Like many Roman emperors, Aurelian allowed the persecution of the early Christians. Yet remarkably, many people today remember him as the “Father of Christmas.” Now you can get an ancient bronze coin from the Roman Empire struck by Aurelian. You will be able to hold in your hands an authentic artifact that is as significant to world history as it is to Christianity!
During his reign from 270-275, Aurelian followed the principle of “one god, one empire.” In order to give the people a single god to worship, he installed the Syrian sun god Sol Invictus (the Unconquered Sun) as the Empire’s unifying deity and in 271 built a new temple in Rome. As part of this new cult, the winter solstice became a time of celebration and festivities in honor of the “Sun God.” In the year 274 when Aurelian officially proclaimed the winter solstice as “Natalis Solis Invicti” (the festival of the birth of the invincible sun), the date fell on December 25th. Though most historians and religious scholars agree Jesus was actually born in the fall, the early Christians adopted this date for Christmas so that their celebration would not be detected. For this, Aurelian has been known forever since as the “Father of Christmas.”
This bronze Antoninianus shows Aurelian wearing a crown instead of the traditional laurel leaves. Scarce and hard to find, this coin is even more remarkable because you can see all the exquisite detail from the radiating crown on Aurelian’s head to his square jaw and Roman nose.
Aurelian (212-275) proved to be one of Rome’s most capable rulers. In a reign that lasted less than six years, he reunited the empire, restored Roman power in Europe, turned back invaders, quelled revolts, secured provinces in the east and defeated the Germans to the north. For this he took the title restitutor orbis (restorer of the world). He also built a new wall around Rome and increased food distribution to the poor. In September 275, while marching to Persia, he was assassinated by a group of his senior officers, who mistakenly believed that Aurelian had marked them for execution.
