Antoninianus
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The antoninianus or pre-reform radiate 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
Row 1: Elagabalus (silver 218–222 AD), Trajan Decius (silver 249–251 AD), Gallienus (billon 253–268 AD Asian mint); Row 2: Gallienus (copper 253–268 AD), Aurelian (silvered 270–275 AD), barbarous radiate (copper), barbarous radiate (copper)
The rapid decline in silver purity of the antoninianus
Sestertius
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The sestertius or sesterce was an ancient Roman coin. During the Roman Republic it was a small silver coin issued only on rare occasions. During the Roman Empire it was a large brass coin.
Sestertius of Hadrian, dupondius of Antoninus Pius, and as of Marcus Aurelius
Example of a detailed portrait of Hadrian AD 117–138
Hostilian AD 251
A sestertius of Nero, struck at Rome in AD 64. The reverse shows the emperor on horseback with a companion. The legend reads DECVRSIO, "a military exercise". Diameter 35 mm