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.
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
Off. 2 - ABVNDANTIA AVG
Off. 3 - AETERNITAS AVG
Off. 4 - FECVNDITAS AVG (Salonina)
Off. 5 - VBERITAS AVG
(not represented in my collection)
Off. 6 - FORTVNA REDVX
MIR 664t
Off. 7 - VICTORIA AET
Off. 7 - ORIENS AVG
Off. 8 - SECVRIT PERPET
Off. - 9 FIDES MILITVM
