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

Antoninianus - Gallienus VIRTVS AVG

 
Silver 3 g 21 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
3 g
Diameter
21 mm
Shape
Round (irregular)
Technique
Hammered
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-05
References
Numista
N#288918
Rarity index
97%

Reverse

Soldier, standing left, resting right hand on shield and holding spear in left hand. Officina mark in right field.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
VIRTVS AVG
VI

Translation:
Virtus Augusti.
Courage of the emperor.

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

One interesting fact about the Antoninianus coin is that it was introduced by the Roman Emperor Gallienus in 260 AD as a replacement for the denarius, which had been the standard Roman currency for centuries. The Antoninianus was made of silver and had a higher purity level than the denarius, which had been debased over time. The coin was named after Gallienus' predecessor, Antoninus, who had attempted to reform the Roman currency system. Despite its introduction, the Antoninianus did not last long and was eventually replaced by other currencies.