Antoninianus - Valerianus ORIENS AVGG; Sol
257 year| Silver | 2.5 g | - |
| 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 |
| Year | 257 |
| Value | Antoninianus (1) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 2.5 g |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#285871 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Sol, radiate, walking left, raising right hand, holding whip in left hand.
Script: Latin
Lettering: ORIENS AVGG
Translation:
Oriens Duorum Augustorum.
The rising sun of the two emperors (Augusti).
Comment
Source:Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
The Antoninianus coin, which was issued during the reign of Valerianus (253-260 AD), was the first Roman coin to feature a portrait of the emperor on one side and a deity on the other. In this case, the obverse (front) of the coin features a portrait of Valerianus, while the reverse (back) features a depiction of the sun god Sol, which is why the coin is sometimes referred to as the "Oriens AVGG" (meaning "East" or "Rising Sun" in Latin). This innovative design was a departure from earlier Roman coins, which typically featured mythological figures or personifications of abstract concepts, and marked a shift towards more realistic and representational artwork on coins.