Genuine Roman Antoninianus of Probus, ancient double denarius coin

This is a lovely Antoninianus coin from the emperor Probus and minted from 276 to 282AD. The denomination of an Antoninianus had the value of 2 denarii and features the emperor wearing a radiate crown, indicating it was a double denomination. On the reverse it features the Felicitas.

Even at its introduction, the silver content of the antoninianus was only equal to 1.5 denarii. This created inflation, while both buyers and sellers recognized the new coin had a lower intrinsic value and elevated their prices to compensate. Silver bullion supplies began running short because the Roman Empire was no longer conquering new territory, and a series of soldier emperors and usurpers needed coin to pay their troops and buy their loyalty. Each new issue of the antoninianus thus had less silver in it than the last, and thus contributed to ever-increasing inflation.
In 271 AD, Aurelian increased the average weight of the antoninianus an the 'XXI' was first marked on the reverse of the antoninianus which is thought to represent a 20:1 silver ratio (5%).

To give them a nice silver look the coin blanks were fist washed in an acid solution to leech out copper from the surface leaving a thin layer of silver on the surface so when the coin was struck it gave the appearance of a nice silver coin. Not much of this silvering on the surface still survives to this day.

It is in incredible condition for being over 1700 years old with such crisp details and some original silvering and would be a fantastic addition to a numismatic collection.

Size: 21mm
Weight: 4.05g

Please look closely at the photos for the condition of the coin.