Salonina, imperatrice (256-268 d.C.)

Salonina, Augusta A.D. 256–268 The article presents a group of silver coins from the third century A.D. found in Rimigliano (Leghorn) in 2002. The coins are mostly ‘antoniniani’ in silver from the time of emperor Gallienus (253–268). The coins of the group which are studied in the present article are 43, dating from 256 to 268 and referring to the time of empress Cornelia Salonina, the wife of Gallienus. The obverse of these coins represent most frequently the draped, or draped and diademed, bust of Salonina on the right, tied hair in braid, in her imperial attire with the legend SALONINA AVG, and sometimes the moon crescent in exergue. On the reverse are symbolic female figures representing the purity and chastity, the piety, the civic and political security and the serenity, accompanied by the legends which reflect the imperial power, but not without the references to Roman goddesses: these last subjects are a further reflection of the peace in this period and symbolise its renewal. Two specimens issued in Mediolanum carries the legend AVGVSTA IN PACE, a probable allusion to the Christian faith of the empress, and it has been suggest that they were struck after her death. The others mints which have been identify are those of Lugdunum, Roma and of Asia. For each coin has been written a file, with the analytical description of the subjects represented on the obverse and the reverse, the mint where the coin was issued, the measures of the coin, and the bibliographic references. Cat. 1–43; Tab. 7, 16; Tab. 8, 1–16.