Roman Silver Coin of Prince Saloninus (about 1,770 years ago)
This silver antoninianus features the young Caesar Saloninus, son of Emperor Gallienus and grandson of Emperor Valerian, who briefly governed Gaul during the tumultuous Crisis of the Third Century. Minted during an era when the Roman Empire nearly collapsed under the combined pressures of civil wars, barbarian invasions, and economic chaos, this coin represents the brief career of a prince who never lived to succeed his father as emperor.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of the young Saloninus facing right, typically wearing a radiate crown (a crown with rays resembling sun rays) and shown with youthful features, with Latin inscription stating his name and titles
Back side: Likely depicts a Roman deity, personification of a virtue, or military symbol, accompanied by appropriate Latin text
Technical Details:
Silver composition (though antoniniani of this period contained minimal silver, often with silver wash over base metal)
Denomination: Antoninianus
NGC certified
Minted around 258-260 AD
Condition as certified by NGC
Historical Significance: Saloninus' brief life unfolded during the chaotic "Crisis of the Third Century" when the Roman Empire faced unprecedented threats to its existence. As son of Emperor Gallienus and grandson of Emperor Valerian, he represented the dynasty's hopes for stability during turbulent times. Appointed as Caesar (junior emperor) and sent to govern the Gallic provinces from Cologne (modern Germany), the teenage prince found himself caught in a power struggle when the usurper Postumus revolted in 260 AD. After Postumus' forces captured Cologne, Saloninus was executed, becoming another casualty of the empire's ongoing civil conflicts. His death contributed to the formation of the breakaway Gallic Empire under Postumus, which would remain separate from Rome for over a decade, illustrating how dynastic failures accelerated imperial fragmentation during this critical period.
This silver antoninianus features the young Caesar Saloninus, son of Emperor Gallienus and grandson of Emperor Valerian, who briefly governed Gaul during the tumultuous Crisis of the Third Century. Minted during an era when the Roman Empire nearly collapsed under the combined pressures of civil wars, barbarian invasions, and economic chaos, this coin represents the brief career of a prince who never lived to succeed his father as emperor.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of the young Saloninus facing right, typically wearing a radiate crown (a crown with rays resembling sun rays) and shown with youthful features, with Latin inscription stating his name and titles
Back side: Likely depicts a Roman deity, personification of a virtue, or military symbol, accompanied by appropriate Latin text
Technical Details:
Silver composition (though antoniniani of this period contained minimal silver, often with silver wash over base metal)
Denomination: Antoninianus
NGC certified
Minted around 258-260 AD
Condition as certified by NGC
Historical Significance: Saloninus' brief life unfolded during the chaotic "Crisis of the Third Century" when the Roman Empire faced unprecedented threats to its existence. As son of Emperor Gallienus and grandson of Emperor Valerian, he represented the dynasty's hopes for stability during turbulent times. Appointed as Caesar (junior emperor) and sent to govern the Gallic provinces from Cologne (modern Germany), the teenage prince found himself caught in a power struggle when the usurper Postumus revolted in 260 AD. After Postumus' forces captured Cologne, Saloninus was executed, becoming another casualty of the empire's ongoing civil conflicts. His death contributed to the formation of the breakaway Gallic Empire under Postumus, which would remain separate from Rome for over a decade, illustrating how dynastic failures accelerated imperial fragmentation during this critical period.
This silver antoninianus features the young Caesar Saloninus, son of Emperor Gallienus and grandson of Emperor Valerian, who briefly governed Gaul during the tumultuous Crisis of the Third Century. Minted during an era when the Roman Empire nearly collapsed under the combined pressures of civil wars, barbarian invasions, and economic chaos, this coin represents the brief career of a prince who never lived to succeed his father as emperor.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of the young Saloninus facing right, typically wearing a radiate crown (a crown with rays resembling sun rays) and shown with youthful features, with Latin inscription stating his name and titles
Back side: Likely depicts a Roman deity, personification of a virtue, or military symbol, accompanied by appropriate Latin text
Technical Details:
Silver composition (though antoniniani of this period contained minimal silver, often with silver wash over base metal)
Denomination: Antoninianus
NGC certified
Minted around 258-260 AD
Condition as certified by NGC
Historical Significance: Saloninus' brief life unfolded during the chaotic "Crisis of the Third Century" when the Roman Empire faced unprecedented threats to its existence. As son of Emperor Gallienus and grandson of Emperor Valerian, he represented the dynasty's hopes for stability during turbulent times. Appointed as Caesar (junior emperor) and sent to govern the Gallic provinces from Cologne (modern Germany), the teenage prince found himself caught in a power struggle when the usurper Postumus revolted in 260 AD. After Postumus' forces captured Cologne, Saloninus was executed, becoming another casualty of the empire's ongoing civil conflicts. His death contributed to the formation of the breakaway Gallic Empire under Postumus, which would remain separate from Rome for over a decade, illustrating how dynastic failures accelerated imperial fragmentation during this critical period.
