Roman coin names - again

I want to return to something that at I've posted about before and that is what the Romans actually called their coins. The names we refer to them today are often a modern construct, yet we refer to them as if it is solid fact.

Today I want to consider the FEL TEMP REPARATIO coins instigated in AD 348.

The coin legend type was introduced, probably, in AD 348. It was initially produced in three sizes/denominations, the largest marked A contained c. 2.5% silver. The next size smaller, marked N, had a smaller proportion of silver, c. 1.5%, and the smallest unmarked pieces no detectable silver. It soon ended up as only a single denomination of reducing size and was eventually ceased around AD 359.

Modern collectors often group all the issues under the single heading of "cententionales", but this appears to be misguided given the documentary evidence available.

There is the law, posted on 12th February 349 AD (Codex Theodosius IX.21.6):

"We have learned that some metalworkers [flatuarii] purify the maiorina coins [maiorina pecunia] frequently and criminally, by separating the silver from the bronze. If any persons hereafter should be caught in this operation, let him know that he has committed a capital crime, and also those who own the house or land are to be punished by the delivery of their property to the largitiones [imperial largesses]."

It would thus appear from this edict that the Romans referred to the largest of the Fel Temp Reparatio pieces, that contained at lest a small proportion of silver, as a maiorina. 

Some Gallienus coins from Antioch

One feature of he Moneta Imperii Romani (MIR) volume that covers Gallienus is the tabular catalogue arrangement that allows for bust variants not encountered by Goebl to be accommodated in the arrangement.

An example of that is this Antioch Gallienus. MIR 1655b from emission 13a, Sol.with globe rather than the whip. He noted just 3 examples with the radiate draped bust (MIR 1655a), but none with the radiate cuirassed bust.

I must get around to picking off the hard green deposit on the reverse.

Another coin of Gallienus from Antioch, this time from emission 13a, cf MIR 1641a. It shows a couple of interesting features with the obverse legend. 

First of all there is the common substitution of B for V in IVVENTVS, probably reflecting a dialectic influence. However, the die cutter made a real howler by replacing I with L at the start of the word.

Finally three Genius antoniniani of Gallienus from Antioch.

Top coin, curious, GENIV AVG, not listed in MIR but is noted as a footnote to 1630i with the legend error (emission 12).

Bottom left, GENIVS AVG, branch in exergue, emission 11, MIR 1630a.

Bottom right, GENIO AVG, branch in exergue, emission 11, MIR 1631a.