Salonina Roman Silver Antoninianus (NGC Certified Slab)

Own a certified Roman Silver Antoninianus of Salonina (circa AD 253–268), authenticated and slabbed by NGC. This historic coin represents the tragic fate of an empress caught in the violent power struggles of the Crisis of the Third Century.

Salonina was the wife of Emperor Gallienus and the daughter-in-law of Valerian I. Like many imperial women of her time, her destiny was tightly bound to the fortunes — and misfortunes — of her family. After Valerian’s catastrophic capture by the Persians, political instability gripped the empire. The army on the Rhine revolted, leading to the death of her young son Saloninus, one of Gallienus’ heirs.

Earlier, another of her sons, Valerian II, had also died under suspicious circumstances while serving as Caesar in Illyria around 258 CE. These losses devastated Salonina’s family line and weakened Gallienus’ claim to power. Following Gallienus’ assassination in 268 CE, Salonina too was executed, likely on the orders of the Senate as they sought to clear the path for a new ruler during the empire’s ongoing civil chaos.

Silver Antoninianii of Salonina typically feature her dignified, diademed portrait on the obverse, and reverses celebrating traditional virtues such as Pietas (piety) or Concordia (harmony) — reflecting the idealized image of the imperial woman even amid crisis.

Certified by NGC, this Silver Antoninianus offers collectors a poignant piece of history from one of Rome’s most tragic and unstable periods — a must-have for those fascinated by imperial women and the fragility of power.