Vaballathus ruled Palmyra as a client of Rome for several years before his mother Zenobia declared outright independence and claimed the eastern provinces. This coin dates to that final confrontation period — Rome under Aurelian moved to suppress the breakaway state in 272, and Palmyra was destroyed. The reign effectively ended before most of these bronzes had any meaningful circulation life.
RIC V.1 #3 is among the commoner Vaballathus types, though "common" is relative for a state that ceased to exist within months of striking them.
Vaballathus ruled Palmyra as a client of Rome for several years before his mother Zenobia declared outright independence and claimed the eastern provinces. This coin dates to that final confrontation period — Rome under Aurelian moved to suppress the breakaway state in 272, and Palmyra was destroyed. The reign effectively ended before most of these bronzes had any meaningful circulation life.
RIC V.1 #3 is among the commoner Vaballathus types, though "common" is relative for a state that ceased to exist within months of striking them.