Gallienus, 253-268. Antoninianus (Bronze, 20 mm, 2.29 g, 6 h), Rome, 265-267. GALLIENVS AVG Radiate head of Gallienus to right. Rev. ORIENS AVG Sol advancing left, raising his right hand in salute and holding whip in his left; in field to left, Z (retrograde). Cohen 699. MIR 616a. RIC 249. An unusually sharp die clash. Struck from a worn and clashed reverse die, otherwise, good very fine.


Clashed dies occur when, during the striking process, no blank flan is accidentally placed between the dies. The reverse die then strikes the obverse die with such force that it leaves an impression, which can be seen on all subsequently struck coins - including our specimen. Usually, only faint traces of the obverse design are visible, but on this example the incuse head of the emperor is remarkably clear - a striking testimony to the immense forces generated during minting.