© ReneautPL
© ReneautPL
Antoninianus - Gallienus VIRTVS AVGG; Rome
| Billon (.250 silver) | 3.2 g | 21 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Gallienus (Publius Licinius Egnatius Gallienus) (253-268) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 255-256 |
| Value | Antoninianus (1) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Billon (.250 silver) |
| Weight | 3.2 g |
| Diameter | 21 mm |
| Thickness | 1 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#193998 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 90% |
Reverse
Virtus (the Virility) helmeted, standing left, a shield in right hand and a spear in left hand.
Script: Latin
Lettering: VIRTVS - AVGG
Comment
Rare type, classified R2
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Antoninianus coin is that it was introduced by the Roman Emperor Gallienus in 255 AD as a replacement for the denarius, which had been the standard Roman currency for over 400 years. The Antoninianus was made of billon, a silver-copper alloy, and was designed to be more durable and harder to counterfeit than the denarius. Despite its introduction during a time of economic turmoil, the Antoninianus remained in circulation for over a century and became a staple of Roman commerce.
