Description: Gallienus (253 - 268 AD). AR Antoninianus, Lugdunum mint 258 AD. GALLIENVS P F AVG; radiate, cuirassed bust left, seen from front, holding spear over shoulder and shield decorated with Medusa head / IOVI V -ICTORI; Jupiter standing left holding Victory and spear on top of cippus inscribed IMP C E S.

Diameter: AR23 mm

Weight: 3,36 g

Grade: aVF/aVF

Attribution: Göbl 870m; RIC 23; Cohen 400

Commentary: rare with bust left; good metal, weak dies and usual crude style, good obverse

History: Keeping up good relations with the army was a matter of live or death for an emperor in the third century; so the inscription on cippus reads: IMPerator Cum Exercitu Suo - the Emperor with his army.

Article Number: 045-04-05-41652