About the coin: The Antoninian is a small silver coin of the Roman Empire, minted in 215 during the reign of Caracalla. The coin is named after Caracalla's name, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. Antoninianus were similar to denarii, but slightly larger, and depicted emperors with a radial crown on their heads.
On the 253-260 AD, the Antoninianus were the first to bear the Roman emblem. Antoninianus was minted with the image of the Roman Emperor Valerian. The obverse of the silver coins depicts a glowing, ornate bust of Emperor Valerian, with a radiant crown on his head, facing to the right. Around the coins are engraved words reflecting the Emperor's name 'VALERIAN'. Emperor Valerian, the father of Gallienus, reigned from 253 to 260. Valerian was the only Roman Emperor to become a prisoner of war.
Antoninianus reverses vary accordingly by year. Antoninianus minted between 253 and 260 depicts an Italia turrita (the national personification or allegory of Italy, the appearance of a young woman surrounded by a crown or a headdress depicting the walls, towers or fortresses of a city) presenting a wreath to the Emperor standing on the left holding a lance. Also on the reverse, the Roman goddess of honesty and divinity, Fides, can be seen holding two signs/sceptres.
