Catalog
| Issuer | Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Year | 276 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | Antoninianus (1) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 3.7 g |
| Diameter | 21.5 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | RIC V.1#12, OCRE#ric.5.fl.12 |
| Obverse description | Bust of Florian, radiate, draped, right or bust of Florian, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering |
IMP C M AN FLORIANVS AVG (Translation: Imperator Caesar Florianus Pius Felix Augustus. Supreme commander (Imperator), Caesar Florianus, the pious, the fortunate, emperor (Augustus).) |
| Reverse description | Felicitas, draped, standing right, holding caduceus in right hand and cornucopiae in left hand. |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering |
TEMPORVM FELICITAS -/-//I (Translation: Temporum Felicitas. Fortunate times.) |
| Edge | |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
ND (276) - `I` in exergue; - |
| Numisquare ID | 1008115510 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: This Antoninianus, struck in 276 AD, hails from the tumultuous reign of Florianus, half-brother and successor to Emperor Tacitus. His brief tenure, lasting only a few months, epitomizes the instability of the Crisis of the Third Century. Florianus struggled to consolidate power amidst military discontent and the rise of his rival Probus, ultimately meeting his demise at the hands of his own troops. The reverse legend, "TEMPORVM FELICITAS" (The Felicity of the Times), stands as a poignant, perhaps ironic, declaration of prosperity and good fortune in an era defined by rapid imperial succession, civil strife, and constant external threats.
Artistry: The coin’s artistry reflects the stylistic conventions of late Roman imperial coinage, moving away from classical naturalism towards a more schematic and often militaristic representation. While no specific engraver is attributed, the mint workshops of the period generally produced portraits that, though somewhat generalized, still conveyed a recognizable likeness of the emperor. The obverse would typically feature Florianus’s radiate bust, a standard for the antoninianus. The reverse design, indicated by the legend "TEMPORVM FELICITAS" and referenced by RIC V.1#12, typically depicts Felicitas standing left, holding a caduceus and a cornucopiae, personifying good fortune and abundance.
Technical/Grading: Struck in silver with a weight of 3.7 grams and a diameter of 21.5 millimeters, this antoninianus exhibits characteristics typical of its period. High-points for wear and strike quality on the obverse include the emperor’s hair, facial features, and the spikes of the radiate crown. On the reverse, critical details are the head of Felicitas, the intricate elements of the caduceus and cornucopiae, and the drapery folds. Due to the hurried production and declining silver purity common during the Crisis of the Third Century, examples with full, centered strikes, minimal flan irregularities, and strong definition on these high-points are particularly desirable and command premium grades.