Antoninianus - Hostilian as Caesar SPES PVBLICA; Spes
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#282891 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Spes, draped, advancing left, holding flower in right hand and raising skirt with left hand.
Script: Latin
Lettering: SPES PVBLICA
Translation:
Spes Publica.
Hope of the public.
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, but its value was not based on the value of the metal itself, but rather on its official value as set by the Roman government. This means that the coin's value was not determined by its weight or purity, but rather by the authority of the Roman state. This was a significant departure from previous Roman coins, which had been based on the value of the metal they contained. The Antoninianus coin was used throughout the Roman Empire and was an important symbol of Roman power and influence.