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 3.7 g 22 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
3.7 g
Diameter
22 mm
Shape
Round (irregular)
Technique
Hammered
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-05
References
Numista
N#289518
Rarity index
94%

Reverse

Soldier, helmeted, in military attire, standing left, holding shield in right hand and spear in left hand.

Script: Latin

Lettering: VIRTVS AVG

Translation:
Virtus Augusti.
Courage of the emperor.

Comment

Mass varies: 3.53–3.91 g;

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 wearing a beard. This was a departure from the traditional clean-shaven image of Roman emperors and signified a shift in the cultural and social norms of the time.