#24)
Silver (Billon*) Antoninianus, a.k.a. Double Denarius, of Saloninus, as
Caesar, (A.D. 260)
Lugdunum (possibly Cologne**) mint, A.D. 258 - 260
RIC 9
Obverse: SALON VALERIANVS CAES.
Reverse: PIETAS AVG - Sacrificial implements.
24 x 20 mm, 3.6 g.
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Saloninus
was the son of Gallienus and the grandson of Valerian. He was appointed
Caesar at around the age of 16, probably at Valerian's instigation, in
A.D. 258, in the hopes of preserving the family dynasty after the death
of his older brother, Valerian II earlier that year. Alas, the fates
were no kinder to Saloninus than to most of the other members of his
family, and he was murdered 2 years later by Postumus' army.
*Although usually classified as silver, the antoninianus, or double
denarius, was usually made of debased silver, often called billon. The
actual silver content of this coin is probably only around 50%,
possibly even less.
**There is some disagreement about the mint location of this coin.
Roman Imperial Coinage (RIC), vol. V, part II, first published in 1933,
is the standard reference for ancient Roman coins and claims that this
coin was minted in Lugdunum (modern day Lyon, in France). Recent
scholarship, however, raises the possibility that it may have been
minted in Cologne.
Thanks for looking!