Triton XXII, Lot: 1160. Estimate $2000. Sold for $3250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Anonymous issues. temp. Gallienus, circa AD 268. Æ Sestertius (27mm, 14.87 g, 6h). Rome mint. GENI VS P R, radiate head of Genius of the Roman People right, wearing mural crown / Large S • C; INT above, VRB below; all within laurel wreath. RIC V 2 (Interregnum); Yonge 42 (dies S/s); MIR 36, 702h. EF, attractive natural green patina. Very rare.

From the Douglas O. Rosenberg Collection. Ex CNG Inventory 902012 (April 1992); Aufhäuser 8 (9 November 1991), lot 558.

The reassignment of this peculiar issue to the end of the reign of Gallienus as opposed to the traditional placement during the interregnum between the death of Aurelian and the elevation of Tacitus has been convincingly argued by David Yonge. He bases his determination on flan manufacture, portrait style, and a comparative analysis of mid-third century Roman monetary denominations, and suggests that this issue was probably a commemorative issue in anticipation of Gallienus' entry into Rome after his victories over the Herulians and Goths at Naissus.