Coins depicting a doe on the reverse are some of the most common of all issued by Gallienus and the two coins I illustrate are easily obtained. They are part of the "zoo series" issued late in his reign. The coins of this series honor nine Roman deities, asking for their protection. The reverse inscriptions translate as "To (the named deity) Preserver of the Augustus." Each deity was associated with various animal and mythological creatures. The doe was associated with Diana and Juno. Each of the twelve officinae at the mint were assigned different animals and their associated deities. The officina marks are located in the exergue of the reverses; Greek numerals were used for the first nine officinae, whereas Roman numerals X - XII were used for the remaining three. Coins of Gallienus depicting the doe honor Diana and bear the reverse inscription DIANAE CONS AVG and were struck by officina 5 (Є) of the mint of Rome. Coins of Salonina depicting the doe honor Juno and bear the reverse inscription IVNONI CONS AVG and were struck by officina 4 (Δ) of the mint of Rome. The zoo series is rich in variety. The obverse inscriptions of Gallienus may read GALLIENVS AVG or IMP GALLIENVS AVG; those of Salonina may read SALONINA AVG or COR SALONINA AVG. The emperor's portrait may appear as a radiate head or as a radiate and draped or cuirassed (or both) bust, facing either left or right. The various animals may appear in a variety of poses. The doe, for example, may appear walking from left to right or right to left and its head may look backward or straight ahead. You may read more about Gallienus's zoo series at Jim Phelps' English-language site and also at Cédric Wolkow and Frédéric Weber's French-language site. I highly recommend them as an introduction to the series. Post your DIANAE CONS AVG coins of Gallienus or IVNONI CONS AVG issues of Salonina or whatever you feel is relevant! Gallienus, AD 253-268. Roman billon antoninianus, 4.63 g, 21.4 mm, 7 h. Rome, officina 5, AD 267-268. Obv: IMP GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right. Rev: DIANAE CONS AVG, doe standing right, head turned left over shoulder. Є in exergue. Refs: RIC 176K; Göbl 728z; Cohen 155; RCV 10199; La Venera 87e. Cornelia Salonina, AD 253-268 Roman AE antoninianus, 2.84 g, 22.8 mm Rome mint, officina 4, AD 267-268 Obv: COR SALONINA AVG, diademed and draped bust right on crescent Rev: IVNONI CONS AVG, doe* walking left; Δ in exergue Refs: RIC 16; Göbl 725x; Cohen 70; RCV 10643; Hunter 21; Cunetio 1418. *This particular coin depict a very doe-like animal, but with a goatee. Many other examples of this coin depict a more goat-like animal and a few even depict what appears to be a bearded elk.
A buck 12 pointer! My only deer coin. All the 1818 Stolberg AV Dukaten have striking weakness on reverse
Mrs G’s SINISTER deer... RI Salonina wife of Gallienus 254-268 CE AE Ant 3.61g 20mm Rome mint 267-268 CE crescent Deer Walking delta RIC V 16
Nice post @Roman Collector , while I have nothing to add to the zoo, I will share the "inevitable" so that @Carausius is not disappointed: L. Hostilius Saserna with disheveled portrait and fierce Artemis 49 BC. Obv: A Gallic woman, with carnyx warrior's trumpet behind Rev: Artemis facing front, holding a leaping deer by the antlers and, with the other hand, a spear. Size: 3.8g 17.3-19.3mm
Here's another example of the Salonina coin, but the animal looks much less like a doe and more like a goat. Cornelia Salonina, AD 253-268 Roman AE antoninianus, 4.11 g, 21.0 mm, 6 h. Rome mint, officina 4, AD 267-268 Obv: COR SALONINA AVG, diademed and draped bust right on crescent Rev: IVNONI CONS AVG, goat? walking left; Δ in exergue Refs: RIC 16; Göbl 725cc; Cohen 70; RCV 10643; Hunter 21; La Venera 423; Cunetio 1418.
