Silver antoninianus of Emperor Volusianus

Silver antoninianus of Emperor Volusianus, Rome mint, struck 251-253 CE during his brief joint reign with Trebonianus Gallus; weight c. 3.3 g, diameter c. 22 mm. Obverse legend IMP CAE C VIB VOLVSIANO AVG surrounds a radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Reverse legend PAX AVGG depicts Pax standing facing left, holding olive branch and transverse sceptre, invoking concord between the two emperors. Coin shows typical third-century billon alloy with light silver surface, often toned pale grey with bluish highlights. Strike is generally well centred but may display flatness on high points. References: RIC IV Volusian 179

Issued at the outset of renewed Gothic pressure on the Danube, the coin promoted Pax, an abstract reassurance to a population beleaguered by war and plague. The shared reverse legend AVGG referenced both Volusianus and his father, underlining dynastic legitimacy after the fall of Decius. The antoninianus exemplifies the period's accelerating silver debasement.