Numerian Roman Billon Antoninianus (AD 283-284) NGC

Own a certified Roman Billon Antoninianus of Numerian (AD 283–284), authenticated and slabbed by NGC. This coin connects to one of the most turbulent and mysterious successions during the Crisis of the Third Century.

Numerian was the younger son of Emperor Carus, a general who had risen to the throne amid the empire's ongoing instability. Initially appointed Caesar in 282 AD, Numerian was elevated to the rank of co-emperor the following year, ruling alongside his father and elder brother Carinus.

While campaigning with his father in the East against the Sassanid Persians, Carus died under suspicious circumstances — reportedly struck by lightning, though political intrigue was likely involved. After Carus' death, Numerian was proclaimed emperor by the army. However, during the return journey west, he disappeared from public view. His death was discovered only after the smell of his decaying body was noticed in his sealed litter.

The powerful general Diocletian, then commander of the imperial bodyguard, blamed the praetorian prefect for Numerian’s death and promptly seized power himself — beginning one of the most consequential reigns in Roman history.

Billon Antoniniani of Numerian typically feature his radiate-crowned bust on the obverse, while reverses celebrate military victories, Roman virtues, or divine favor — key themes for a young emperor with a brief and tragic rule.

Certified by NGC, this Billon Antoninianus offers collectors a rare link to the closing days of Rome’s Third Century Crisis and the dawn of the Diocletianic era.