Antoninianus - Gallienus (SALVS AVG; Salus) (260-268) front Antoninianus - Gallienus (SALVS AVG; Salus) (260-268) back
Antoninianus - Gallienus (SALVS AVG; Salus) (260-268) photo
© Münzsammlung des Seminars für Alte Geschichte, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 DE)

Antoninianus - Gallienus SALVS AVG; Salus

 
Silver 2.6 g 20 mm
Description
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
Weight
2.6 g
Diameter
20 mm
Shape
Round (irregular)
Technique
Hammered
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-05
References
Numista
N#289338
Rarity index
95%

Reverse

Salus, draped, standing left, feeding out of patera in right hand serpent rising from altar and holding sceptre in left hand.

Script: Latin

Lettering: SALVS AVG

Translation:
Salus Augusti.
Health of the emperor (Augustus).

Comment

Example of this type:
Münzsammlung des Seminars für Alte Geschichte, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg

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 portrait of the emperor on the obverse (front side) and a personification of the Roman state, in this case Salus (Salvation), on the reverse (back side). This design change marked a significant shift in Roman coinage, as it emphasized the emperor's role as the protector and savior of the state and its people.