SALONINA Antoninianus RIC V 2 # 86 AD 267 - VENVS AVG / PXV in exergue

A well-preserved Billon Antoninianus featuring Salonina, the beloved and highly cultured wife of Emperor Gallienus (reigned 253-268 AD). Salonina's tenure as Augusta spanned the turbulent Crisis of the Third Century, a period of military defeats, plague, invasions, rebellions, rapid turnover of emperors and economic collapse. Despite the chaos, her reign is noted for her influence on Gallienus, who was an advocate for the arts and Hellenic culture. Her coinage, which often depicts her with symbols of piety, fertility, and divine protection, served to legitimize the imperial house during a time of constant civil war.

Empress Salonina and the Goddess of Harmony: The reverse of RIC V 86 features Concordia, the goddess of harmony and agreement, holding a globe and scepter—symbols of imperial unity and divine order. This imagery was a political statement, reinforcing the legitimacy of Gallienus’s rule and the empress’s role as a stabilizing force.

Mint, Siscia (Sisak, modern-day Croatia)

Detailed Grade (by seller): The condition of this coin places it in the Very Fine (VF) range, typical for an ancient coin of this issue.

Strike: The strike is generally centered, with nearly all of the legends visible, which is good for this period. The reverse figure is distinct, though the facial details are less sharp.

Wear: There is moderate, even wear across the highest points of the relief, such as Salonina's portrait and Venus's head/body.

Surface: The surface exhibits some roughness, pitting, and porosity, which is very common for billon (debased silver) antoniniani of the Crisis of the Third Century, where the silver wash often wore away, leaving the base metal exposed and susceptible to corrosion.

The overall appearance is quite pleasing despite the characteristic surface issues of the metal, and both the portrait and the reverse type are easily recognizable. It boasts an excellent strike, with full, legible legends and a sharp portrait. The reverse figure of Venus is well-detailed, and all elements of the type are easily identifiable. While showing the characteristic surface roughness of the billon alloy, the overall presentation is robust and historic.

Reverse: VENVS AVG - A powerful depiction of Venus Augusta, standing left, in the guise of a military deity. She holds a helmet and spear, with a shield resting beside her. This unusual iconography shows Venus not merely as a goddess of love, but as a protector, invoking divine strength and protection for the imperial family during a time of war. The clear rendering of Venus and her attributes makes this a desirable example of the type.