Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XVII 28 Mar 2019
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Gallienus AV Aureus. Rome, AD 253-254. IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right, slight drapery on left shoulder / IOVI CONSERVA, Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt in raised right hand and sceptre in left. RIC V 75; MIR 36, 25p; Calicó 3515; Biaggi 1461; Hunter -. 3.52g, 20mm, 12h.
Mint State.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group Inc., Triton XVIII, 6 January 2015, lot 1220.
This magnificent aureus of Gallienus was struck early in the new emperor's reign, and bears a highly individualistic image that greatly exceeds in artistic merit the vast majority of his later depictions, which eventually demonstrate such a devolution of identity and refinement that a distinct tendency can be observed towards what one might even call caricaturistic pasquinade.
Named Caesar at the same time his father Valerian became emperor in AD 253, within a month Gallienus was promoted to the rank of co-Augustus. The responsibility for the western provinces was handed to him the following year as Valerian marched east to campaign against the Persian army, and Gallienus proceeded to take military action to secure the Rhine and Danube frontiers from German attacks. His efforts were largely successful and he earned the title 'Germanicus Maximus' five times between 255 and 258, though at a cost of his eldest son, lost during a campaign in the Danube early in 258.
Mint State.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group Inc., Triton XVIII, 6 January 2015, lot 1220.
This magnificent aureus of Gallienus was struck early in the new emperor's reign, and bears a highly individualistic image that greatly exceeds in artistic merit the vast majority of his later depictions, which eventually demonstrate such a devolution of identity and refinement that a distinct tendency can be observed towards what one might even call caricaturistic pasquinade.
Named Caesar at the same time his father Valerian became emperor in AD 253, within a month Gallienus was promoted to the rank of co-Augustus. The responsibility for the western provinces was handed to him the following year as Valerian marched east to campaign against the Persian army, and Gallienus proceeded to take military action to secure the Rhine and Danube frontiers from German attacks. His efforts were largely successful and he earned the title 'Germanicus Maximus' five times between 255 and 258, though at a cost of his eldest son, lost during a campaign in the Danube early in 258.