LEG II ADI

442, Lot: 356. Estimate $100. Sold for $160. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Gallienus. AD 253-268. Antoninianus (21mm, 2.35 g, 6h). Mediolanum (Milan) mint. Issue 2(2), AD 260-1. GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head left / LEG II ADI VI P VI F, Pegasus prancing right. MIR 36, 990c; RIC V (joint reign) 324 var. (bust type); Cunetio 1449. VF, green patina, smoothing, spots of active corrosion.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 65 (28 May 2003), lot 82.

Legio II Adiutrix (”Helper”) was founded in AD 70 by Vespasian, using a core of marines from the Ravenna fleet who had supported the Flavian cause. Its first action was the crushing of the Batavian Revolt that same year. After this it was sent to Britain, where it was stationed at Deva and served in the campaigns of the famous general Gnaeus Julius Agricola (AD 77-84). In AD 85 II Adiutrix was transferred to Sirmium in modern Serbia, and then in AD 106 moved to Aquincum (modern Budapest, Hungary), where it remained until the fifth century AD. II Adiutrix took part in numerous memorable campaigns, including the expedition of AD 118 against the Sarmatians. Its symbols were a boar and a flying Pegasus, as seen here.