Skip to content
Orbis Collectibles

RIC V Postumus 328

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

RIC V Postumus 328. Denomination: Antoninianus. Authority: Postumus. Mint: Cologne. The obverse shows bust of Postumus, radiate, draped, right, or bust of Postumus, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right, with the legend IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG.

The reverse shows salus, draped, standing right, feeding snake held in arms, with the legend SALVS POSTVMI AVG.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
2
Catalogue references
1

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

Marcus Cassianius Latinius Postumus, a Roman commander of Batavian origin, ruled the breakaway Gallic Empire from around 260 until his murder by his own troops roughly ten years later. After the Roman army in Gaul rejected the authority of Emperor Gallienus, Postumus assumed imperial title and power across the provinces of Gaul, Germania, Britannia, and Hispania.

Struck at the mint of Cologne, this silver antoninianus belonged to a denomination originally introduced by Caracalla in early 215 AD as a double denomination valued at two denarii. Amid declining bullion supplies, successive soldier emperors and usurpers required vast quantities of coin to pay their troops and secure their loyalty, resulting in progressive debasement. The coin bears the obverse imperial title "IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG" paired with a radiate bust, while the reverse depicts Salus feeding a serpent, accompanied by the inscription "SALVS POSTVMI AVG".

Physical characteristics

Material
Silver
Denomination
Antoninianus

Technical characteristics

Mint
Cologne
Authority
Postumus

Design

Obverse
Bust of Postumus, radiate, draped, right, or bust of Postumus, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right
Reverse
Salus, draped, standing right, feeding snake held in arms
Obverse legend
IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG
Reverse legend
SALVS POSTVMI AVG

Identification

Type reference
RIC V Postumus 328
Denomination and metal
Antoninianus, Silver
Obverse legend to match
IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG
Reverse legend to match
SALVS POSTVMI AVG
Source note
Type description from the American Numismatic Society's Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE); individual specimens differ in die, flan size, weight and wear, and legend breaks may vary.

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Recorded
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Research required
Mint or printer
Recorded
Mint or printer mark
Research required
Catalogue reference
Recorded
Attached photograph (check rights)
Recorded

Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.

Catalogue references

Research required

  • Editorial verification required.
  • Weight, diameter and mint marks require specimen-level evidence.
  • Museum specimen photographs are linked by the source; local photographs and reuse rights remain unverified.
Can you source one of these? Submit a reference