Gallienus, BI Antoninianus, Antioch Mint, 253-268 AD – Sol

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Description

Roman Imperial, Gallienus, BI Antoninianus (billon, 3.95g, 22.2mm), Antioch Mint, 253-268 AD
Obv: GALLIENVS AVG; radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Gallienus right
Rev: SOLI INVICTO ; Sol, standing left, raising hand and holding globe, PXV in exergue
Ref:  RIC V.I 611 var. (Asia bust) Rarity/Choice: Scarce, Good VF (struck on borad flan and almost fully silvered)
Note: Gallienus ruled as Roman Emperor from AD 253 to 268, a period marked by significant military and political turmoil known as the Crisis of the Third Century. Despite these challenges, Gallienus implemented several military and administrative reforms and worked to stabilize the empire amidst constant threats from external invasions and internal rebellions. The coin’s iconography emphasizes the divine protection and favor bestowed upon Gallienus by Sol Invictus. The emperor’s portrayal with the radiate crown and the depiction of Sol holding the globe underscore the theme of celestial power and the ruler’s divine right to govern. The Antoninianus of Gallienus, minted in Antioch, serves as a powerful symbol of the emperor’s divine protection and authority. Through its detailed imagery and inscriptions, the coin communicates the emperor’s connection to Sol Invictus and his role as the divinely favored ruler, reflecting the religious and political ideologies of the Roman Empire during a time of crisis.

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