Antoninianus - Gallienus (VIRTVS AVGG) (255-256) front Antoninianus - Gallienus (VIRTVS AVGG) (255-256) back
Antoninianus - Gallienus (VIRTVS AVGG) (255-256) photo
© Münzkabinett der Universität Göttingen (CC BY-NC 4.0 DE)

Antoninianus - Gallienus VIRTVS AVGG

 
Silver 2.9 g 20.5 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
2.9 g
Diameter
20.5 mm
Shape
Round (irregular)
Technique
Hammered
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-05
References
Numista
N#286602
Rarity index
97%

Reverse

Soldier, helmeted, in military attire, standing left, resting on shield and holding spear.

Script: Latin

Lettering: VIRTVS AVGG

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

Comment

Mass varies: 2.76–2.98 g;
Diameter varies: 19.76–21 mm;

Example of this type:
Münzkabinett der Universität Göttingen

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.