© Münzkabinett der Universität Göttingen (CC BY-NC 4.0 DE)
© Münzkabinett der Universität Göttingen (CC BY-NC 4.0 DE)
Antoninianus - Valerianus ORIENS AVGG; Sol
| Billon (.272 silver) | 3.2 g | 22.5 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 | 257-258 |
| Value | Antoninianus (1) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Billon (.272 silver) |
| Weight | 3.2 g |
| Diameter | 22.5 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#285872 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 90% |
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).
Edge
Rough
Comment
Attributed to Lugdunum in the 1927 RIC edition, this coin was reallocated to Cologne (mint I) by Elmer in 1974, which is confirmed by the current work of S. Estiot.Interesting fact
The Antoninianus coin was issued during the reign of Valerianus, who was Roman Emperor from 253 to 260 AD. During his reign, the Roman Empire faced numerous challenges, including invasions by barbarian tribes and economic instability. Despite these challenges, the Antoninianus coin remained a widely used denomination, and its production continued until the late 3rd century AD. It's interesting to note that the coin's design features the image of Sol, the Roman god of the sun, on the reverse side. This suggests that the coin was intended to symbolize the power and radiance of the Roman Empire, even during a time of turmoil and uncertainty.
