Antoninianus - Tacitus SALVS AVG; Salus
| 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#291793 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Salus, draped, standing right, feeding out of patera held in left hand serpent held in arms.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
SALVS AVG
-/-//T
Translation:
Salus Augusti.
Health of the emperor (Augustus).
Comment
Source:Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
The Antoninianus coin was introduced during the reign of Emperor Tacitus (275-276 AD) as a replacement for the denarius, which had been the standard Roman silver coin for centuries. The Antoninianus was made of silver, but it was smaller and lighter than the denarius, with a lower silver content. This change in the coinage system was likely done to address economic issues and inflation that had plagued the Roman Empire in the 3rd century AD. Despite its lower value, the Antoninianus remained an important coin in the Roman Empire until its fall in the 5th century AD.