GALLIENUS, \"Zoo Series\", Winged Pegasus, \"Sun God Save Us\", Imperial Roman Coin
![GALLIENUS, \](img-large/g/9YYAAOSw1vlUxWpm/s-l1600/GALLIENUS-Zoo-Series-Winged-Pegasus-Sun-God-Save-U.jpg "GALLIENUS, \")
When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
GALLIENUS, \"Zoo Series\", Winged Pegasus, \"Sun God Save Us\", Imperial Roman Coin:
$6.50
GALLIENUS, Roman Emperor A.D. 253 - 268
Gallienus was the son of Valerian who found himself sole ruler of theEmpire after the capture of Valerian by the Persians. Previous to that father and sole had jointly served as co-Emperors. During Gallienus\' reign he fought back wave afterwave of barbarian invaders along with many wananabe usurpers to thethrone. He was eventually killed by oneof these usurpers, Aureolus, in whose army was a soldier named, Claudius. Hesoon became Claudius II Gothicus, emperor from 268-270.
Emperor Gallienus’ \"Zoo Series\" coins
As stated above, Gallienus’ reign was plagued by many serious misfortunes.Not only was the empire facing invasions on all sides from various barbarian groups, but also he had to face at least 8 rebellions from his own governors and generals!To counteract these issues, Gallienus turned to the gods and issued a series of coins designed to make appeals for protection for the Empire.The following deities were used on coins in this series: Apollo, Diana, Liber Pater, Jupiter, Hercules, Neptune, Mercury, and Sol.A variety of animals appear on the reverse of these coins, from actual animals like deer, doe, stag, antelope, goats lions, and panthers to mythical creatures like: centaurs, gryphons, Pegasus, and capricorn. As a result, this series of coins is often called the “Zoo series”.Gallienus\' wife, Salonina, also issued coins for this series, asking Juno for protection. It\'s also possible that these coins also refer to activities used to entertain the Roman people, hopefully diverting their attention from the Empire’s sorry state.
SOLI CONS AVG (SOL Conservatrix Augusti)
Sol was the solar deity of the Romanreligion.Sol\'s image dominated images on the coins of lateremperors. Sol’s sacred animal was the rooster, which awoke him every morning sothat he could begin his daily journey in his quadriga (4-horse chariot) acrossthe heavens. Most of his coins depict what\'s commonly referred to as a\"Pegasus\", but not accurate. The Pegasus is a very specific mythicalfigure, but doesn\'t seem to have a connection with Apollo or Sol. It\'s muchmore likely that Gallienus’ \"Pegasus\" coins depict the winged horseswhich drew Sol’s golden chariot across the sky each day. The Roman poet, Ovid,named these four winged horses as Pyrois, Eos, Aethon, and Phlegon. In this series, Gallienus is using this coin\'slegend, “SOL CONS AVG”as an epithetcalling for Sol’s protection of the Emperor and Rome duringthis very difficult period in the history of the Roman Empire.
In Greekmythology (which was often adopted by the Romans), Pegasus was a winged horsethat carried the thunderbolt of Zeus. Hewas born, as the myth goes, as a full-grown entity springing from the neck ofthe dying Gorgon, Medusa. His father wasPoseidon, king of the ocean. He wasoften associated with the arts, especially poetry. He was also known to carry wounded soldiersfrom battle.
The antoninianus was a coin used by theRomans that was thought to have the value of 2 denarii. It was instituted by Caracalla in 215A.D. as a silver coin larger than a denarius and featured the emperorwearing a radiate crown. We really don’tknow what it was called at the time of the Romans, but because Caracallahad taken Antoninus as part of hisimperial name (as did many emperors of the second and third centuries), thename was associated with Caracalla and the name of the coin stuck. The antoninianus’ silver content becamedebased over the centuries and was finally put to rest during Diocletian’smonetary system reforms at the turn of the fourth century and replaced with newdenominations: the argenteus (silver) and the follis (bronze).
The coin was minted in theancient Roman capital city of Rome.Here are the coin\'s attributes:
Gallienus AE Antoninianus (18-21 mm, 2.51 gm)
OBV: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right
REV: SOLI CONS AVG,Pegasus springing right
Rome mint RIC 283
As usual, the pictures really don\'t do justice. Let me know if you have questions.
Absolute Guarantee of Authenticity
I have collected Roman coins for many years and have always bought coins from trusted, reputable dealers. The coins I sell are ancient currency minted under the authority of the Roman Empire, unless otherwise noted. The details I describe (emperor, location, legends, etc) are derived from well-known and certified attribution sources. The descriptions are guaranteed accurate as much as the condition of the coin allows. ThisGuarantee of Authenticitydoes not make any claim or estimate of the value or grades of the coin(s).
I will send each coin that I have attributed in a 2X2 coin holder on which is written all important identifiable legends and features.
ALL OF MY ITEMS COME WITH A GUARANTEE OF SATISFACTION , IF ANY ITEM IS NOT AS DESCRIBED IT CAN BE RETURNED IN ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION FOR A REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE.
SHIPPING & HANDLING POLICY
Imail all orders in an appropriately sized bubble envelope that includes tracking and delivery confirmation. This is something that protects the merchandise better and allows you to follow your order online. For this service, buyers willonly be charged one flat ratecharge of $3.00which will cover the costs of any number of sales purchased.(International buyers, see below) So, yes, I willcombine shipping and handling costs if you win multiple sales.
PayPal only, please.
GALLIENUS, \"Zoo Series\", Winged Pegasus, \"Sun God Save Us\", Imperial Roman Coin:
$6.50