Antoninianus - Gallienus ORIENS AVG; Sol
| 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#288784 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Sol, radiate, nude except for cloak draped around shoulders, walking or running left, raising right hand and holding whip in left hand. Officina mark in left field.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
ORIENS AVG
Z
Translation:
Oriens Augusti.
The rising sun of the emperor (Augustus).
Comment
Source:Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
The Antoninianus coin, which was issued during the reign of Gallienus (260-268 AD), was the first Roman coin to feature a radiate crown on the emperor's head, which symbolized the sun god Sol, who was worshipped as the protector of the empire. This design change marked a significant shift in Roman coinage, as it moved away from the traditional depiction of the emperor wearing a laurel wreath and towards a more symbolic and mythological representation of the emperor's power.
