{"title":"Roman Antoninianus Coins, Authenticated Third-Century Silver and Billon","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe antoninianus is the silver — and then billon — coin Rome turned to when the denarius could no longer pay the army. Caracalla introduced it in AD 215 as a doubled denomination, valued at two denarii but containing only about 1.5 denarii of silver. From that moment, the antoninianus was a debasement instrument. By the reign of Gallienus (AD 253-268) the silver content had collapsed to under five percent. By Aurelian's reform in AD 274, the coin survived only as a copper core with a silver wash. It was abolished by Diocletian's monetary reform in AD 294, ending an eighty-year experiment in inflationary coinage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis collection is Aurora's current stock of antoniniani — four authenticated examples spanning Philip I, Gordian III, Probus, and the wider third-century Crisis-period mints. Each is RIC-referenced, photographed obverse and reverse at 2,048 pixels, independently reviewed by a numismatist, and backed by Aurora's written lifetime authenticity guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy antoniniani matter to a collector\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAntoniniani sit at one of the most volatile moments in Roman monetary history — the so-called Crisis of the Third Century (AD 235-284). The coin is the metallic witness to the empire's near-collapse: barbarian invasions on multiple frontiers, economic dislocation, hyperinflation, civil wars, and a procession of short-reigned emperors who appear on these coins and then vanish from history. Holding an antoninianus of Philip I, killed by Decius in AD 249, or Probus, murdered by his own troops in AD 282, connects directly to that instability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe denomination is also identifiable at a glance by the radiate crown: a circle of sun-rays around the emperor's head, signalling the doubled denomination. For empresses, the equivalent marker is the crescent moon below the bust. The radiate crown is the antoninianus's signature feature — see \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/questions-and-answers\/roman-coin-denominations-explained\"\u003ethe full denomination guide\u003c\/a\u003e for context.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat to check on an antoninianus\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThree signals separate a collectible antoninianus from a worn or problematic one. The radiate crown should be sharp — the sun-ray points crisply incised, not smeared. The portrait should match documented die-style for the named emperor (the third-century crisis emperors have brutal, frontal, schematic portraits that are unmistakable once learned). The reverse should match a published RIC type; Aurora's catalogue references the relevant entry on every listing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWeight for a Caracalla-to-Severus-Alexander antoninianus: 3.0 to 5.0 grams of nearly-pure silver. By the 250s, weight drops to 2.5 to 3.5 grams at 30-40 percent silver. By the 270s, 2.0 to 3.0 grams with only trace silver under a thin surface wash. The wash, when present, often wears off on circulated examples — exposing the copper core is normal, not a flaw. The full check is in our guide on \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/questions-and-answers\/how-to-authenticate-an-ancient-roman-coin\"\u003ehow to authenticate an ancient Roman coin\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy buy an antoninianus from Aurora\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTwo reasons. First, the work done before the coin reaches the listing page: seven antiquarian markers, RIC reference confirmed, OCRE cross-reference, independent numismatist sign-off. Second, the written lifetime authenticity guarantee — if an antoninianus from Aurora is ever shown to be inauthentic, we refund the full purchase price, without time limit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAll four antoniniani in this collection ship insured worldwide from Belgium with provenance documentation. For the broader Roman silver range, see \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coins\"\u003ethe full Roman coin catalogue\u003c\/a\u003e. For the wider Severan dynasty silver, see \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/severan-dynasty-coins\"\u003ethe Severan dynasty coin collection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"aurora-coin-c-001-s","title":"Roman Silver Antoninianus 'Philip I “the Arab”' (247-249 AD, RIC IV-1 57)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRoman Silver Antoninianus 'Philip I \"the Arab\"' (247-249 AD, RIC IV-1 57)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA very fine (vf) antoninianus struck under Philip I \"the Arab\" at Rome in 247-249 AD.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eObverse\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLegend:\u003c\/em\u003e IMP PHILIPPVS AVG\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFull Latin:\u003c\/em\u003e IMPERATOR PHILIPPVS AVGVSTVS\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTranslation:\u003c\/em\u003e Emperor, Augustus\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDescription:\u003c\/em\u003e Imperial portrait.