- COMPOSITION : Billon
- RULER : Gallienus
- CERTIFICATION : Uncertified
- DENOMINATION : Antoninianus
- GRADE : Ungraded
Roman Empire
Gallienus 253-268 AD Antoninianus FIDES MILITVM
Billon antoninianus, weight: 2.63g, diameter: 20mm,
obverse GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right;
reverse FIDES MILITVM (the loyalty of the soldiers, M appearing as IIII), Fides standing slightly left, head left, standard in left, scepter in right, N (appearing as III) right;
Gallienus was co-emperor with his father
Valerian from 253, then ruled alone after his father's capture by Parthia in
260. Ruling during the Crisis of the Third Century that nearly caused the
collapse of the empire, he repelled wave after wave of barbarian invaders, but
he was unable to prevent the secession of important provinces. Gallienus
presided over a late flowering of Roman culture, patronizing poets, artists, and
philosophers. He was assassinated by his own soldiers in 268 while besieging
Milan.
Like many of the dedications on Gallienus' coins, this coin's dedication to the
fidelity of the army was a false hope. During the siege of Milan, at a late hour
but while he was still lingering with pleasures of the table, a false alarm was
given, that Aureolus, at the head of all his forces, had made a desperate sally
from the town. Gallienus, who was never deficient in personal bravery, started
from his silken couch, and without allowing himself time either to put on his
armor, or to assemble his guards, he mounted on horseback, and rode full speed
towards the supposed place of the attack. Ambushed by enemies from among his own
force, amidst the nocturnal tumult, he received a mortal wound from an uncertain
hand.
15 277
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