442, Lot: 507. Estimate $150. Sold for $140. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Gallienus. AD 253-268. Antoninianus (20mm, 3.44 g, 12h). Antioch mint. Issues 11-12, AD 264-265. GALLIENVS AV[G], radiate head left / P M TR P XII / C VI P P in exergue, radiate lion walking left. MIR 36, 1620f; RIC V (sole reign) 601 var. (bust type); Cunetio –. VF, some silvering, rough surfaces. Extremely rare, only one piece noted by MIR (Alföldi, Studien, pl. 37, 7).

Bought from CGB, Paris, 2012. Ex CGB Rome 32 (2012), no. 284685.

The titles in the reverse inscription date this coin to January-August AD 264. Manders (2012, pp. 297-8) suggests that the reverse designs of this and the next coin may refer to: ‘the victories which Odaenathus [of Palmyra], Rome’s ally, gained over the Persians, probably in 262-263 and 267. This hypothesis is strengthened by the thirteenth Sibylline Oracle’s description of the Persians as “venom spitting beasts” who have been destroyed by Odaenathus, the “sun-sent, dreadful, fearful lion, breathing much fire”.’ Against this, and for a discussion of the use of this reverse type by various emperors, see Woods forthcoming (2018). He rejects various past suggestions as to its significance, and favours the radiate lion with thunderbolt as an indication of imperial bravery, based on legends concerning the birth of Alexander the Great,