I've always wanted one of these coins. I just like the feel of the design. So I saw this one and picked it up $5. Not the best looking but I also have a very tight budget There are two types of this coin and I think I guessed the right one. The seller had the mint wrong. Gallienus, Antoninianus, Milan. AD 259. Sole reign. IMP GALLIENVS P AVG, radiate head right PM TR P VII COS, veiled emperor standing left by altar, holding patera and baton. Mintmark MP.
I believe your obverse has IMP GALLIENVS P AVG Like my second coin below. My one of the similar reverse lacks the P. I prefer these with clear MP but many are on short flans. I got this last one because of the shoulder drapery on the portrait but the reverse is a quite flat.
Really not bad for a $5 coin. I've seen them sell for more. Oh, and I don't have one like it to show even though I seem to have a lot of Gallienus coins.
I've wanted one of those reverse types as well. Coins with religious imagery - like implements, altars, temples, sacrifices, etc. all fit that interest.
Very nice for the type and price!!! And Doug's are especially nice... I definitely need to get around to buying a decent Gallienus---but so many are so weakly struck, I just keep putting it off...and the few I have, almost all from uncleaned lots, are barely legible and quite 'poor'. My best example is a bronze from Troas with a portrait that doesn't even suggest Gallienus.
Like it or not, a real collector need at least two coins of Gallienus. The point is to show the deterioration of the antoninianus during his reign. It is a case where the best coin for the show is the worst mint state example we can find. His early coins can be quite acceptable.
