Roman Sestertius Coins

Inv. No.: c137
Date: A.D. 254(?)-268(?) (Hayes).
Weight: 20.66g
 
Obv.: Gallienus(?), laureate.
…NE…

Rev.: Centaur, holding bow.

The centaur holding bow and arrow was a common type on Gallienus reverses. The centaur Chiron was numbered among the stars as the constellation Sagittarius, the archer. In this role he was the tutor of Apollo and Diana, and the type is sometimes accompanied by the legend APOLLINI CONS[ERVATORI] AVG.,“to Apollo, protector of the Augustus”.

Sometimes the type was the accompanying mark of a legion, e.g. LEG.II PART[HICAE]. As the Parthians were extremely skilful archers, such a legion would presumably have been similarly gifted.