Roman police. Christmas has been observed on 25 December ever since. It was during the five-year reign of Aurelian that the Alamanni, Goths, Vandals, Juthungi, Sarmatians, and Carpians were decisively defeated, and the breakaway empires of Gaul and Palmyra restored, providing some respite in the Roman Age of Chaos. In 275, the Praetorian Guard honored these impressive accomplishments by stabbing Aurelian in the back repeatedly. The Age of Chaos, also known as the Crisis of the Third Century, was a fifty-year period of extreme political and economic volatility that almost saw the disintegration of the mighty Roman Empire. From 235-284, no fewer than 25 would-be emperors claimed the throne. The coinage in this period suffered accordingly, with quality, size, weight, and fineness all adversely affected, and bronze replacing silver as the metal used. This is a genuine ancient Roman bronze coin struck during the reign of Aurelian. The obverse is a portrait of the Emperor. The various reverses feature mythological and military themes. 21-23.5 mm | 2.7-3.7 g

Price: 199 USD

Location: Highland, New York

End Time: 2024-12-30T17:35:29.000Z

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