Gallienus 254-260 AD Silver Antoninianus aEF

Rome mint 255-256 AD.

Obverse: Radiate-crowned and cuirassed bust of Gallienus facing to the right, legend surrounds, “IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS PF AVG”.

Reverse: Providentia stands facing to the left, draped in stola and resting cornucopia in left arm and holding wand over globe in right, legend surrounds, “PROVIDENTIA AVGG”. RIC-159. Struck on a nice, broad flan and with a portrait of quite youthful style, quite different to his typical portraiture,

Gallienus was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 253-268 AD during the Crisis of the Third Century. He faced numerous challenges to his authority, including invasions by barbarian tribes and rebellions by his own generals. Despite these challenges, he was able to maintain the unity of the empire for a time.