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Happy Birthday, Sol Invictus

Happy Birthday, Sol Invictus

December 25 is the birthday of the Roman Sun God, Sol Invictus

Dies Natalis Solis Invicti means "the birthday of the unconquered Sun".

The use of the title Sol Invictus allowed several solar deities to be worshipped
collectively, including Elah-Gabal, a Syrian sun god, Sol, the god of Emperor
Aurelian, and Mithras, a soldiers' god of Persian origin.

Emperor Elagabalus (AD 218-222) introduced the festival, and it reached the height
of its popularity under Aurelian, who promoted it as an empire-wide holiday.

The festival was placed on the date of the solstice because this was on this day
that the Sun reversed its southward retreat and proved itself to be
"unconquered".

These coins are from the emperors Antoninus Pius (AD 138-161), Aurelian (AD 270-275),
and Constantine (AD 306-337).

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Antoninus Pius Provincial AE 23 - Emesa, Syria
Obverse: Laureate bust right
AVT KAI TI AIL ANTWNEINOC CEB EV
Reverse: Eagle standing right on sacred stone of Elagabal, B in right field
EMICHNWN
Catalog: BMC 1, SNG Cop-307, 309

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Aurelian Antoninianus - Sol Invictus with Captive
Obverse: Radiate and cuirassed bust right
IMP AVRELIANVS AVG
Reverse: Sol standing left, right hand raised, holding globe, captive at foot
ORIENS AVG - Exergue: S (Serdica mint)
Catalog: RIC Serdica 276

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Aurelian Antoninianus - Sol Invictus Walking
Obverse: Radiate and cuirassed bust right
IMP AVRELIANVS AVG
Reverse: Sol walking right with laurel-branch and bow, treading down an enemy
ORIENS AVG, letter A to left - Exergue: XXIR (Rome mint)
Catalog: RIC Rome 64

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Constantine AE Follis - Sol Invictus - Ticinum Mint
Obverse: Laureate cuirassed bust
IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
Reverse: Sol standing left with orb and raising right hand
SOLI INVICTO COMITI - Exergue: ST (Ticinum Mint)
Catalog: RIC Ticinum 8 - Struck AD 313-314 - Size: 19mm

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Constantine AE Follis - Sol Invictus - Rome Mint
Obverse: Laureate cuirassed bust
IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
Reverse: Sol standing left with orb and raising right hand, captive to left of Sol
SOLI INVICTO COMITI - Exergue: RP (Rome Mint)
Catalog: RIC Rome 2 - Struck around AD 326 - Size: 19mm

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