A Rare Drachm of Gallienus
Ex Wetterstrom Collection

Triton XXI, Lot: 226. Estimate $2000. Sold for $1200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

EGYPT, Alexandria. Gallienus. AD 253-268. Æ Drachm (29mm, 14.58 g, 11h). Dated RY 12 (AD 264/265). AVT K Π ΛIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC CЄB, laureate and cuirassed bust right / Eagle standing left, head right with wreath in its beak, wings closed; L IB (date) to right, palm frond to left. Köln 2926; Dattari (Savio) 5294-6; K&G 90.83 (this coin illustrated); Emmett 3842.12 (R2); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 232 (this coin). Good VF, reddish brown patina with touches of green, minor roughness. Rare, with only one other specimen appearing at auction since 2000.

From the Giovanni Maria Staffieri Collection. Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 153 (further pedigree to Lucius S. Ruder Collection is in error).

This rare issue of drachms by Gallienus was most likely part of a continuing series of coins commemorating his decennalia, which occurred two years prior in AD 263. The diameter and weight of this issue was significantly decreased from the typical Alexandrian drachm of previous reigns.