ANTONINIANUS: COIN OF ROMAN EMPIRE
Antoninianus (Gordian III, FORTUNA REDUX), 238-244 AD: Roman Empire
The classic antoninianus is a silver Roman coin worth 2 denarius.
Ruler: Gordian III — Roman emperor (youngest sole Roman emperor — began his reign at the age of 13).
FORTVNA REDVX: latin "Fortune of return" (happy return of the emperor from the trip).
Goddess Fortuna, patroness of return from a dangerous journey and the personification of luck in Roman religion, seated holding cornucopia and rudder (control surface — a part of the steering apparatus — that used to steer a ship or boat).
IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG: IMPERATOR GORDIANVS PIVS FELIX AVGVSTVS — latin "Emperor Gordian Pious and Blessed Augustus").
Imperator with radiate crown — a typical, characteristic motif of antoninianus coins.
Antioch mint: nowadays Turkish city of Antakya.
- Silver: 24 mm - 3.7 g
- Reference price: 25$
COIN ANTONINIANUS — WHERE & WHEN (coins catalog: by names & emitents)
- ROMAN EMPIRE (3th century): antoninianus = 2 denarius
The real (used at the time of issue) name of the antoninianus coin is not known for sure. This numismatic term originated later, in the Middle Ages, in honor of the Emperor Caracalla (full name: Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus), who initiated its mintage.
