Yet another Gallienus zoo series coin...but a lefty this time !

Hi CT friends,

I have not been adding a lot of coins this year, but the last Jacquier auction had quite a bunch of Gallienus zoo series coins, with some rarities, and I thought I should get some. The gods of numismatics weren't on my side (or I was too shy at bidding) and I was only able to snap one of them. I have to say some prices were waaaaay over what I would have imagined they'd fetch.

Anyway, even though we've had a recent thread about them with some gems (don't forget the series is quite difficult if you target examples of good stike and preservation), we're can't never have too many of them.

The following example is among the rare types in the series, with a radiate and draped left bust, rated R3 in Wolkow's guidebook. Sure it's known better days but guess what : a pristine example wouldn't be in my trays !!



Rome, AD 267-268.
GALLIENVS AVG. Radiate and draped bust left
LIBERO•P•CONS AVG/B. Panther advancing left
2,23 g.
Ref : Wolkow, CMR Gallien # 19g+2 (R3); C 588; RIC 230; Cunetio –; MIR 713o.

Feel free to show anything you like, relevant or not (left facing sausages are welcome too )

Q

 

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Nice pickup! Here's one of mine I bought earlier this year and just got around to photographing — a common type, but I thought this was a bit better than average:



Gallienus. Billon antoninianus, Rome, 267–8 CE; 22mm, 3.87g, 6h. MIR 736b, RIC V S163 var (mintmark not retrograde)., RSC IV 72. Obv: GALLIENVS AVG; radiate head r. Rx: [APOL]LINI CONS AVG; centaur advancing to r., drawing bow; Z (retrograde) in exergue.

 

I recently got this one from the Mildenhall Hoard of 1833



Gallienus
A.D. 267-268
Ӕ Antoninianus
19x22mm 3.2g
GALLIENVS AVG; radiate head right.
DIANAE CONS AVG; Antelope walking right.
In ex. XI[?]
RIC V Rome 181

ex Mildenhall Hoard of 1833

 

Nice lefty Loo!
My panther faces left but not Gally:


And a couple other mythical favs from my zoo:

 

Great coin! You can never have too many of these. Here’s my favorite but more common kitty cat. The Tigress is amazing, I just wish it was better centered and had full legends. Then again, if it was perfect… someone else would have likely outbid me.

 

Very unusual to have a left-facing Gallienus in the zoo series: all eight of mine face right, and the list I made, posted in the other recent thread, doesn't even take that aspect into account. On the other hand, four of my eight reverses face left: centaur, gryphon, antelope, and tigress. Plus the doe walks right, but has her head turned back left! With apologies for the shameless repetition:











(It was difficult to see at first, but after a while I realized that the doe's snout [muzzle?] points up to the left, and her ears point back to the right.)

 

That's a beautiful centaur, thanks for sharing. I wish mine were as nice



Q

 

A hoard provenance is always something we collectors dream about, don't we ?

Q

 

The color and patina on that one might indicate the same provenance as my example : weird !

Q

 

You're right @DonnaML left facing busts are very rare in the series. Despite this specimen being worn, I'm very glad I could grab it.
It's always a pleasure to see your wonderful examples, thanks for showing them again

Some of the good ones I have











Q

 

Very cool left facing bust, Q! Mine is a regular rightie, but it's one sweet-looking Saturnalia gift.

GALLIENUS
AE Antoninianus. 3.1g, 21.5mm. Rome mint, AD 267-268. RIC V 230; Göbl 713b; Wolkow, CMR Gallien, 19a2. O: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right. R: LIBERO P CONS AVG, panther standing left; B (officina) in exergue.
Ex CoinTalk Secret Saturnalia 2017

 

OOOh !
I like that one very much, thanks for sharing Z !

Q

 

And maybe it's time I update the selection of books on my bedside table too. The Wolkow book that also you gave me that year is still there!

 

Slow reading !!
Maybe you need french lessons !

Q