Aurelian Roman AE (AD 270-275) NGC

Own a certified Roman bronze AE of Aurelian (AD 270–275), authenticated and slabbed by NGC. This coin honors one of Rome’s great soldier-emperors, a leader who restored unity to a fractured empire and whose legacy has surprising ties to modern traditions.

Aurelian rose to power during the Crisis of the Third Century, a time when Rome faced simultaneous threats from within and beyond its borders. In a series of brilliant military campaigns, he crushed the breakaway Gallic and Palmyrene Empires, earning the title Restitutor Orbis — "Restorer of the World." His efforts briefly restored the territorial integrity and pride of the Roman Empire.

Beyond his military achievements, Aurelian also played a key role in religious history. In 274 AD, after a decisive victory and the reconsolidation of the empire, he established the festival of Natalis Solis Invicti — the "Birth of the Unconquered Sun" — fixed on December 25, the date of the winter solstice at the time. Early Christians, still practicing largely in secret, later adopted this date to celebrate the birth of Jesus, intertwining Aurelian’s legacy with the origins of Christmas.

Bronze AE coins of Aurelian typically feature his radiate-crowned bust on the obverse, with reverses celebrating military victories, divine protection, or imperial renewal.

Certified by NGC, this AE coin offers collectors a tangible piece of history from one of Rome’s greatest military reformers — a leader whose impact extended far beyond the battlefield.