Antoninianus - Gallienus VIRTVS AVG
| Silver | - | 21 mm |
| 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 |
| Diameter | 21 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#288913 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Gallienus, standing right, holding spear and receiving Victory from Roma; leaning on shield and holding spear.
Script: Latin
Lettering: VIRTVS AVG
Translation:
Virtus Augusti.
Courage of the emperor.
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's interesting to note that the coin's design featured the image of the emperor Gallienus on one side and the goddess Victory on the other, symbolizing the emperor's efforts to promote his own image and legitimacy during a time of political upheaval.
