HIGHLY DETAILED ROMAN IMPERIAL COIN OF GALLIENUS COIN PENDANT IN 14K YELLOW GOLD

260 - 268 A.D.

Of all the ancient coins I have used in coin jewelry since I first began with this medium in 1991, this specimen features one of the most crisp and well-centered obverses.  The patina and state of preservation to the metal is as perfect as possible on this profile side.  The coin is a genuine bronze antoninianus coin featuring the emperor Gallienus who served as Augustus from 260 to 268 A.D., the period when this coin was minted.  The neutral dark patina to the bronze coin contrasts beautifully with the high polished 14K yellow gold setting making for a rich display and suitable for wear by either a man or a woman.

Born in 218 A.D. in Milan to emperor Valerian and his wife, Mariniana, Gallienus was eventually raised to co-Augustus in 253 A.D. and later, as Augustus in 260 A.D. upon the embarrassing capture and death of his father at the hands of the Persians.  It was reported that the Persian ruler, Shapur, had Valerian's body stuffed and put on display in his court.  This event nearly put the entire Roman Empire into anarchy. 

Gallienus continued to rule as sole emperor for another eight years.  He was highly successful in campaigns against the Germans on both the Rhine and Danube river frontiers of the Empire.  Despite several mutinies and attempted coups, he prevailed and pushed on to restore the Roman Empire to the peaceful and stabile days of when he ruled together with his father Valerian.  Gallienus realized he was going to have to upgrade the Roman military to do this.  Some of the most sweeping reforms of the army were instituted by him.  The most important was the creation of a strategic "rapid response" cavalry reserve always ready to swiftly move to any front and even fight a multi-front war with limited resources.  

Gallienus' revitalization of the mighty Roman army paid off.  The bloodiest and most dramatic battle of the entire third century was won by him as he and his forces slaughtered 50,000 Gothic warriors at Naissus in Yugoslavia.  This victory afforded Gallienus the highest respect and admiration by the common Roman soldier.  Maybe too much though for some as he was murdered thereafter in the same year by his conspiring senior staff officers in the summer of 268 A.D..  His successor?  None other than the chief commander of the strategic cavalry of which Gallienus himself created a few years earlier, Claudius Gothicus. 

A truly stunning piece and a real attention-getter!  The detail and perfect centering of this ancient coin is amongst the finest I have used in ancient coin jewelry in 14 years!  An immaculate specimen!

Overall diameter is a sizable 22 mm.  

CPR053     SOLD     COMES WITH A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY / HISTORY SHEET

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