Emperor Gallienus sestertius - in Numista?

Hi all,

I had a first in finding a roman coin among a bulk coin purchase. I have identified it as a sestertius of Emperor Gallienus. Shame it has been clipped! Problem is, I can't locate it on the Numista catalogue. Would love to get another opinion.

Thanks

I can't read the legend, but the portrait reminds me more of Philip the Arab than Gallienus.

Thingknower

I can't read the legend, but the portrait reminds me more of Philip the Arab than Gallienus.

Funny you should say that. When I first started trying to ID this coin I too thought it was Philip as it is a very similar effigy. Have attached a second image with different lighting that I'm pretty sure is Gallienus.

 Visible lettering - pictures to follow is 

        GALLIENVS // [CONC]ORDIA 

which, if this page had pictures, seems to fit. 

N#286788 

· Obverse
Bust of Gallienus, radiate, draped, right.

Lettering: IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS AVG

Translation: Imperator Caesar Publius Licinius Gallienus Augustus.
Supreme commander (Imperator), Caesar Publius Licinius Gallienus, Emperor (Augustus).

· Reverse
Concordia, draped, standing left, holding patera in right hand and double cornucopiae in left hand.

Lettering: CONCORDIA EXERCIT S C

Translation: Concordia Exercituum. Senatus Consultum.
Harmony with the army. Decree of the Senate. 

 This has pictures and similar lettering, to show what it may be 

https://www.deamoneta.com/auctions/view/1103/791 

GALLIENUS (253-268). Sestertius. Rome.

Obv: IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS AVG 
Laureate and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: CONCORDIA EXERCIT / S - C 
Concordia standing left, holding patera and double cornucopia. 

 Lettering added 

                                                 [CON]CORDIA  EXERC[IT] /  S  C 

                                            IMP C [P LIC] GALLIENVS [AVG] 

ZacUK

 This has pictures and similar lettering, to show what it may be 

https://www.deamoneta.com/auctions/view/1103/791 

 

 

GALLIENUS (253-268). Sestertius. Rome.

Obv: IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS AVG 
Laureate and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: CONCORDIA EXERCIT / S - C 
Concordia standing left, holding patera and double cornucopia. 

 

 Lettering added 

   

                                                 [CON]CORDIA  EXERC[IT] /  S  C 

 

   

                                            IMP C [P LIC] GALLIENVS [AVG] 

I agree this is the coin however it is laureate rather than radiate so I do not think the link to Numista in your first post is correct so I still can't find this coin on Numista. Hmmm…

 I was going to mention that - I was mainly looking for a coin 

that had the exact reverse lettering - as a starting point for identification. 

The obverse description is indeed not correct - just that lettering. 

 But … that second link, with the better pictures - 

has on the page  MIR 15dd; RIC 209  references. 

 They then lead to this page 

https://www.vcoins.com/cn/stores/lucernae/90/product/gallienus_253268_ad_bronze_sestertius_rome__concordia_exercit__s__c_concordia/1556047/Default.aspx 

ZacUK

 But … that second link, with the better pictures - 

has on the page  MIR 15dd; RIC 209  references. 

 They then lead to this page 

 

Hmm.. I tracked down a copy of RIC and 209 does not seem to match what is listed unless I'm missing something. I'm still trying to figure out the abbreviations in the obverse column. Reverse has Jupiter?

There’s more than one 209, even in the same RIC volume! The RIC clipping you have shows RIC V Gallienus 209, while ZacUK’s links are referencing RIC V Gallienus (joint reign) 209.

Would you mind giving the diameter (on the long side) and weight of your coin? That will help to confirm the correct denomination.

 That last link, above your reply, reads > 

‘Concordia standing left, holding patera and double cornucopia’. 

  So the CONCORDIA EXERCIT lettering refers to the standing figure. 

 A figure of Jupiter would have IOVI lettering. 

 To your other question - what abbreviations in what column? 

If meaning your coin - 

  IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS AVG 

Imperator Caesar Publius Licinius Gallienus Augustus.
Supreme commander (Imperator), Caesar Publius Licinius Gallienus, emperor (Augustus). 

ZacUK

 That last link, above your reply, reads > 

‘Concordia standing left, holding patera and double cornucopia’. 

  So the CONCORDIA EXERCIT lettering refers to the standing figure. 

 A figure of Jupiter would have IOVI lettering. 

I was referring to the description from RIC 209 mentions Jupiter, not Concordia, but has been pointed out, the wrong 209, I looked up Gallienus as sole ruler, not joint. My mistake.

 To your other question - what abbreviations in what column? 

If meaning your coin - 

  IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS AVG 

Imperator Caesar Publius Licinius Gallienus Augustus.
Supreme commander (Imperator), Caesar Publius Licinius Gallienus, emperor (Augustus). 

Abbreviations like 4 F K. Thanks for your help. It is the first time I've referenced RIC.

wacko

There’s more than one 209, even in the same RIC volume! The RIC clipping you have shows RIC V Gallienus 209, while ZacUK’s links are referencing RIC V Gallienus (joint reign) 209.

Aah… I assumed sole ruler era, not joint. My mistake.

Would you mind giving the diameter (on the long side) and weight of your coin? That will help to confirm the correct denomination.

Diam. = 28.5mm

Weight = 22.6g

Thanks

EKrabappel

Abbreviations like 4 F K. Thanks for your help. It is the first time I've referenced RIC.

  The letters F K are Mint letters for 

https://en.numista.com/catalogue/mint.php?id=434 

as shown on  N#367170  for example. 

ZacUK

EKrabappel

Abbreviations like 4 F K. Thanks for your help. It is the first time I've referenced RIC.

  The letters F K are Mint letters for 

https://en.numista.com/catalogue/mint.php?id=434 

as shown on  N#367170  for example. 

Thanks.

wacko

There’s more than one 209, even in the same RIC volume! The RIC clipping you have shows RIC V Gallienus 209, while ZacUK’s links are referencing RIC V Gallienus (joint reign) 209.

 

Would you mind giving the diameter (on the long side) and weight of your coin? That will help to confirm the correct denomination.

Do you concur with the denomination given the weight and diameter? Ta

Apologies for the late response, I've been occupied offline. Yes indeed, you have a sestertius of type RIC V Gallienus (joint reign) 209. The most probable subtype is 209eA.

Numista has a page for this type, but it doesn't explicitly list the subtypes. It just notes the difference in reverse lettering (EXERCIT vs EXERCITI). The other difference is whether the bust of Gallienus is draped or cuirassed.

N#286832

Edit: You may be interested to know that Wildwinds' example of Gallienus (joint) 209 is also clipped. So your coin isn't alone in that respect!