I'm rather strict a collector of coins - I'm passing on numismatic articles that are not real coins usually. But this is an exception, another beast of the N.M.McQ. Holmes collection that was auctioned in April by CNG. Here's the catalog to leaf through online. It's an irregular lump of bronze, thick, but evenly flat, and it can only be a trial strike. According to the description it is a proof for an unofficial antoninianus of Gallienus. The style is a bit too rough to be acceptable, but what's more, the obverse copies a known type for Gallienus's sole reign (260-268), mint Siscia. But the reverse has AVGG, so this side mimicks a coin from the earlier joint reign of father and son, Valerian and Gallienus (253-260), before the fateful capture of the emperor Valerian by the Persians. AE trial strike for an unofficial antoninianus. GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right / F[E]LCITAS AVGG, Felicitas standing left, holding uncertain attributes. 23 x 38 x 2,7 mm, 14.35 gr.
A really awesome piece. Seems a good bet that it was issued right around the time Valerian was captured, which adds further interest. Here's my only win from the auction, a Gallienus denarius:
