MIR 1225m

Roman Empire, Gallienus (253-268), Antoninianus, Mediolanum mint, 5th emission, 2nd officina.

Obverse: GALLIENVS P F AVG, radiate bust left, wearing trabea, holding scipio in right hand;

Reverse: PA-X AVG, Pax running left, holding olive branch in right hand and transverse sceptre in left hand, S in left field;

Notes: The consular bust had been introduced by Severus Alexander and had been used by many of his successors as well, but it had always been reserved for medallions, and it was only under Gallienus that it started being used on antoniniani intended for common circulation - and, even then, the consular busts of Gallienus, Claudius II, Aurelian and Tacitus are all very rare: it was only under Probus that they started being struck in large amounts. Mediolanum was, alongside Rome, the only mint to use it for Gallienus, and it was only employed for the emissions of the fifth and sixth consulates - we can be certain of the dating of these issues thanks to some rare obverse legends that specify it. This particular coin features the very rare short legend GALLIENVS P F AVG, and appears to be the second known example where it is paired with this reverse.

Reference : RIC V - (c.f. RIC V 501 - unlisted obverse legend and bust type); MIR 1225m; Toffanin 207/7;

Collection : Gallienus - Mediolanum