Amisus had enjoyed the status of a free city — retaining the right to strike its own civic bronze — since Pompey reorganized the eastern provinces in 63 BC, and the city jealously maintained that privilege across three centuries of imperial rule. The date inscription ΕΤ ϹΠΔ corresponds to year 284 of the Pontic era, confirming this piece was struck in 253 AD, the same year Aemilian seized the purple from Trebonianus Gallus, held Rome for roughly three months, and was killed by his own troops before autumn.
Amisus had enjoyed the status of a free city — retaining the right to strike its own civic bronze — since Pompey reorganized the eastern provinces in 63 BC, and the city jealously maintained that privilege across three centuries of imperial rule. The date inscription ΕΤ ϹΠΔ corresponds to year 284 of the Pontic era, confirming this piece was struck in 253 AD, the same year Aemilian seized the purple from Trebonianus Gallus, held Rome for roughly three months, and was killed by his own troops before autumn.