MIR 1638a

Roman Empire, Gallienus (253-268), Antoninianus, Antioch mint, 13th emission, ? officina.

Obverse: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind;

Reverse: P M TR P XV P P, Neptune standing left, right foot set on prow, holding trident in left hand and resting right hand on thigh, VIIC• in exergue; 

Notes: Neptune makes three appearances on Eastern antoniniani in the latter half of the Third Century: at Antioch for Gallienus (as a dated type) and Claudius II, and at Cyzicus for Aurelian (also as a dated type). The reasoning behind its use is hard to figure out, but it continues the trend of showing more obscure deities on dated coins.

Reference : RIC V 603; MIR 1638a;

Collection : Gallienus - Antioch