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Billon Antoninianus (19mm 3.75g) Struck AD 256-257 . Rome
Obv: SALONINA AVG Diad. & draped bust right on crescent
Rev: PIETAS AVG Pietas standing left holding a box of perfumes
RIC V 33, Sear 10645
Uncleaned coin find
Decoding the Front (Obverse)
The front of the coin features the Empress herself, and the clues here show exactly how Romans viewed her.
- The Words: It says SALONINA AVG. AVG is short for Augusta, the official title given to Roman Empresses. It’s the ultimate ancient power-label.
- The Portrait: She is shown draped in elegant fabric and wearing a diadem (a royal headband).
- The Moon Crescent: If you look closely at the bottom of her bust, her shoulders are resting on a crescent moon. In Roman mythology, the Emperor was linked to the Sun God (Sol), and the Empress was linked to the Moon Goddess (Luna). Putting a crescent moon under her portrait was a shortcut to saying she was the shining moon of the empire!
Decoding the Back (Reverse)
The back of the coin isn't just decoration—it is ancient political propaganda!
- The Words: It says PIETAS AVG, which translates to "The Piety of the Empress."
- The Figure: You see a lady standing and looking to the left. This isn't Salonina; it’s Pietas, the Roman goddess of duty, loyalty, and religious devotion.
- The Perfume Box: She is holding a small box, which ancient Romans used to hold incense or sweet-smelling perfumes for religious sacrifices.
Why put this on a coin? The Emperor and Empress wanted everyone to know they were deeply religious, loyal to traditional values, and that the gods were on their side. During the "Crisis of the Third Century"—a wild period of civil wars, plagues, and invasions—reminding people that the royal family was pious was a way to make citizens feel safe.
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