GALLIENUS
AD 253-268 
AE Antoninianus. 3.30g, 22mm
MINTED: Siscia mint, AD 260-268
REF: RIC 580K; Göbl MIR 1476b
OBVERSE: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right.
REVERSE: PROVI AVG, Providentia standing left, holding baton and cornucopiae, at foot, globe; II in right field.
 
Notes:
Nice dark green patina with light earthen deposits in obverse field. 
Providentia, the Roman goddess of foresight and prudent planning, personified the concept of providence. She guided mortals in making wise decisions and preparing for the future. Associated with abundance and foresight, she ensured that individuals were equipped to navigate life's challenges and seize opportunities through careful planning and preparation.
 
Provenance:
Ex E.E. Clain-Stefanelli Collection, with the collector’s old handwritten tag included
Elvira Eliza Clain-Stefanelli (1914-2001) was born in Romania, and during World War II, she and her husband Vladimir were sent by the Gestapo to Buchenwald concentration camp. They survived their 3-year imprisonment and when the war was over, moved to Italy, where they worked in the numismatic trade. In 1951, they moved to the United States, where their knowledge and passion for numismatics led to them becoming curators of National Numismatics Collection at the Smithsonian. Together, they were also authors of numerous important reference works and curated an excellent personal collection of coins.
 
Historical Notes:
Gallienus was co-emperor with his father, Valerian, from 253 until 260, when the latter was defeated and captured by the Persian king, Shapur the Great.  History does not record if Gallienus attempted any recovery of his father, but he did continue his own sole rule of an empire that was rapidly becoming a shadow of its former self.  Much of the Roman East had been ravaged by the Persians, and the provinces of Gaul, Germany, Raetia, Britannia and Hispania broke away to form a Gallic Empire under the usurper Postumus.  After surrendering rule of the eastern provinces to the Palmyrene nobleman, Odenathus, Gallienus controlled only Italy and the Balkans directly.  While many sources paint Gallienus as an irresponsible, indolent and decadent ruler, others record that he successfully repelled a host of barbarian invaders and crushed a number of rebellions.  In fact, it was while besieging the rebel general Aureolus at Mediolanum (Milan) in 268 that Gallienus was assassinated.