Gallienus, joint reign with Valerian I, 253 – 260. Aureus 255-256, AV 2.05 g. IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS P F AVG Laureate and cuirassed bust r. Rev. VIRT – VS – AVGG Mars striding r., holding spear and trophy. C 1271 var. (laureate, draped and different obverse legend). RIC 102 var. (different obverse legend). Göbl 84m and pl. 13 (this coin illustrated). Calicó 3648 (this coin).
Very rare. A wonderful portrait of fine style, virtually as struck and almost Fdc

This coin published
Hyman Montagu (†), ”Rare and Unpublished Roman Gold Coins in my Collection”, in The Numismatic Chronicle and Journal of the Numismatic Society, vol. 3-XVII (1897), pp. 35-89, no. 129.
Karl Menadier, ”Die Münzen und das Münzwesen bei den Scriptores Historia Augustae, Exkurs, Die Goldprägung der valerianisch-gallienischen Zeit”, in Zeitschrift für Numismatik, vol. 31 (1914), pp. 60-144, no. 210.
Provenance
Hyman Montagu (born Hyman Moses) Collection, sold by Rollin & Feuardent, Paris, auction 20-28 April 1896, lot. 620.
Sold by J. Hirsch, Munich, auction XXXIV, 5 May 1914 sqq., lot 1469.
V. M. Brand (1861-1926) Collection, (part I) sold by Sotheby’s, Zürich, 1st July 1982, lot 47.
McLendon (1921-1986). Collection, sold by Christie’s New York, auction 12 June 1993, lot 185
Sold by Meister & Sonntag, Stuttgart, auction 2, 20 September 2004, lot 1196.
Sold by Gemini LLC with Heritage Galleries, Chicago, auction VIII, 14 Aril 2011, lot 418.