Gallienus finds some peace...

Some sweet Gallienus coins already posted.

 

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Hercules

 

@zumbly Great job on the @Brian Bucklan STORE-SCORE! I always win there!!!

I have a few Gallienus, but not from Brian yet...

GALLIENUS:


RI Gallienus 253-268 CE Ant Hercules Obv-Rev.jpg

OOOppps! This one may need some @YOC MAGIC!

RI Gallienus 253-268 CE Ant Milan mint Laetitia Obv-Rev.jpg


RI Gallienus 253-268 CE Ant Abundantia Obv-Rev.jpg

I have his WIFE also:


RI Empress Salonina wife of Gallienus 254-268 CE AE Antoninianus 3-61g 20mm Rome mint 267-268 CE crescent Deer Walking delta RIC 15 O-R.jpg

 

Wow!!! Those are some amazing Gallienus coins!! Definitely better than the average bunch.

Thanks.
Here are a couple more

Gallienus / Hippocamp


Gallienus left / Lion


Gallienus left / Victory

 

I have not found a decent Sestertius of Gallienus yet. So I made an exception from my rule to collect only large bronze coins and got this one. I did not bother about the rarity but went for a fine portrait and intact silver instead




IMP GALLIENUS P F AVG / SPES PVBLICA
Antoninianus, Viminacium, 254/255
22 mm/ 3,40 gr
RIC 404, Göbl 827 q

 

I am quite frankly amazed that there even are sestertii of Gallienus let alone nice ones when you consider the state of his antoniniani. I assume they came from early in the reign when the silver was still silver. I do note that coins in a grade that would be hard to sell for rulers of the century before are hotly contended in good sales. Have you been finding many that are not up to your standards or have you just not been seeing any at all.

 

The other side of the story: We have seen some really nice coins of Gallienus but lets not forget that he is represented in the corpus of Barbarous Radiates. The one below is easily identifiable as being copied from the antelope of his zoo series.

 

Aequitas

 

So this thread got me thinking a bit with all the different portrait designs shown. Are there any stories of emperors being less than pleased with how they were portrayed on coins??

 

Very interesting variety, with some great history behind it!

 

The only one that I know of, Augustus refused to have himself depicted either coins or statues unless he was shown in his prime.

 

Gallienus. 253-268
Roman AE Antoninianus
Uncertain eastern mint (Antioch?), AD 255-256 (Joint reign)
4.04 gm; 23.5 mm

Obv: IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS AVG, Radiate and draped bust, right.
Rev: RESTITVT ORIENTIS. Tyche at l. presenting wreath to emperor, r., who holds spear, r.

RIC 448; RSC 902; Cunetio hoard 1914; Göbl 1685m

 

i picked up both of these form other cointalk members!

@Eng




and @Mat




if you can't keep it in your coin cabinet, keep it in the family.

 

I know I'm not answering your question, but I think it's at least tangentially related. This aureus (?) of Gallienus (needless to say, not mine) has him wearing a wreath of corn ears, the same sort we often see the harvest goddess Demeter wearing on coins. But the real kicker here is the legend, GALLIENAE AVGVSTAE, which is his name in feminine form. Was he pleased that he was portrayed here as, essentially, a bearded lady? In his 100 Greatest Ancient Coins book, Harlan Berk notes two possibilities - this was struck by a usurper who was mocking Gallienus for being effeminate, or, Gallienus actually wanted to portray himself as an incarnation of Demeter. I'm going to bet that either way, he liked it .



Side note: this is the actual coin that features in the Berk book (as #95). It was sold a few months ago in this NAC auction.

 

@zumbly haha that's awesome thanks for sharing my man

 

I just finished an account that theorized Gallienus was not only opening homosexual, but like to often dress as a woman. I wouldn't be surprised if he dressed as Demeter on occasion.

 

Here is my rather crusty Gallienus that I received as a part of an uncleared lot back in 2000:

Imperial Rome
Gallienus, r. 253-268 A.D.
Rome Mint, Billon Antoninianus, 20.67mm x 2.5 grams
Obv.: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right
Rev.: AEQVIT AVG, Aequitas standing left, holding scales & cornucopia

I have a much nicer one thanks to my secret Saturnalia last year (when's that starting this year? We're starting to get close...)

Imperial Rome
Gallienus, r. 253-268 A.D.
Milan Mint, AE Antoninianus, 19.25mm x 2.3 grams
Obv.: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right
Rev.: SECVR TEMPO, Securitas standing left, legs crossed, holding scepter and leaning on column. Mintmark MS (off flan)

 

Then there's the bizarre use of a FECVNDITAS reverse type for a male:

 

Thats a sweet example.

 

What account would that be Bing?