Aureus - Aurelianus VICTORIA AVG; Tripolis

After Emperor Aurelian’s victory over Queen Zenobia of the Palmyrene Empire, he turned west to confront the Carpi but was soon alerted to a new rebellion in Palmyra. Septimius Apsaios, a key figure in the earlier revolt, attempted to persuade the Roman prefect Marcellinus to claim the imperial title. Although Marcellinus warned Aurelian, the Palmyrenes put forward another usurper, Antiochus. Aurelian rapidly marched back and recaptured Palmyra with ease in March AD 273. However, unlike his earlier clemency, this time he ordered the city sacked—monuments were seized for Rome's Temple of Sol, citizens massacred, the Temple of Bel looted, and Palmyra was effectively destroyed. A Roman legion was stationed there, but the city faded from history. Soon after, Egypt, showing pro-Palmyrene loyalty, also rebelled. As Aurelian prepared to march on Alexandria, a mint was established at Tripolis in Phoenicia to produce a large gold donative—coins made from Palmyra’s spoils—to reward his troops. These coins, including the one discussed, feature imagery celebrating recent victories, such as Victory holding a wreath and palm.