Antoninianus - Diocletianus VIRTVS AVG; Sol
| Silver | 4 g | 22.5 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Diocletian (Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus) (284-305) Maximian Herculius (Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus) (286-305) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 285-294 |
| Value | Antoninianus (1) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 4 g |
| Diameter | 22.5 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#306034 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Soldier, draped, cuirassed, standing left, leaning on shield with right hand and holding spear in left hand.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
VIRTVS AVG
-/-//QXXIT
Translation:
Virtus Augusti.
Courage of the emperor.
Comment
Mass varies: 4.02–4.03 g;Diameter varies: 22–23 mm;
Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it was issued during the reign of Diocletian, who was the first Roman emperor to introduce a new system of coinage that was based on the silver argenteus, which was a coin equal in weight to 1/96th of a Roman pound. This system reformed the Roman currency and helped to combat inflation, which had become a significant problem in the empire. The Antoninianus, which was introduced by Diocletian in 285 AD, was a coin that was equal in weight to 1/24th of a Roman ounce, and it was made of silver. It was used as a standard circulation coin throughout the Roman Empire and was an important part of the new currency system.
