Antoninianus - Gallienus (VIRTVS AVGG) (255-256) front Antoninianus - Gallienus (VIRTVS AVGG) (255-256) back
Antoninianus - Gallienus (VIRTVS AVGG) (255-256) photo
© American Numismatic Society (ANS)

Antoninianus - Gallienus VIRTVS AVGG

 
Silver 3.5 g 21.5 mm
Description
Issuer
Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD)
Emperor
Gallienus (Publius Licinius Egnatius Gallienus) (253-268) Valerian (Publius Licinius Valerianus) (253-260)
Type
Standard circulation coin
Years
255-256
Value
Antoninianus (1)
Currency
Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301)
Composition
Silver
Weight
3.5 g
Diameter
21.5 mm
Shape
Round (irregular)
Technique
Hammered
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-05
References
Numista
N#286268
Rarity index
97%

Reverse

Gallienus and Valerian, in military attire, standing face to face, one holding Victory and the other holding globe.

Script: Latin

Lettering: VIRTVS AVGG

Translation:
Virtus Augustorum.
Courage of the emperors (Augusti).

Comment

Mass varies: 3–3.87 g;
Diameter varies: 20–23 mm;

Example of this type:
American Numismatic Society (ANS)

Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)

Interesting fact

The Antoninianus coin, which was issued during the reign of Gallienus (253-268 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 signaled a shift towards a more relaxed attitude towards personal grooming in the Roman Empire.