Antoninianus - Tacitus PROVIDEN DEOR; Providentia
| Silver | - | - |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Tacitus (Marcus Claudius Tacitus) (275-276) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 275-276 |
| 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#291833 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Providentia, draped, standing right, holding ensign, facing Sol, standing left, raising right hand and holding globe in left hand.
Scripts: Latin, Greek
Lettering:
PROVIDEN DEOR
*//KAΔ
Translation:
Providentia Deorum.
Foresight of the gods.
Comment
Source:Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
The Antoninianus coin was introduced by the Roman Emperor Tacitus in 275-276 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 introduction of the Antoninianus was an attempt to restore the Roman currency to its former glory and stabilize the Roman economy. The coin features an image of Tacitus on one side and the goddess Providentia on the other, with the inscription "PROVIDEN DEOR" (Providence of the Gods) on the reverse. The coin's design was meant to convey the idea that Tacitus' rule was divinely ordained and that he was a just and wise leader. Despite its introduction as a replacement for the denarius, the Antoninianus did not last long as the standard Roman currency. It was eventually replaced by the argenteus, another silver coin introduced by the Emperor Diocletian in 293 AD. However, the Antoninianus remains an interesting and valuable piece of Roman history for collectors and historians today.