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eReverse\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLegend:\u003c\/em\u003e AEQVITAS AVGG\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFull Latin:\u003c\/em\u003e AEQVITAS AVGVSTORVM\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTranslation:\u003c\/em\u003e Equity (personification of fair distribution), of the Augusti (joint emperors)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDescription:\u003c\/em\u003e Aequitas, draped, standing left, holding scales in right hand and cornucopiae in left hand\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHistorical context\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilip I, surnamed 'the Arab' for his Syrian origins, ruled the Roman Empire from 244 to 249 CE. His reign coincided with the Empire's millennial celebrations of 248 AD, marking 1,000 years since the founding of Rome. Antoniniani struck under Philip carry the radiate crown that distinguishes the double-denarius from the single, a denomination introduced by Caracalla in 215 to address third-century inflation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDenomination: Antoninianus\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMint: Rome\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDate struck: 247-249 AD\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eReference: RIC IV-1 57\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWeight: 1.9 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDiameter: 22 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDie axis: \u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCondition: Very Fine (VF)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWear it as a pendant\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis coin can be paired with our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handmade-925-silver-chain-with-bail\"\u003ehandmade 925 silver chain with bail\u003c\/a\u003e to wear it as a pendant. The bail is custom-fitted to the coin and fully reversible — the original artifact remains untouched. Add the chain to your order alongside this piece, or leave it in its original form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcquired by Aurora Antiqua directly. Each piece is independently evaluated, identified, and documented by Aurora Antiqua before listing. A certificate of authenticity is included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Aurora Antiqua","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":61808107061578,"sku":"C-001-S","price":180.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7140\/9738\/files\/C-001-S-01-obverse-1.jpg?v=1778504185"},{"product_id":"aurora-coin-c-017-s","title":"Roman Billon Antoninianus 'Probus' (276-282 CE, RIC V Probus 920)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRoman Billon Antoninianus 'Probus' (276-282 CE, RIC V Probus 920)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA very fine (vf) antoninianus struck under Probus at Antiochia in 276-282 CE.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eObverse\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLegend:\u003c\/em\u003e IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFull Latin:\u003c\/em\u003e IMPERATOR C MARCVS AVR PROBVS PIVS FILIVS AVGVSTVS\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTranslation:\u003c\/em\u003e Emperor, Marcus, Dutiful, son of, Augustus\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDescription:\u003c\/em\u003e Imperial portrait.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eReverse\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLegend:\u003c\/em\u003e CLEMENTIA TEMP\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFull Latin:\u003c\/em\u003e CLEMENTIA TEMP\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTranslation:\u003c\/em\u003e -\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDescription:\u003c\/em\u003e Probus standing right, receiving globe from Jupiter standing left, both holding sceptres\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHistorical context\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProbus (276-282 CE) was a soldier-emperor of the third-century crisis who restored Roman frontiers in Gaul, Egypt, and the East. His antoniniani were struck across an unusually wide network of mints, with Antiochia issues marked by the XXI exergue notation. The XXI mark indicates the silver-bronze ratio (20:1) of the debased radiate, a piece of monetary transparency unusual for the period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDenomination: Antoninianus\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMint: Antiochia\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDate struck: 276-282 CE\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eReference: RIC V Probus 920\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWeight: 3.8 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDiameter: 22 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDie axis: \u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCondition: Very Fine (VF)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWear it as a pendant\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis coin can be paired with our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handmade-925-silver-chain-with-bail\"\u003ehandmade 925 silver chain with bail\u003c\/a\u003e to wear it as a pendant. The bail is custom-fitted to the coin and fully reversible — the original artifact remains untouched. Add the chain to your order alongside this piece, or leave it in its original form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcquired by Aurora Antiqua directly. Each piece is independently evaluated, identified, and documented by Aurora Antiqua before listing. A certificate of authenticity is included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Aurora Antiqua","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":61808117514570,"sku":"C-017-S","price":120.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7140\/9738\/files\/C-017-S-01-obverse-1.jpg?v=1778504418"},{"product_id":"aurora-coin-c-018-s","title":"Roman Billon Antoninianus 'Gordian III' (241-243 CE)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRoman Billon Antoninianus 'Gordian III' (241-243 CE)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA very fine (vf) antoninianus struck under Gordian III at Rome in 241-243 CE.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eObverse\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLegend:\u003c\/em\u003e IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFull Latin:\u003c\/em\u003e IMPERATOR GORDIANVS PIVS FELIX AVGVSTVS\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTranslation:\u003c\/em\u003e Emperor, Dutiful, Fortunate, Augustus\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDescription:\u003c\/em\u003e Imperial portrait.