I agree-- genuine and from Roman Egypt, a tetradrachm. But of whom? The neck beard does look a bit like Gallienus but what I can read of the legend doesn't fit. I think it's his daddy, Valerian I, regnal year 3. I believe this is the attribution: Valerian I tetradrachm; regnal year 3 (CE 255/6) Obverse: AKΠIOVAΛEPIANOCEVEVC; draped and cuirassed bust right Reverse: eagle standing left, head right, wings open, wreath in beak; L - Γ across fields. Reference: Emmett 3707.3; Milne 3914 Edited. I'm wrong. It is Gallienus. Gallienus tetradrachm; regnal year 3 (CE 255/6) Obverse: AKΠΛIOVΓAΛΛIANOCEVEVC; laureate,draped, and cuirassed bust right Reverse: eagle standing left, head right, wings open, wreath in beak; L - Γ across fields. Reference: Emmett 3730.3
DysfunctionalVet => I'm glad to hear that you found an answer ... => here is my Gallienus example, just for portrait comparison/verification ... the beard seems to be a pretty good fit, eh?
I was referring to the green blotches on the OP coin. Your Gallienus isn't sick, green's his natural colour.
Wow... really?! If so, you need to soak that thing in a mild alkaline bath and then a few soaks in distilled water, then dry it completely and store with desiccant. These potin tetradrachm are very prone to accelerated corrosion.
They all turned out to be fakes and I figured this was a fake too. That was about a year ago. Aside from their history is there a demand with it for collectors? I could easily part with it.
These low silver/no silver Tets. tend to be pretty common and low value. You can pick up respectable ones for $20-$30, exceptional ones a bit more and rare ones with "better reverse types" will of course command much more. This coin, maybe $10-$15 due to what looks like bronze disease.
