Gallienus Billon Antoninianus 255 - 256 A.D Samosata or Antioch Mint IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS P F AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind VIRTVS AVGG Emperors standing confronted; Valerian on left, scepter in right, globe in left; Gallienus on right, offering Victory, transverse spear in left; pellet in wreath above 21.7mm 3.118g Die axis 0* Göbl MIR 1703m (Samosata), RIC V 456 (Antioch) VF, flan cracks RIC assigns this issue to Antioch but MIR gives the issue to a second Eastern mint located at Samosata. Samosata was an ancient city on the west bank of the Euphrates whose ruins existed at the modern city of Samsat, Adiyaman Province, Turkey until the site was flooded by the newly-constructed Atatürk Dam. I can find only 7 rulers or usurpers who issued coins from Samosata, most of which are of a small number of uncommon types. From ERIC
Nice coin. I dont see Samosata often myself. My only example of him. Gallienus (253 - 268 A.D.) AR Antoninianus O: IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS AVG, Radiate and cuirassed bust right. R: IOVI CONSERVA, Jupiter standing left, head turned right, holding scepter in right and thunderbolt in left. 5.1g 24mm RIC 143F (Rome) Sear 10237
That's a nice coin WC. I own only one coin from Samosata and it happens to be a SALONINUS Antoninianus OBV: SALON VALERIANVS NOB CAES Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind REV: SPES PVBLICA, Prince, holding spear and Spes, holding flower standing face to face; wreath above Struck at Samosata, 259-60 AD 2.81g, 22mm RIC V 36 var.
Hey WC, super coin, and the possibility that it was minted in Samosata is definitely unusual. I've got to say it's one of the nicest coins of Gallienus I've seen - so unlike the scrappy bits of slag that came later. Very nice find!
