Cool coin, moonmoth - I like the
reverse.
My latest purchase from
forum arrived today - that was FAST.
It's a small
Sestertius of
Gallienus. I wonder if
RIC wasn't mistaken about it being from 254? The
portrait looks more like an early sole reign, and the coin is MUCh smaller and lighter than the other Gallienus/Valerian
Sestertii I have, which are about the size of Trebonianus Gallus'.
The
patina is a middle green (lighter on the
reverse) with earthen highlights. I wonder if it was found in
Italy?
My collecting niche seems to be a pretty obscure and unpopular one. Oh well, that means the coins might be a
bit cheaper than they would be otherwise.
Don't get me wrong, I like collecting the
12 Caesars too, as well as all kinds of other ancients, but I especially enjoy this under-appreciated period as well. Ironically, I don't collect the Ants. in any great number.
I don't know if there's a correlation in
rarity, but do a
search - way more
Marius Ants
pop up than Valerian and
Gallienus Sestertii combined.
recycled photo.
81642.
Orichalcum sestertius,
RIC V 216, C -, aVF/F, 12.464g, 25.2mm, 180o,
Rome mint, [
IMP C P LIC GALLI]ENVS AVG, laureate and draped
bust right;
reverse [IOV]I
CONSERVATORI S C,
Jupiter standing left,
thunderbolt in right,
scepter in left; exceptional
portrait, typical tight chunky
flan;