Severina Antoninianus, Concordia reverse, 270 - 275AD ancient double denarius coin

This is an Antoninianus coin from the empress Severina, the wife of Roman emperor Aurelian from 270 - 275AD.

Obv: SEVERINA AVG, diademed, draped bust right on crescent.
Rev: CONCORDIAE MILITVM, Concordia standing left with two standards, S in lower left field, XXI in exergue
RIC 20

Please look closely at the photos for the condition and get in touch if you have any questions, I am always happy to help.

Size: 22mm
Weight: 3.32g

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. Some of this silvering on the surface still survives to this day.

Protect and display your coins in style! Coin capsules with stands are also available in my shop and can be conveniently shipped along with any coin purchase.

If you like these then please check out my other listings, I have a large selection of great coins to choose from.

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