---
title: Roman Imperial Coinage
author: Daniela Castanotto
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10115/roman-imperial-coinage/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Roman Imperial Coinage
_Authored by [Daniela Castanotto](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/dcastanotto/)_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/10115.jpg)
## Image Caption
**1.** *Denarius* of Emperor Nero (reigned 54-68 CE) of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. The silver content of the coin (fineness) is >.92. [Nero](https://www.worldhistory.org/Nero/)’s jowly face, gazing to the right, is recognizable, but barely. This [coin](https://www.worldhistory.org/coinage/) was clipped around the edges in antiquity because the value of its [silver](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silver/) exceeded the value of the coin. **2.** *Denarius* of Emperor [Domitian](https://www.worldhistory.org/domitian/) (reigned 81-96 CE) of the Flavian dynasty. The fineness of this coin is approximately .90. A layer of fine oxidation (black) can be seen on its surface. **3.** *Denarius* of [Commodus](https://www.worldhistory.org/commodus/) (reigned solo 180-192 CE), as [Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/caesar/) to his father, Emperor [Marcus Aurelius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Marcus_Aurelius/) (reigned 161-180). This coin dates from the years 177-180 CE, and has a fineness of about .8. The remarkable skill of the ancient engraver is immediately noticeable. **4.** *Antoninianus* of [Caracalla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Caracalla/) (reigned 211-217 CE). Note the radiate crown. The value of this coin was officially two *denarii*, but only contained only 1.5 times the silver amount. The result was price inflation. **5.** *Antoninianus* of [Gallienus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gallienus/) (reigned solo 260-268 CE). This specimen contains no more than about 20% silver. If the surface oxidation is removed, the coin is dull gray in color due to the admixture of base metals and [copper](https://www.worldhistory.org/copper/). **6.** *Antoninianus* of Salonina, wife of Gallienus (murdered 268 CE). The shoulders of the Empress rests on a half-moon, which designates this coin as an *antoninianus*. However, this coin contains no more than a few percent silver at most. **7.** *Centenionalis* of Julian II (reigned 361-363 CE). [Bronze](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/bronze/) coins of this type were common currency, but had little intrinsic value. Millions of them were minted; the green color of this coin is due to the oxidized copper present in bronze. By this time, the old *denarii* and *antoniniani* had long since disappeared. **8.** *Nummus* (i.e., coin) of Valentinian III (reigned 425-455 CE). The face of the Emperor, in profile, can be seen on the left-hand side, facing right. This bronze coin is crudely engraved and has an actual diameter of only 8 mm. However, Valentinian III continued to mint in [gold](https://www.worldhistory.org/gold/), as did all his successors down to [Romulus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Romulus_and_Remus/) Augustulus in 476 CE. (All coins are from the personal collection of Cy A. Stein)
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Cite This Work
### APA
Castanotto, D. (2019, February 18). Roman Imperial Coinage. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Castanotto, Daniela. "Roman Imperial Coinage." *World History Encyclopedia*, February 18, 2019. .
### MLA
Castanotto, Daniela. "Roman Imperial Coinage." *World History Encyclopedia*, 18 Feb 2019, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Daniela Castanotto](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/dcastanotto/ "User Page: Daniela Castanotto"), published on 18 February 2019. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.