Æ19 - Pupienus and Balbinus ΗΡΑΚΛΕΩΤΑΝ ΠΟΝΤΩ

Pupienus and Balbinus were co-emperors for just 99 days in 238 AD before both were murdered by the Praetorian Guard — the same year that saw five different men hold the title of emperor. Provincial mints like Heraclea Pontica, operating independently of Rome's central authority, sometimes continued striking coins for joint reigns that had already ended before the dies even cooled. Whether this piece was struck during or after their actual reign cannot be determined with certainty from the type alone.