1296. GALLIENUS. 253-268 AD. AR Quinarius (1.05 gm). Sole reign, struck
260-268 AD. Laureate and cuirassed bust right / Gallienus standing left,
holding spear and globe. RIC V pt. 1, 380 var. (obverse legend); RSC 1261
var. (same). VF, porous. Extremely rare and possibly a unique variety!
($750)

According to C.E. King, "Denarii and Quinarii, A.D. 253-295" in Scripta
Nummaria Romana, Essays Presented to Humphrey Sutherland, pg. 75-104, the
"role played by the fractional coinage in the fluid context of the later
third century argues that denarii and quinarii stood in a definite
denominational relationship with the antoninianus and that issues were too
small and sporadic for them to have been intended to function as small
change." Thus we can conclude that the above coin is a commemorative issue
of some sort.


CNG Mail bid sale #58, 18 Sept 2001, lot 1296.

Lot sold for $750.


Used by permission of CNG, www.historicalcoins.com