#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.
SOLD

Saloninus

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!

Return