Trebonianus Gallus Silver Coins

Rome Mint

 

Dated Types

RIC Obverse/Reverse

Notes

 Obverse Photo Reverse Photo
2 IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse design and title proper to Volusian, this type is a mule for Gallus.   
PM TRP IIII COS II Genius of Senate stg. l., holding branch and transverse scepter.
3 IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse design and title proper to Volusian, this type is a mule for Gallus.   
PM TRP IIII COS II Emperor  stg. l., sacrificing over lighted tripod and holding short sceptre

Undated Types

 

 

RIC Obverse/Reverse

Notes

 Obverse Photo Reverse Photo
30  IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
AETERNITAS AVGG  Aeternitias stg. l., holding phoenix on globe and raising skirt
unlisted IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
AEQVITAS AVGG
31  IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. very thick - 5.2 grams
ANNONA AVGG  Annona stg. r., holding rudder upright and holding corn ears, l. foot on prow.
32 IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Quite certainly a direct reference to the plague.
APOLL SALVTARI   Apollo stg. l., holding branch and leaning on lyre, set on rock.
unlisted IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Unlisted reverse legend.  I bought this coin already in an NGC holder.  I normally use a holder for ancients but don't have the heart to remove the coin.  I've seen various grading holders and this one (NGC) is very well designed.
APOLLO SALVTARIS  Apollo stg. l., holding branch and leaning on lyre, set on rock.
unlisted IMP C C VIB  GALLVS  PF AVG Bust radiate,  cuirassed  r., r. shoulder back (not my coin, but Nomos kindly allowed me to use their  picture)

This amazing coins was sold by Nomos Auction 7 (Lot 194 15,May 2013 sold for 2500 CHF).  Here is the very interesting information from their catalog:

Trebonianus Gallus. 251-253. Antoninianus (Silver, 4.62 g 12), Rome, 251. IMP C VIB GALLVS P F AVG Radiate and cuirassed bust of Gallus to right, with slight drapery on his far shoulder. Rev. CONCORD AVGG Concordia seated left, holding a patera in her right hand and a cornucopia with her left. Cohen -. J. Fitz, Der Geldumlauf der römischen Provinzen im Donaugebiet Mitte des 3. Jahrhunders (Budapest, 1978), pp. 390-1 and 411 n. 115 (probably this coin cited). RIC -. Apparently unique, a coin of great numismatic importance. Toned and with a most interesting portrait, good very fine. From a Swiss collection, ex Hess-Leu 41, 24 April 1969, 464 and probably from the Korong (Hungary) Hoard of 1900-1903.
This coin is of considerable significance since it has so many unusual and unique features. In the first place, the portrait is not that of Gallus himself but has the features of Trajan Decius, his friend and the emperor whose death at the hands of the Goths brought about Gallus’s ascent to the throne. The obverse legend is a very much shortened version of the expected IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG, and is only vaguely paralleled by the IMP C GALLVS AVG that appears on his rare quinarii; the P F is a unique feature, harking back to Gordian III and forward to Aemilian. The reverse legend, with CONCORD not CONCORDIA, is also unusual; the AVGG indicates that at the time of striking there were two reigning emperors. In addition, the quality of the engraving, especially that of the obverse, is very fine. All these factors taken together suggest that this coin was Gallus’ first issue from Rome, at a time when his correct title was unsettled and his actual portrait was unknown. There is also a good possibility that this piece is a silver striking of a gold binio, or double aureus, since the portrait is so fine and the striking so carefully carried out. The portrait proclaims the new emperor’s closeness to the past one, and the AVGG on the reverse points to the fact that Hostilian was co-emperor. Shortly after this coin was struck more correct legends and portraits were introduced for Trebonianus Gallus and this early issue was probably recalled.
CONCORD AVGG  Concordia stg. l., holding patera  and double cornucopiae
unlisted IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse proper to Volusian.  RIC notes that the specimen in Paris, and all three in the British Museum are of poor metal, just as this one is.  It is very interesting that these 'mules' that mix the obverse of one emperor with the reverse of the other are so frequently of poor metal. 
CONCORDIA AVGG  Concordia stg. l., holding patera  and double cornucopiae
52 IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse proper to Volusian.  
CONCORDIA AVGG  Concordia std. l., holding patera  and double cornucopiae
52 var

unlisted

 IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse proper to Volusian.   Variant with only one cornucopia.
CONCORDIA AVGG  Concordia std. l., holding patera  and single cornucopiae
53 IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse proper to Volusian. 
CONCORDIA AVGG  Concordia std. l., holding patera  and double cornucopiae. Star in r. field
unlisted IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Appears to be overstruck on another type (probably a denarius).  Reverse type of Gallienus RIC V-I 132
CONCORDIA EXERCIT
unlisted IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. very rare
FELICITAS AVGG Felicitas stg. l., holding long caduceus and cornucopiae
unlisted IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r., star in right field very rare
FELICITAS AVGG Felicitas stg. l., holding long caduceus and cornucopiae, star in r. field
33 IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
FELICITAS PVBLICA Felicitas stg. l., holding long caduceus and cornucopiae
34 IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r., star in tight field  
FELICITAS PVBLICA Felicitas stg. l., holding long caduceus and cornucopiae, star in r. field
34A IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
FELICITAS PVBLICA  Felicitas stg. l., leaning on column, holding cadaceus and transverse sceptre
54 var

unlisted

 IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse proper to Volusian.  The Cunetio Treasure database shows that of 19 hoards, which include 6019 Rome mint coins of Trebonianus' reign, there was only one of these but 68 coins of Volusian with this temple reverse.

