Antoninianus - Valerianus (SALVS AVGG; Salus) (257-259) front Antoninianus - Valerianus (SALVS AVGG; Salus) (257-259) back
Antoninianus - Valerianus (SALVS AVGG; Salus) (257-259) photo
© Münzsammlung des Seminars für Alte Geschichte, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 DE)

Antoninianus - Valerianus SALVS AVGG; Salus

 
Silver 3.1 g 21 mm
Description
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
257-259
Value
Antoninianus (1)
Currency
Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301)
Composition
Silver
Weight
3.1 g
Diameter
21 mm
Shape
Round (irregular)
Technique
Hammered
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-05
References
Numista
N#286162
Rarity index
92%

Reverse

Salus, draped, standing right, feeding serpent held in arms.

Script: Latin

Lettering: SALVS AVGG

Translation:
Salus Duorum Augustorum.
Health of the two emperors (Augusti).

Comment

Mass varies: 2.87–3.31 g;

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, which was issued during the reign of Valerianus (257-259 AD), was a significant departure from previous Roman coins in terms of its design. It featured a new image of the Roman goddess Salus (Salvation) on the reverse side, which was a departure from the traditional depiction of the goddess Roma on Roman coins. This change in design was likely intended to promote the idea of the Roman Empire as a force for good and salvation, rather than simply a symbol of power and authority.