Volusianus AR Antoninianus Rome mint AEQVITAS AVGG RIC 166 AD 251–253

Volusianus, Antoninianus, silver, AD 251–253, 3.01 g, 22 mm. Rome mint. Obverse: IMP CAE C VIB VOLVSIANO AVG; radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Reverse: AEQVITAS AVGG; Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopiae. Struck at Rome with reverse device fully on flan; obverse legend partly off flan; irregular flan with minor surface roughness. Reference: RIC IV Volusian 166.

Volusianus (Gaius Vibius Volusianus) ruled as co-emperor with his father Trebonianus Gallus from AD 251 to 253 during the Gothic wars and the Cyprianic plague. The radiate crown marks the antoninianus denomination, the chief silver issue of the period. The reverse legend AEQVITAS AVGG promotes the equity of the two Augusti, with scales and cornucopiae signifying fair measure and abundance. Both emperors were killed by their own troops after Aemilian’s uprising, leaving a brief Rome-centered coinage.