LEG II ADI

452, Lot: 749. Estimate $100. Sold for $400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Gallienus. AD 253-268. Antoninianus (22mm, 3.19 g, 12h). “Legionary series” issue. Mediolanum (Milan) mint. 2nd emission, AD 261. Radiate and cuirassed bust right / LEG II ADI VI P VI F, pegasus flying right. RIC V 324; MIR 36, 990r; Toffanin 82/4; RSC 465. Toned, light porosity, flan crack. Good VF.

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.