Roman Empire, Numerian (283-284 AD), Æ Antoninianus

Numerian, Roman Emperor in the East from AD 283 to 284, was the younger son of Carus and brother of Carinus. His short reign fell during the final years of the Crisis of the Third Century, and he is remembered as a relatively cultured prince whose career ended abruptly and mysteriously while returning from the Persian campaign. His death opened the way for the rise of Diocletian and the beginning of a new phase in Roman imperial history.

On the coinage side, Numerian is chiefly known through imperial antoniniani and related late 3rd-century issues struck at regular Roman mints. His coins typically show his radiate bust with legends such as IMP NVMERIANVS AVG, while reverses often feature standard imperial themes and deities, for example Pietas, reflecting piety, legitimacy and continuity within the dynasty of Carus.