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eReverse\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLegend:\u003c\/em\u003e SECVRIT PERP\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFull Latin:\u003c\/em\u003e SECVRIT PERP\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTranslation:\u003c\/em\u003e -\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDescription:\u003c\/em\u003e Securitas standing left, holding sceptre and leaning on column\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHistorical context\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGordian III ascended at age 13 in 238 CE and ruled until 244, when he died in unclear circumstances during the Parthian campaign. His antoniniani are among the most common third-century radiates, struck at Rome and Antioch. Reverses typically celebrate military virtues (Mars, Virtus) or general Imperial themes (Providentia, Securitas), reflecting the precarious geopolitics of his short reign.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDenomination: Antoninianus\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMint: Rome\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDate struck: 241-243 CE\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eReference: RIC IV Gordian III (SECVRIT PERP type)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWeight: 3.4 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDiameter: 23 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDie axis: \u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCondition: Very Fine (VF)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWear it as a pendant\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis coin can be paired with our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handmade-925-silver-chain-with-bail\"\u003ehandmade 925 silver chain with bail\u003c\/a\u003e to wear it as a pendant. The bail is custom-fitted to the coin and fully reversible — the original artifact remains untouched. Add the chain to your order alongside this piece, or leave it in its original form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcquired by Aurora Antiqua directly. Each piece is independently evaluated, identified, and documented by Aurora Antiqua before listing. A certificate of authenticity is included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Aurora Antiqua","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":61808118923594,"sku":"C-018-S","price":130.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7140\/9738\/files\/C-018-S-01-obverse.jpg?v=1778504434"},{"product_id":"aurora-coin-c-019-s","title":"Roman Billon Antoninianus 'Philip II' (244-249 CE, RIC IV Philip I 240)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRoman Billon Antoninianus 'Philip II' (244-249 CE, RIC IV Philip I 240)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA fair antoninianus struck under Philip II at Antiochia in 244-249 CE.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eObverse\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLegend:\u003c\/em\u003e IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFull Latin:\u003c\/em\u003e IMPERATOR MARCVS IVL PHILIPPVS AVGVSTVS\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTranslation:\u003c\/em\u003e Emperor, Marcus, Augustus\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDescription:\u003c\/em\u003e Imperial portrait.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eReverse\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLegend:\u003c\/em\u003e AEQVITAS AVGG\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFull Latin:\u003c\/em\u003e AEQVITAS AVGVSTORVM\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTranslation:\u003c\/em\u003e Equity (personification of fair distribution), of the Augusti (joint emperors)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDescription:\u003c\/em\u003e Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopia\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHistorical context\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilip II was the son and co-emperor of Philip I, raised to Augustus alongside his father in 247 CE. His antoniniani are typically struck at Antioch where the family's Syrian connections favored eastern mints. Both emperors fell in 249 against Decius, and their issues are sometimes finished post-mortem with stylistic variants that aid attribution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDenomination: Antoninianus\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMint: Antiochia\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDate struck: 244-249 CE\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eReference: RIC IV Philip I 240\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWeight: 3.5 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDiameter: 22 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDie axis: \u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCondition: Fair\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWear it as a pendant\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis coin can be paired with our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handmade-925-silver-chain-with-bail\"\u003ehandmade 925 silver chain with bail\u003c\/a\u003e to wear it as a pendant. The bail is custom-fitted to the coin and fully reversible — the original artifact remains untouched. Add the chain to your order alongside this piece, or leave it in its original form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcquired by Aurora Antiqua directly. Each piece is independently evaluated, identified, and documented by Aurora Antiqua before listing. A certificate of authenticity is included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Aurora Antiqua","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":61808123380042,"sku":"C-019-S","price":110.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7140\/9738\/files\/C-019-S-01-obverse.jpg?v=1778504446"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7140\/9738\/collections\/C-001-S-01-obverse-1.jpg?v=1779098884","url":"https:\/\/auroraantiqua.store\/collections\/antoninianus-coins.oembed","provider":"Aurora Antiqua","version":"1.0","type":"link"}