Antoninianus - Valerianus VIRTVS AVGG; Roma
| Silver | - | - |
| 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 | 254-258 |
| Value | Antoninianus (1) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#286016 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Roma, helmeted, draped, standing left, resting on shield and holding spear in left hand.
Script: Latin
Lettering: VIRTVS AVGG
Translation:
Virtus Augustorum.
Courage of the emperors (Augusti).
Comment
Source:Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
The Antoninianus coin was introduced during the reign of Emperor Valerian (253-260 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, with a lower silver content. This change in the coinage system was likely done to address economic issues and inflation that the Roman Empire was facing at the time. Despite its lower value, the Antoninianus remained an important coin in the Roman Empire for over a century, and it was used as a model for other coins in Europe during the Middle Ages.