Been wanting a nice Gallienus for a long time . They just don't seem to show up very often with a good portrait and reverse with full legends. So I went ahead and bought this one, wondering if I overpaid for it at $112. I seen some really close to this one around the $80 $90 price but just did not call out to me.
That is a really nice looking Gallienus! Well centered. Nice portrait. Nice reverse. Still has silvering. As far as price goes, I have no idea since the most I've ever paid for an ancient was $90 for a Nerva denarius and I about had a heart attack doing it! I think that if you like it, that is what matters most Thanks for sharing!
I agree that it is a very nice coin. I would suggest you not remove it from the slab since a portion of the price covers that service and people who would pay that price for a very nice Gallienus would be more likely to expect/prefer a slab. Most of us prefer raw coins but slabs have opened the hobby to people who previously collected only high grade modern coins and have no problem paying for the encapsulation. The coin is from the Asian mint series with a branch 'mintmark' in exergue. These are often quite well made in all respects. I do not have the one you bought but below is another (PAX FVNDATA) from the series. In 2001, when I bought it from Jonathan Kern, I believed the $15 price was a bargain. I still do. I won't be selling mine so I'll never know. I hope you will continue in the hobby so you can remain uncaring about such matters as how much is too much for the coins that speak to you.
That is a great looking Gallienus @dougsmit . You would be incredibly hard pressed to find something that nice for $15 nowadays. You make me wish I had started this hobby 20 years ago haha.
Very nice example @bcuda I do not think you overpaid at all. The obverse and reverse of the coin is excellent. I paid $50-60 for various antoninianii of Gallienus which do not compare to yours. Perhaps I overpaid? In any case, I plan to get rid of them all because I am not happy with their grade. I would much rather have one solid example such as yours.
Superb and swell worth any premium over the what they normally sell for. As a matter of fact, and I like Gallienus, yours is the nicest I've ever seen. As member Dougmit said above, keep this one in the slab. It is so beautiful a specimen of Gallienus that some may wonder about its provenance at a later date. Any idea of its date of minting? Usually those of his early joint reign with his father, Valerian are the best struck but I see only one G in the VIRTVS AUG so it looks like it is from his sole reign when much of his later coinage is poorly minted. .
Wonderful style and portrait! I don't recall ever paying over$15 or maybe tops $20 for a Gal pal. But for yours I surely would! With mullet and neck beard so thick it could burn down a western honky tonk just walking into the joint. Here's my fav portrait:
I've got a few nicer ones Gallienus A.D. 259- 260 AR Antoninianus 20x21mm 3.7gm IMP GALLIENVS P AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right. SPES PVBLICA; Spes walking left, holding flower and raising robe. RIC V Mediolanum 403; Göbl 827q Viminacium Gallienus A.D. 266- 267 Ӕ Antoninianus 20x21mm 3.1gm GALLIENVS AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right. PROVIDENTIA AVG; Mercury stg. l., holding purse and caduceus. In ex. VIIC RIC V Antioch 653; Göbl 1651g VIIC in the exergue means that this coin was issue during the seventh and last consulate of Gallienus; which began in A.D. 266. Gallienus A.D. 265- 266 Ӕ Antoninianus 21x22mm 3.7gm GALLIENVS AVG; radiate head left. AETERNITAS AVG; She-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus, branch in exergue RIC V Antioch 628 var; Göbl 1628a
Hmm, this is another type I don't have. Something to add to the list, but at least they're accessible. Lovely coins all. And @bcuda , your example is stunning. Don't worry if you paid a premium, it's a premium example.
The general rule of thumb is that an ancient coin is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. Your coin is a spectacular beauty. If you are pleased with it, (I would be) then you did not overpay. That is, assuming that you are planning to keep it in your collection and not just flip it for a profit.
I'm sure I overpaid for this coin 3 years ago, $109.00. If I decide to sell it I'm sure the next owner will overpay for it too .
Thank for your replies @Al Kowsky @Kentucky @furryfrog02 @Ancient Aussie @dougsmit @Roman Collector @Romancollector @kevin McGonigal @Ryro @singig @Alegandron @Victor_Clark @gsimonel I am not a big fan of slabbed coins myself Doug and would have paid that price without the slab, it means nothing to me really. I can not display it along side of my other coins the same, to me it would always be either hidden away or not enjoyed as much if I leave it in the slab. I think I will bust it out and keep the photographic images of it in the slab and the slab label with it @gsimonel I have never looked at purchasing a coin with the thought of making a profit, it is all about the love of the coin and its history for me. I know my post said I hope I did not overpay , I guess what I was saying was I hope I did not spend more than I should have on this because I could use the extra money for some other coin to love also. This does not mean I would not sell a coin but if I do it will be for another reason than making a profit. @Al Kowsky I don't think you over paid for your coin at all, it is a beautiful coin !
Very nice coin bcuda. Here is a Gallienus Virtus. It was shiny when a got it, but has darkened a bit since then. The reverse is slightly out of focus. For some reason my camera often takes the second photo of a coin a bit out of focus.
Great Gallienus @bcuda ! I don't think you overpaid because it is an excellent strike on a full flan that is well-centered. You don't see such coins available very often.
