© Münzsammlung des Seminars für Alte Geschichte, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 DE)
© Münzsammlung des Seminars für Alte Geschichte, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 DE)
Antoninianus - Valerianus II SPES PVBLICA; Spes
| Silver | 4.2 g | 23 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Valerian (Publius Licinius Valerianus) (253-260) Gallienus (Publius Licinius Egnatius Gallienus) (253-268) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 254-255 |
| Value | Antoninianus (1) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 4.2 g |
| Diameter | 23 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#289855 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Spes, draped, walking left, holding flower in right hand and raising robe with left hand.
Script: Latin
Lettering: SPES PVBLICA
Translation:
Spes Publica.
Hope of the public.
Comment
Example of this type:Münzsammlung des Seminars für Alte Geschichte, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
The Antoninianus coin featuring Valerianus II (SPES PVBLICA; Spes) was issued during a time of great economic and political turmoil in the Roman Empire. The coin's silver content was actually decreased during this period, which is evident in its weight of 4.2 grams, compared to the standard 4.5 grams of earlier issues. This decrease in silver content was likely a result of the empire's financial struggles and its attempts to increase the money supply. Despite these challenges, the coin still features a beautiful image of the goddess Spes (Hope) on its reverse side, symbolizing the empire's resilience and determination to persevere through difficult times.
