Collection History: Donated by Dr. Wilson A. Farnsworth, 1897
Gallienus ruled as Augustus from 253-268 AD. For the first seven years of his reign, he ruled as co-emperor with his father Valerian and was given responsibility over the western provinces. From 260 to 268 AD, he ruled alone and faced nearly constant invasions by barbarians throughout the empire. As a result, the rate of inflation during this period increased dramatically and the Antoninianus, originally a silver coin, was heavily debased. C VI PP in the exergue denotes Gallienus’ sixth consulate and allows this coin to be dated precisely to the year 265 AD. Minted in Asia. Allison Gamble 2013.