MIR 1184m

Roman Empire, Gallienus (253-268), Antoninianus, Mediolanum mint, 5th emission, 1st officina.

Obverse: IMP GALLIENVS AVG COS VI, radiate bust left, wearing trabea, holding scipio in right hand;

Reverse: P M TR P VI COS, Roma seated left, holding Victory on globe in right hand and sceptre in left hand, P in exergue;

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, such as this one. Interestingly and very unusually, the VI in the reverse legend refers actually to the COS following it, rather than the TR P preceding it, as is otherwise usual; this is a feature exclusive to the Mediolanum mint and is found on their other dated types as well.

Reference : RIC V - (c.f. RIC V 453 - unlisted obverse legend and officina mark); MIR 1184m; Toffanin 211/5;

Collection : Gallienus - Mediolanum