Antoninianus - Hostilian as Caesar ROMAE AETERNAE; Roma
251 year| Silver | - | - |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Decius (Gaius Messius Quintus Traianus Decius) (249-251) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 251 |
| Value | Antoninianus (1) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#282909 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Roma, helmeted, draped, seated left, holding Victory in right hand and spear in left hand; at her side, shield.
Script: Latin
Lettering: ROMAE AETERNAE
Translation:
Romae Aeternae.
Everlasting Rome.
Comment
Source:Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
The Antoninianus coin was introduced by the Roman Emperor Caracalla in 215 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 Caracalla's adoptive father, Antoninus Pius, and it became the main currency of the Roman Empire for over a century. The Hostilian as Caesar Antoninianus coin is particularly interesting because it features Hostilian, who was the son of Decius, a previous Roman Emperor. Hostilian was appointed as Caesar, or junior emperor, by his father in 250 AD, and he ruled alongside his father until his death in 251 AD. The coin featuring Hostilian as Caesar is a rare example of a Roman coin that features a junior emperor, and it provides valuable insight into the political and social dynamics of the Roman Empire during that time.