Antoninianus (Coin) Portraying Emperor Gallienus
260-268
Medium
Billon
Dimensions
Diam.: 1.9 cm (3/4 in.)
Classification
coin
Department
Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
142615
Art Historical Context
This small yet mighty Antoninianus coin, struck during the turbulent reign of Emperor Gallienus (r. 253–268 CE), captures the essence of Roman imperial propaganda in miniature. Made of billon—a debased alloy of silver and base metals—the 1.9 cm diameter disc features Gallienus on the obverse, typically adorned with a radiate crown symbolizing solar divinity and divine favor. The reverse likely bears a deity, victory motif, or imperial legend, affirming the emperor's authority amid chaos. Gallienus ruled during the Crisis of the Third Century, a period of relentless barbarian invasions, civil ...
About the Artist
Ancient Roman
The artists attributed to "Ancient Roman" in museum collections represent the anonymous craftsmen who produced the vast output of sculpture, frescoes, mosaics, and reliefs defining Roman visual culture from the Republic (c. 509–27 BCE) to the late Empire (c. 395 CE). Individual identities remain elusive, as Roman makers were typically viewed as skilled tradesmen—often enslaved Greeks or provincial...