Is this an authentic Gallienus Roman coin? I Googled a site and there are many, many varieties: http://www.dirtyoldcoins.com/roman/id/Coins-of-Roman-Emperor-Gallienus.htm I can't seem to find the specific design on that site, but maybe I skipped it - not sure. It looks pretty badly worn, but the details are pretty good compared to some of the much younger 18th century coins I've seen... And, if it's authentic, any idea on what it's worth? Is it copper or bronze? Thanks in advance!
Yes, it looks authentic. The coin is an AE (copper-alloy) Antoninianus of Gallienus with Abundantia on the reverse. You can see an example with its description and reference number here: http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2434275 Edit: it's there in the link you posted as well; do a search for "abundantia" and you'll see the entries. As for what it's worth, here's a link that shows 15 examples of the same/similar type currently on sale at Vcoins, which will give you a rough idea of the retail value. Bear in mind that they're all in different grades and that prices at Vcoins tend to be a little on the high-retail side. https://www.vcoins.com/en/Search.aspx?search=true&searchQuery=gallienus antoninianus abundantia&searchQueryExclude=&searchCategory=0&searchCategoryLevel=2&searchCategoryAncient=True&searchCategoryUs=True&searchCategoryWorld=True&searchCategoryMedieval=False&searchBetween=0&searchBetweenAnd=0&searchDate=&searchUseThesaurus=True&searchDisplayCurrency=&searchDisplayAsList=False&searchIdStore=0&searchQueryAnyWords=&searchExactPhrase=&searchTitleAndDescription=True&searchDateType=0&searchMaxRecords=100&SearchOnSale=False&Unassigned=False
Thanks for those links. I'm guessing that the number of varieties and similar design types must be a common theme with ancient coins - something I'll have to get used to. And, it looks to be in the $20 range.
Ipen: Gallienus coins are in abundance (pun intended) and they tend not to be in great shape. Yours looks good enough for a Gallienus.
Gallienus has a series of different animal coins that I find pretty interesting. Many are mundane like a stag and doe then there more exotic ones like centaur and capricorn.
This type is one I like because of a minor detail that shows better on some than others. The reverse figure is not just carrying a cornucopia but has tipped that cornucopia down and is pouring coins out of it. A stream of these coins show in the lower right part of the reverse on well struck specimens. The vCoins prices really illustrate the range of sellers from reasonable @$15 to delusional. $20 retail asking is not far out of line but getting a dealer to pay anything for a low end specimen of this type will be a challenge.
