442, Lot: 202. Estimate $100. Sold for $260. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Gallienus. AD 253-268. Ӕ Sestertius (27mm, 18.98 g, 6h). Rome mint. 7th issue, AD 262. [IMP] GALLIENVS P F AVG, laureate head right / S P Q R/OPTIMO/PRINCIPI within wreath. MIR 36, 536v; RIC V (sole reign) 393 var. (bust type); Banti –. VF, thick green patina.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica O (11 May 2004), lot 2093.

By re-using this reverse legend, found so frequently on coins of Trajan, Gallienus must deliberately have been attempting to portray himself as comparable to that most favourably regarded predecessor.