RIC doesn't list this coin with a peacock left of Juno.

IVNONI MARTIALI  Juno seated front in round distyle temple, peacock at l.
36 IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. A rare reverse type for this reign, part of a special issue.
LIBERALITAS AVGG Liberalitas stg. l., holding abacus and cornucopiae
37 IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
LIBERTAS AVGG  Libertas stg. l., holding pileus and sceptre.
38  IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r., star in r. field  
LIBERTAS AVGG Libertas stg. l., holding pileus and sceptre, star in r. firld
39  IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
LIBERTAS AVGG Libertas stg. l., holding pileus and sceptre, leaning on column
40 IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. A rare first issue type with a historically significant meaning:  Gallus tries to put a good light on the peace that he bought from the Goths.

 The portrait is very odd - it appears to be Volusian though the legend is Gallus.  This coin shows a common feature of the period: worn reverse dies.  Mints were willing to let reverse dies become considerably worn before replacing them.
MARTI PACIFERO Mars running l., holdingbranch and spear
unlisted IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse of Aemilian RIC 6.
MARTI PROPVGT Mars stg. l., holding shield and spear
55 IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse normal to Volusian

  
PAX AVGG Pax stg. l., holding branch and transverse scepter
55n IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. The Pax reverse is considered by RIC to be proper  proper to Volusian (as RIC 55).  RIC notes this sub variation as RIC 55n.  The actual case is that the coins with the transverse scepter and upright scepter are not variations of the same issue but are completely separate issues.   The upright scepter type is normal to Gallus and is rare, whereas the transverse scepter type is normal to Volusian and common. See a full explanation on the PAX  page

Notice the split legend (and remains of gilding) on the bottom coin - this was part of a special issue that included the coins with PIVS obverse legends
PAX AVGG Pax stg. l., holding branch and upright scepter
56 IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse normal to Volusian

 
PAX AVGG Pax stg. l., holding branch and transverse scepter, star in r. field
41 IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
PIETAS AVGG  Pietas veiled, stg. l., raising both hands.
42  IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
PIETAS AVGG  Pietas veiled, stg. l., raising both hands, star in r. field
unlisted IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse normal to Volusian  
PIETAS AVGG SC  Pietas veiled, stg. l., raising both hands, altar left
43 IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. This 1st issue coin can be found with either AVG or AVGG on the reverse.  The AVGG type is more common.  This coin may come from the very short period before Hostilian is elevated to Augustus (or less likely, the period after Hostilian's death but before Volusian's elevation).
PROVIDENTIA AVG Providentia stg. l., holding transverse sceptre
44 IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
PROVIDENTIA AVGG Providentia stg. l., holding transverse sceptre
44n IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. RIC mentions in a note that a coin of this type, with an upright scepter, was present in the Dorchester Hoard. 4.8 grams.
PROVIDENTIA AVGG Providentia stg. l., holding transverse sceptre
63  IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. From Trebonianus' first issue.  There was only one of these out of all 6000+ Rome mint Trebonianus coins listed for 19 hoards in the "Cunetio Treasure."  RIC calls this a mule with the reverse of Philip but that is not the case. 
ROMAE AETERNAE  Roma std. l., holding Victory and spear: beside her, shield
45 IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. RIC lists this type under reverses normal to Gallus but it is actually only proper for Volusian.
SALVS AVGG   Salus stg. r., feeding snake from patera
46a IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Gallus issued two different types of coins with Salus, goddess of health, in addition to the coin referring to Apollo as "the healer."  This Salus type comes early in the reign so it is probably a generic type and not a reference to the plague.  Some have postulated that the coins with Juno Martialis might be calling  "to the warlike Juno" to fight the plague. 
SALVS AVGG  Salus stg. l., feeding snake coiled around altar and holding sceptre
46b GALLVS  PIVS AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Very rare short legend
SALVS AVGG  Salus stg. l., feeding snake coiled around altar and holding sceptre
47 IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. This variety with AVGVS in stead of AVGG is quite rare (R2 in RIC).  There are a few antoniniani of Gallus, including this reverse type, that have an extremely rare, short obverse legend "GALLVS PIVS AVG".  Other than the picture of a plate coin in RIC, I have never seen one of them (though I do have a Volsuian with PIVS legend on the Volusian Rome page).

 

Second example with what appears to be flaming altar.
SALVS AVGVS  Salus stg. l., feeding snake coiled around altar and holding sceptre
unlisted IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse of an Elagabalus denarius RIC 149 (odd, to say the least). Good silver. 
TEMPORVM FELICITAS Felicitas stg. l., holding long caduceus and cornucopiae
48a IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Since this coin dates to AD 253, it appears after Aemilian's victory (as a general under Gallus).  Ironically, this coin is probably used by Gallus to celebrate that victory which was the source of Gallus destruction.
VICTORIA AVGG   Victory stg. l., holding wreath and palm. 
48b GALLVS  PIVS AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Very rare short legend 
VICTORIA AVGG   Victory stg. l., holding wreath and palm. 
57 IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse normal to Volusian 
VIRTVS AVGG  Virtus stg. l., holding spear and leaning on shield
58 IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse normal to Volusian 
VIRTVS AVGG  Virtus stg. l., holding spear and leaning on shield.  Star in r. field
49 IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS  AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
VOTIS DECENNALIBVS in laurel wreath

 

Return to Four Bad Years

I welcome you to contact me at  marius1@sonic.net