Arrived today Gallienus, Billon antoninianus, Rome. Sole reign. 20mm. GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right / LIBERO P CONS AVG, panther walking left. Mintmark B. RIC 230k, sub-type 2; RSC 586; Sear 10281. In the zoo series the panther or tigress depict the deity Liber Pater, who was an ancient Roman god of wine, male fertility, and freedom, often identified with the Greek god Dionysus. He was a patron deity of Rome's plebeians and part of their Aventine Triad. Liber Pater's name means "the free father," symbolizing both freedom and the male aspect of fertility. Post your zoo series coins
Antoninianus Rome, 267- 268 AD Mintmark Δ (4th officina) 20x22 mm, 3.191 g RIC V Gallienus 166, subtype 1; RSC IV 76; Cohen 71 (1f); Cunetio 1351; Wolkow 4a4, Göbl MIR [Moneta Imperii Romani] Band 36, No. 718b, Sear RCV III 10180; This emission was the last one in the “Zoo of Gallienus” from the workshop in Rome and one of the most important produced in the twelve officinae. For this reverse, a griffin, one of the rarest in the “Zoo of Gallienus”, one can only find the officinae Δ, Z and H. The 4th officina used the griffin, the 7th and 8th officinae used a different reverse, the centaur. According to Philostratus, the griffin was sacred to Apollo or Sol. The reverse of this coin commemorates vows made to Apollo invoking his protection in Galllienus’ fight against Aureolus who revolted in 267 AD. Ob.: GALLIENVS AVG radiate head to r. Rev.: APOLLINI CONS AVG (To Apollo protector of the August), gryphon walking left, Δ in ex. Roughly, 14% of Gallienus' total coins minted belong to the Zoo series. During the reign of Gallienus, the Roman Imperial mints were beginning a system of putting mint and/or officina marks on coins, a practice that was to continue throughout the remainder of the Imperial period. Among other things, this might have been needed for quality control, helping to trace irregularities in coins’ weights and alloys. The Antoninianus doesn’t contain more than 3 or 4 % silver, which is very weak.
Van Meter points to Gallienus as a terrific emperor to collect and I fully agree - the coins of Gallienus have everything, including interesting provincials, affordable and fascinating antonianii, and nice bronze coins if you have patience. And the "Zoo" antoninianii are terrific too. I knew someone who only collected "SPQR" antoninianii of Gallienus - competing with a few others who had the same interest. I think he had HUNDREDS of this type. I wonder what happens when he decides to sell?
A few nice bits of information here. I've never actively collected these coins but find the idea of the series fascinating. I did pick up these 3 as they were very cheap and reduced the cost per coin delivery at a UK auction (I was after an Allectus and I hate paying for delivery for just one coin).
I think there were several documented finds that consisted of antoniniani - hoards rather. I have a book documenting a hoard of about 2700 coins discovered in NIS. But there are much larger boards I think in the tens of thousands.
