Reign of Emperor Gallienus (253-268 A.D.)

Obverse: IMP GALLIENVS PIVS AVG, Radiate cuirassed bust of Emperor Gallienus facing right.

Reverse VIRTVS AVG Virtus standing right, resting hand on shield and holding spear.

In very good condition. In modern handcrafted silver pendant.

22 mm diameter; 8.4 g

Worldwide shipping and Certificate of Authenticity included in price.

Export Approval from Israel Antiquities Authority

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Publius Licinius Egnatius Gallienus (218-268) ruled the Roman Empire as co-emperor with his father Valerian from 253 to 260, and then as the sole Roman Emperor from 260 to 268. He took control of the empire at a time when it was undergoing great crisis. His record in dealing with those crises is mixed, as he won a number of military victories but was unable to keep much of his realm from seceding.

The Antoninianus was a denomination of currency Initially introduced under the Emperor Caracalla in 215 A.D with the supposed the equivalent value in silver of 2 denarii. However, due to the financial crisis of the time its value was not actually equivalent. This was further undermined by the degredation of the currency of the realm. This is futher emphasized by the fact that this example is made of Billon, an alloy of silver and copper, with a much larger percentage of copper.

Virtus was the deity of bravery and military strength, the personification of the Roman virtue of virtus. He/she was one of the di indigetes. The Greek equivalent deity was Arete.

Antique Coins
Ancient coins