Ave!

Gallienus Zoo, Pegasus and Panther, Oh My!

Æ Antoninianus; each at c. 21mm/3.4gm     Mint of Rome 

Con/ Very well centered with complete legends. Handsome portraits, crisp reverses, both with sound green patinas beneath soft dirt. After appropriate cleaning, Very Fine.

#1 -

Obv/ GALLIENVS AVG; radiate bust right 

Rev/ SOLI CONS AVG (to Sol protector of the Emperor); Pegasus flying right.

Ref/ RIC Vol Va 283

This coin, among the last struck by Gallienus, was dedicated to Sol to appeal for his protection  Apparently Sol was not impressed. Soon after it was struck, in Sep 268, Gallienus was murdered by his senior officers while besieging the would-be usurper Aureolus in Mediolanum (Milan). The Senate charged Marcus Aurelius Claudius with Gallienus' murder but it was never proven. The accused became the new emperor, Claudius II.

#2 -

Obv/ GALLIENVS AVG; radiate bust right.

Rev/ LIBERO P CONS AVG (to father Liber, the protector of the emperor);  female panther walking left, roaring.

RIC Vol Va 230

The reverse legend translates Libero Patri Conservatori Augusti, which identifies Liber Pater, a panther sacred to Bacchus, as a protector of the emperor.