26 



Roman mint, and when Aurelian endeavoured to reform them, the 

 consequence was an insurrection of the monetarii, to put down which 

 cost the Emperor 7,000 of his soldiers. 



The coins of this period attest the increase of the solar worship, 

 caused by the growing influence of Asiatic, and especially Syrian, 

 rites and usages at Rome. It is seen in the legend, Oriens Augusti, 

 with the figure of the Sun, and in the radiated crown which all the 

 emperors wear. The crescent moon, placed beneath the head of 

 Salonina and other empresses, is also a proof of the growth of astral 

 worship. 



Although the coins of this hoard are rudely executed, the heads on 

 many of them are sufficiently distinct to be characteristic. We can 

 distinguish the strong bluff features of the hardy warrior Valerian, 

 from the more delicate lineaments of his dilettante son Gallienus. 

 The coarse face and brawny neck of Marius agree with the account 

 that he had been a blacksmith before he became an emperor. 

 Salonina, whose features are not of the Roman cast, is said to have 

 been the daughter of a barbarian. 



The period in which these coins were struck was one of great 

 calamity, exciting the superstitious fears of the people. An extra- 

 ordinary number exhibit figures of the gods, with the legends, 

 Jupiter Conservator, Propugnator and Ultor ; Neptunus Conservator, 

 Apollo Conservator, Diana Conservatrix, Liber Pater Conservator, 

 Mars Pacifer, and Sol Conservator Augusti. Segetia, a goddess who 

 presided over the harvest, and was one of the Dii Indigetes, or native 

 gods of Italy, appears on a coin of Salonina, probably struck in 

 apprehension of famine, or in gratitude for deliverance from it. The 

 coins of Postumus are remarkable for the honour paid to Hercules ; 

 those of Claudius Gothicus, for the variety of types representing the 

 consecratio or apotheosis of this Emperor, who was cut off by a 

 pestilential disease after a reign of two years, and was deeply regretted 

 by the senate and people. 



The coins of the emperors would, of course, be struck at Rome ; 

 those of the Gallic rulers at Aries, Lyons, or Treves. It does not 

 appear that Britain had a mint. The legend PLON., on the coins of 

 Constantino, is generally read Pecunia Londinensis ; but, till the time 

 of the Northumbrian kings, York appears to have had no mint of her 



