Roman Silver Antoniniani of Gallienus

His reign occurred in a part of Roman history when the Empire was in decline, under attack on most of its borders, from within, and also by famine and plague. His son Saloninus was captured and executed by Postumus who invaded and captured Gaul in AD 259. When his father Valerian was captured by the Persians in AD 260, Gallienus failed to avenge his captivity, and it is believed that he saw it to be to his advantage. Valerian had strict morals, and with him safely out of the way, Gallienus was able to indulge his own excesses and cruelties. Historians regard him as an unsavoury character with every vice imaginable, and lacking in moral courage, magnanimity and decision.
In AD 263, he captured Byzantium and put to the sword its garrison, despite his promise to the contrary. Writing to Celer Verianus, he instructs him to destroy the supporters of the usurper Ingenuus "...mutilate, kill, and exterminate them...". It is surprising that his reign lasted so long before he was assassinated by his own Illyrian officers at the siege of Milan in AD 268.

The Antoninianus
Nero had first debased the Roman coinage, and mild inflation and debasement had continued gradually. During the reign of Gallienus, from about AD 260, the silver coinage was completely debased, and hyper-inflation occurred. Prices had risen by a factor of about 3 from the first to the third centuries. During the second half of Gallenius' reign, prices rose by a factor of about 20. Bankers refused to accept the vast quantities of low quality coins which were minted. Low quality referring mainly to their lack of precious metal content, but later by their reduced size, and irregular shape. Very few gold and true silver coins were issued, and these are quite rare. The antoninianus, which had started as a silver coin, had its silver content reduced to that of a thin silver coating, and eventually even this pretence stopped, later coins being completely base metal.
This however is good news for numismatists and others interested in owning a piece of Roman history. Because they were issued in large quantities, presumably to finance the heavy activities of the Roman army, we are able to enjoy ownership of the antoniniani of Gallienus at very low cost.

We have an interesting selection of Antoniniani of Gallienus, with many different reverse types, both in silvery early issues, and in coppery later issues, in different grades of preservation. First a general description.

Obverse:
The normal obverse type is a radiate crowned head, or a draped or cuirassed bust, of Gallienus facing right.
The commonest obverse legends are as follows:-
GALLIENUS AUG.
GALLIENUS P. F. AUG.
IMP GALLIENUS AUG.
IMP GALLIENUS P. F. AUG.
IMP C. P. LIC. GALLIENUS AUG.
IMP C. P. LIC. GALLIENUS P. F. AUG.

Reverse
There are many different reverse design types, featuring a wide selection, probably over 40 deities, and other commemorative types, each carrying an appropriate inscription
Reverse legends which read ...AUGG are from the earlier period of his joint reign with Valerian.
Those reading ...AUG are from the later period of his reign when he was sole emperor.

The following is a list of typical reverse inscriptions:
ABUNDANTIA AUG
AEQUITAS AUG
AETERNITAS AUG
ANNONA AUG
APOLLINI CONS AUG
APOLLO CONSER
COHH PRAET VI P VI F
CONCORDIA AUGG
CONSERVATOR AUG
DEO MARTI
DIANAE CONS AUG
DIANA FELIX
FECUNDITAS AUG
FELICIT PUBL
FELICITAS AUGG FIDES MILITUM
FORT REDUX
FORTUNA REDUX
GENIUS AUG
GERMANICUS MAX V
HERCULI CONS AUG
INDULG AUG
INDULGENTIA AUG
IO CANTAB
IO CONS AUG
IOVI CONSERVATORI
IOVIS STATOR
IOVI VICTORI
IUBENTUS AUG
LAETITIA AUG
LEG I ADI VI P VI F
LEG II ADI VI P VI F
LEG II PART VI P VI F
LEG VII CL VI P VI F
LEG XIII GEM VI P VI F
LIBERAL AUG
LIBERO P CONS AUG
LIBERT AUG
MARTI PACIFERO
MERCURIO CONS AUG
NEPTUNO CONS AUG
ORIENS AUG
PAX AUG
P M TR P V COS III
P M TR P VII COS
P M TR P XIII C VI P P
PROVID AUG
RESTIT GALLIAR
SALUS AUGG
SECURIT PERPET
SOLI CONS AUG
SOLI INVICTO
UBERITAS AUG
VICT GERMANICA
VICTORIA AET
VICTORIA AUG
VICTORIA AUG III
VIRT GALLIENI AUG
VIRTUS AUG
VIRTUS AUGG
VOTIS X

Details of grades and prices to follow soon.

If you want to find the value of a coin you own, please take a look at our page I've Found An Old Coin, What's It Worth?