Antoninianus - Gallienus MARTI VICTORI AVG; Mars
| Silver | - | - |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Gallienus (Publius Licinius Egnatius Gallienus) (253-268) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 260-268 |
| Value | Antoninianus (1) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#288772 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Mars, standing left, holding patera in right hand and spear in left hand.
Script: Latin
Lettering: MARTI VICTORI AVG
Translation:
Marti Victori Augusti.
To Mars, the victorious of the emperor (Augustus).
Comment
Source:Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
The Antoninianus coin , which features Mars on the reverse, was minted during the reign of Gallienus, who was known for his military campaigns and reforms. Despite being made of silver, the coin was actually debased, meaning that it contained less silver than its predecessors, which had been made of pure silver. This debasement was a common practice during the Roman Empire, as it allowed the government to produce more coins with less expensive materials, thereby increasing the money supply and facilitating trade. However, it also led to inflation and a decrease in the value of the currency over time.
