Provincial bronze issue of Gallienus, struck at Alexandria Troas in the Troad, belongs to the civic coinage of Asia Minor, where a notable degree of iconographic independence is observed, combining Roman imperial titulature with distinctly local motifs.
The obverse presents a laureate and draped bust of the emperor facing right, with the legend IMP LICIN GALLIEN, a shortened form of his name and titulature as imperator.
The reverse depicts a grazing horse facing right, with TRO in the exergue and the legend COL AVG. This motif belongs to the established local iconographic repertoire of Alexandria Troas and is well attested in the coinage of the city. The horse, shown in a calm and naturalistic pose, is interpreted within the context of regional traditions and the historical association of the area with horse breeding and communication routes.
The legend COL AVG refers to the city’s status as a Roman colony (colonia Augusta), underscoring its privileged administrative and legal position within the imperial system. Alexandria Troas, founded in the Hellenistic period and developed under Roman rule, functioned as an important port and commercial center in northwestern Asia Minor.
Provincial Rome
Troas, Alexandria, Gallienus (253-268), AE
Obverse: laureate, draped bust right
IMP LICIN GALLIEN
Reverse: horse grazing right, TRO in exergue
COL AVG
Diameter 21 mm, weight 4.60 g
