Roman Antoninianus
OriginRome
First Minted215 AD
MaterialSilver/Billon
TypeCoin
About Roman Antoninianus
Introduced by Caracalla, worth two denarii but containing only 1.5 times the silver. Featured the emperor wearing a radiate crown. The antoninianus caused inflation as people hoarded denarii and spent the newer coins. By the 260s, the antoninianus was a tiny copper coin with a thin silver wash. The debasement destroyed confidence in Roman coinage. Diocletians reform of 294 tried to restore trust with new denominations.
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