Antoninianus - Gallienus Mercury
| 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#289486 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Mercury, nude except for cloak draped over left arm, standing left, holding purse in right hand and caduceus in left hand.
Comment
Source:Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
The Antoninianus, also known as the Gallienus, was a coin introduced by the Roman Emperor Gallienus in 260 AD, during a time of economic crisis and political instability. It was made of silver, but its purity was lower than that of previous Roman silver coins, which had been minted with a higher percentage of pure silver. Despite this, the Antoninianus remained a widely used coin throughout the Roman Empire and was valued for its durability and portability. It was often used for trade and commerce, and its design featured an image of the Roman god Mercury, who was revered for his speed and agility. The coin's design was meant to symbolize the Roman Empire's strength and prosperity, and it remained in circulation for over a century, until the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD.