Watch List notes:

The Roman Empire
Gallienus, 253 – 268

Gallienus' numismatic portraiture is amongst the most complex in the third century, with multiple dramatic style changes from initially classical "realistic" portraits as a general emperor via more 'experimental' portraits to minimalistic and very impersonal portraits. Gallienus late portraits are in my view an important artistic step leading on to the portraits of the dominate, the tetrarchy and eventually into images of the empires of late Rome and the Byzantine empire (which I am hesitant to even call portraits). Clearly more research is needed for the portraiture of Gallienus and the motivations behind these dramatic shifts. AMP.

Antoninianus 254, AR 3.63 g. IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS AVG Radiated and cuirassed bust r. Rev. VIRTVS AVGG Soldier standing l., resting on shield and holding spear in l. hand. C 1288. MIR 38.
RIC 181. Extremely fine
An outstanding and very individual portrait type of the young bearded emperor. AMP.