so rare Gallienus lion

What is it about left-facing antoniniani of Gallienus that makes them so desirable? Several year ago I found this coin in a batch of uncleaneds:

Obv: GALLIENVS AVG - Radiate, helmeted bust left wearing cuirass and holding spear and shield.
Rev: MARTI P-ACIF - Mars, walking left, holding spear, shield and olive branch.

I knew it was an unusual obverse, so I held onto it for a few years, but then I put it up for auction on eBay, hoping it would bring $25 or so. I got emails from people offering me $100 or even $150 if I would end the auction and sell it to them (which I politely declined; for one thing, it's against eBay's terms of service). It ended up selling for over $200.

True, left-facing busts of Gallienus are not common, but $200? Are these perhaps special presentation coins? Is there some historical significance to them that I'm not aware of? RIC doesn't even bother listing them separately.

Can someone enlighten me?

 

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good point... no idea! all my Gallienus are right-facing...