Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 452 18 Sep 2019
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Gallienus. AD 253-268. Antoninianus (23mm, 2.74 g, 12h). "Legionary series" issue. Mediolanum (Milan) mint. 2nd emission, circa AD 260-262. Radiate and cuirassed bust right / LEG IIII FL VI P VI F, lion leaping right. RIC V 343; MIR 36, 1002n; Toffanin 95/6; RSC 500. Lightly toned. VF. Excellent silver quality.
Legio IV (or IIII) Flavia Felix ("Fortunate Flavian") was raised circa AD 70 by Vespasian, using a core of veterans of the Legio IV Macedonica, which had been disbanded due to its poor performance during the AD 69 Batavian Revolt. The new legion's symbol was a lion. IV Flavia Felix was stationed in Moesia Superior and eventually settled at a permanent fortress at Singidunum (modern Belgrade, Serbia) on the Danube, from whence detachments fought in Domitian's and Trajan's Dacian campaigns. Legio IV was one of the first units to declare for Septimius Severus when he made his bid for the throne in April AD 193, and it was among the units honored for loyalty on his initial coinage of that year. In AD 195, Severus placed his brother-in-law C. Julius Avitus Alexianus, husband of Julia Maesa, in command of Legio IV. The "Felix Legion" named in the popular film "Gladiator" was apparently based on IV Flavia Felix, although the legion's banners in the film show a lion and the numeral III (there was no actual "III Felix").
Legio IV (or IIII) Flavia Felix ("Fortunate Flavian") was raised circa AD 70 by Vespasian, using a core of veterans of the Legio IV Macedonica, which had been disbanded due to its poor performance during the AD 69 Batavian Revolt. The new legion's symbol was a lion. IV Flavia Felix was stationed in Moesia Superior and eventually settled at a permanent fortress at Singidunum (modern Belgrade, Serbia) on the Danube, from whence detachments fought in Domitian's and Trajan's Dacian campaigns. Legio IV was one of the first units to declare for Septimius Severus when he made his bid for the throne in April AD 193, and it was among the units honored for loyalty on his initial coinage of that year. In AD 195, Severus placed his brother-in-law C. Julius Avitus Alexianus, husband of Julia Maesa, in command of Legio IV. The "Felix Legion" named in the popular film "Gladiator" was apparently based on IV Flavia Felix, although the legion's banners in the film show a lion and the numeral III (there was no actual "III Felix").