Picked this coin up. Unfamiliar area?

joeykoins · December 15, 2020 12:04AM

Hi guys, I'm mostly from across town (U.S. Coin Forum). Bought this ancient coin on a last whim. I just liked the appearance and date.

harasha · December 15, 2020 5:10AM

Appears to be Mars standing left. He would be holding a branch and spear. Complete legend probably is VIRTVS AVGVSTI.

291fifth · December 15, 2020 2:24PM

It is known today as an antoninianus. That name is apparently modern in origin and was not used in ancient times. They are some called double denarius but even that is often called into question.

The coin itself is very low grade and not of great value. The coins of this era are often found in ancient hoards. Be more selective and wait for better condition pieces.

joeykoins · December 15, 2020 5:39PM

@291fifth said:
The coin itself is very low grade...

What do you expect for a coin that's over 1900 yrs. Old? Lol
Just kidding. Thanks for the info.

TitusFlavius · December 15, 2020 10:14PM

It's a common coin, as far as ancient Roman coins go, but from an interesting period in Roman history. This denomination was originally minted in silver, and was worth two silver denarii. However, over the years, as the expenses of defending the Empire's frontiers strained the imperial budget, the purity of the silver in these coins was steadily reduced. A sharp decline to under 5% silver occurred after Gallienus' father, Emperor Valerian, was captured by the Persians while on campaign in the East in 260 AD. Traditionally bronze coins soon fell out of use, since these "silver" coins were little better than bronze themselves.

The quality of the antoninianus remained abysmal until the strong emperor Aurelian restored some semblance of order to both the Empire and its coinage. Coins of good silver wouldn't be reintroduced until 294 AD, and would remain largely subordinate to the gold coinage, the most stable form of money in the late Roman Empire.

joeykoins · December 16, 2020 12:46AM

@TitusFlavius said:
It's a common coin, as far as ancient Roman coins go, but from an interesting period in Roman history. This denomination was originally minted in silver, and was worth two silver denarii. However, over the years, as the expenses of defending the Empire's frontiers strained the imperial budget, the purity of the silver in these coins was steadily reduced. A sharp decline to under 5% silver occurred after Gallienus' father, Emperor Valerian, was captured by the Persians while on campaign in the East in 260 AD. Traditionally bronze coins soon fell out of use, since these "silver" coins were little better than bronze themselves.

The quality of the antoninianus remained abysmal until the strong emperor Aurelian restored some semblance of order to both the Empire and its coinage. Coins of good silver wouldn't be reintroduced until 294 AD, and would remain largely subordinate to the gold coinage, the most stable form of money in the late Roman Empire.

Thanks for the info. I like your sig line.

joeykoins · December 16, 2020 12:49AM

@harasha said:
Appears to be Mars standing left. He would be holding a branch and spear. Complete legend probably is VIRTVS AVGVSTI.

Thanks

Picked this coin up. Unfamiliar area?

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