VC036 Gallienus, Potin Tetradrachm, Alexandria, Egypt, Eagle. Gorgeous!

Description

Gallienus ruled jointly with his father Valerian from 253 to 260. Valerian was captured by Shapur I in the Battle of Edessa, at which point Gallienus became sole ruler, and the empire erupted into a civil war known as the
Crisis of the Third Century.
Although the emperor managed to defeat several eastern usurpers, he could not stop the formation of the breakaway Gallic Empire under the general Postumus.
A curious phenomenon – the quality of imperial minting diminished greatly during this period, particularly during the rule of Gallienus. The reasons are unknown, but anyone who has collected the antoniniani of Gallienus and Salonina know just how awful the coinage can get: ragged flans, off-center and uneven strikes, poor artistry, etc., Provincial mints, however, continued to produce coins of high quality, like this tetradrachm of Alexandria. Here is the emperor with his characteristic neck beard on a coin with a lovely chocolate patina, well-struck on a thick flan, clean as a whistle. A real gem!
Gallienus, AD 253-268.
Potin tetradrachm, 23mm, 10.6g, 11h; Alexandria mint, AD 255/6.
Obv.: AVT K P LIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC CEB; Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right.
Rev.: Eagle standing right holding wreath in beak, palm branch behind; L – IΓ (RY 13)
Reference: Koln 2928, Dattari 5288.
From the Sallent Collection, ex-Ken Dorney.