The
Antoninianus was a
coin used during the
Roman Empire thought to have been valued at 2
denarii. It was initially silver, but was slowly
debased to
bronze with a minimal silver content. The coin was introduced by
Caracalla in early 215, and was a silver coin similar to the denarius except that it was slightly larger and featured the emperor wearing a
radiate crown, indicating that it was a double denomination. Antoniniani depicting females (usually the
emperor's wife), featured the bust resting upon a crescent moon.