Monday 29 November 2021

The denarii of AD 268

After AD 238 issues of the denarius were sporadic. There were two significant issues around 240 under Gordian III, one of which was associated with his marriage to Tranquilina. The next substantive release was during the penultimate series of coins of Rome mint for Gallienus, c.268. In the current literature this is often referred to as the fifth sole reign issues (for example British Museum hoard reports) or emission 9 (Robert Goebl’s Moneta Imperii Romani 36, 43, 44 volume covering the period). 

The Gallienus issue is substantial, well, compared to previous issues of denarii and is probably connected to the donativa for a significant milestone event during the reign. The placement in the reign is the clue and the issue is likely concurrent with the quindeccenalia, the celebrations of the 15th anniversary of the reign. Another potential occasion is the anticipated return to Rome, after the victory against the Goths at Naissus, given the rare INT VRB sestertii and double sestertii, anonymous but with the face of Gallienus on the obverse, that also date to this period. The return never happened as Gallienus was forced to move against Aureolus, based in Milan and supporting the Gallic usurper Postumus. 

MIR 702h

The reverse types of the laureate bust denarii mirror the reverse types of the radiate antoniniani, although they do not usually feature the officina or workshop letter that is present on the radiate pieces.

The reverse types known are as follows, and it would appear that not all twelve officina are represented in the coins and this may have been the reasoning why some authors postulate that there was a transitional stage in the increase of workshops from six to twelve. So, from my trays:

Off. 1 - MARTI PACIFERO

MIR 657t

Off. 2 - ABVNDANTIA AVG

MIR 659t

Off. 3 - AETERNITAS AVG 

MIR 661t

Off. 4 - FECVNDITAS AVG (Salonina) 

MIR 579ee

Off. 5 - VBERITAS AVG

(not represented in my collection) 

Off. 6 - FORTVNA REDVX

MIR 664t

Off. 7 - VICTORIA AET 

MIR 669t

Off. 7 - ORIENS AVG 

MIR 614dd

MIR 682t

Off. 8 - SECVRIT PERPET 

MIR 524v

MIR 524t

Off. - 9 FIDES MILITVM 

MIR 599bb