Crawford notes that the obverse type alludes to the capture of Lipara by a relative, C. Aurelius Cotta, Cos. 252. The reverse type to the triumph as well. There is a well known bronze coin (SNG Copenhagen 1084) with a heroic looking Aiolos and a prow on the reverse. It is true that there are some similarities to the cap worn by Vulcan. That said, Roman Republican scholar and professor, Liz Yarrow, makes a better argument for Malaka in Spain which almost mirrors the obverse type perfectly.  She also is unable to find a compelling argument for the striking similarity but I like her investigative skills. Here is a link to her blog: https://livyarrow.org/tag/roman-republican-coinage/page/3/