Antoninian of Claudius II Gothicus (AD 268–270), struck at the mint of Antioch in AD 269–270, belongs to issues from the final phase of his reign, when the emperor was engaged in intensive military campaigns against the Goths and other barbarian groups.
The obverse presents a radiate and draped bust facing right, with the legend IMP C CLAVDIVS AVG, giving his name and title as augustus. The radiate crown denotes the antoninianus denomination, the principal silver coin of the period.
The reverse depicts Minerva standing right, holding a spear and shield, with the legend VIRTVS AVG. Minerva, as a deity associated with warfare and strategic wisdom, functions here as a symbol of strength and protection of the state. Her presence in the coinage of Claudius II is directly connected with his military successes, particularly his victories over the Goths, which earned him the epithet “Gothicus.”
The legend VIRTVS AVG refers to the virtue of courage (virtus), one of the central concepts of Roman imperial ideology, closely tied to the emperor’s military role. This type is well attested within the coinage of the later 3rd century and emphasizes the image of the ruler as an effective commander and defender of the empire.
The specimen preserves a notable amount of original silvering, a feature frequently observed in antoniniani of this period, reflecting the surface enrichment techniques used to enhance the appearance of increasingly debased coinage.
Roman Imperial
Claudius II Gothicus (268–270), Antoninianus 269-270, Antioch mint
Obverse: radiate, draped bust right
IMP C CLAVDIVS AVG
Reverse: Minerva standing straight ahead with head right, holding spear and shield, S in exergue
VIRTVS AVG
Diameter 20 mm, weight 3.61 g
