Roman Coin | "Zoo Series" Gallienus Antoninianus

History of the Artifact During the reign of the Roman Emperor Gallienus (ruled 253–268 AD), a fascinating series of coins known as the "Zoo Series" was minted. These coins were produced toward the later years of his reign, around 260–268 AD, during a time when the empire was plagued by military crises, internal rebellion, and external invasions. The series is remarkable because it features a variety of animals, many of them exotic, and each coin typically honors a particular Roman legion by depicting an animal associated with that legion. The reverse of each coin usually bears the legend naming the legion and shows the corresponding animal, such as a lion, stag, antelope, or griffin. The Zoo Series is closely tied to Gallienus' attempts to bolster the loyalty of his military forces during a time of extreme instability. By associating each legion with a symbolic animal, Gallienus reinforced the identity and prestige of these units. The coins were minted mainly in Rome, and many of them