© pimmy (CC BY-NC-SA)
© pimmy (CC BY-NC-SA)
Antoninianus - Valerianus VIRTVS AVGG
| Silver | 3.8 g | 19 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 | 255-256 |
| Value | Antoninianus (1) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 3.8 g |
| Diameter | 19 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#286212 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 95% |
Reverse
Valerian and Gallienus, standing face to face, one holding a spear in right hand and globe in left hand, the other holding Victory in right hand and spear in left hand.
Script: Latin
Lettering: VIRTVS AVGG
Translation:
Virtus Augustorum.
Courage of the emperors (Augusti).
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 was introduced during the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161 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, weighing only 3.8 grams compared to the denarius' 3.9 grams. Despite its smaller size, the Antoninianus was valued at 20% more than the denarius, reflecting the inflationary pressures of the time. This coin was widely used throughout the Roman Empire and remained in circulation until the 4th century AD.
