Nomos 7

Gallienus. AD 253-268. Aureus (Gold, 2.18 g 6), Rome, 261-262. GALLIENVM AVG SENATVS Laureate and cuirassed bust of Gallienus to right, slight drapery on his far shoulder. Rev. GENIVS AVG The Genio Augusti standing left, wearing modius on his head and with cloak around his shoulders, holding patera in his right hand and cornucopia with his left; to right, legionary standard. A. Alföldi, Studien zur Geschichte der Weltkrise des 3. Jahrhunderts n. Chr. (Darmstadt, 1967) p. 60, 2 (an aureus with this obverse but a different reverse = Cohen 676, ex Tanini). Calicó -. Göbl, Pl. 36, 401 and 403 (this obverse, but on antoniniani), and 416L (this reverse). RIC -. Extremely rare, probably unique, and hitherto unpublished. Minor flan crack and some flatness from striking, otherwise, good extremely fine.

From a Swiss collection, ex Lanz 102, 28 May 2001, 948.

The emperor’s name on this coin is in the accusative, thus the legend tells us that “the Senate Gallienus Augustus”; a very rare legend variety. It seems very likely that this coin was struck to celebrate Gallienus’ victory over the Alemanni, who had invaded Italy in 260 but were soundly defeated by the Roman army near Milan. However, it has also been suggested that it was struck as a donative in advance of a planned campaign against Postumus c. 263-265.