Lot 4459

AE Antoninianus (Antioch c. March-May 272, 2.28 g) - IM C VHABALATHVS AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right / IVENVS Hercules standing right, lion's skin on arm, leaning on club and holding three apples, star in left field (RIC 4) - VF. Vabalathus was the son of Odenathus, ruler of Palmyra, and the famous queen Zenobia. He became king of Palmyra in 267 after the murder of his father, with Zenobia ruling in his name due to his young age. It is during the short period of the war between Rome and Palmyra that our coin bearing the name of Vabalathus Augustus was issued.