| Valerian I, October 253 -c. June 260 A.D. |  |
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|   | The reverse composition is clearly based on sculpture. Placing the lyre atop a rock provided additional structural support for sculpture. Several Roman sculptures with a similar composition, with the lyre resting on a stump, have survived. |
| RP55002. Orichalcum sestertius, SRCV III 10008, RIC V 152, Cohen 22, aVF, weight 21.046 g, maximum diameter 29.2 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 255 - 258 A.D.; obverse IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right; reverse APOLINI CONSERVA S C, Apollo standing half-left, laurel-branch in right, resting left on lyre placed on small rock; $250.00 (€192.50) |
| Valerian I, October 253 - c. June 260 A.D., Thessalonica, Macedonia |  | The god Kabeiros is similar in appearance to Dionysos and the rites of his cult were likely similar to those of the Dionysian mysteries. The attributes of Kabeiros are a rhyton and hammer.
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| RP63719. Bronze AE 22, Varbanov III 4771, Lindgren 1252, SNG Cop 441, cf. SNG ANS 900 (Salonina), VF, weight 6.465 g, maximum diameter 21.9 mm, die axis 0o, Thessalonica mint, obverse AUT K POP OUALERIANOC, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right from behind; reverse QECCALONIKH B NE, Kabeiros standing within distyle temple, rhyton in right, hammer in left, altar at feet left, anvil(?) at feet right; rare; $200.00 (€154.00) |
|  | Saturn was an ancient Roman god of fertility, especially of agriculture and usually carries a sickle as his symbol. Saturn was worshiped in a winter festival called the Saturnalia and his name was/is used for the day of the week, Saturday. |
| RS47730. Billon antoninianus, SRCV III 9922 (Antioch), RIC V 210 (Viminacium), RSC IV 8, VF, weight 3.882 g, maximum diameter 22.5 mm, die axis 180o, Antioch mint, 254 - 255 A.D.; obverse IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse AETERNITATI AVGG, Saturn standing right, holding scythe; light toning over luster (better than the photo); scarce; $80.00 (€61.60) |
|  | This ironic reverse utterly failed to foresee Valerian's fate. In 260 A.D., after four years of great losses in battle and to plague, Valerian arranged for talks. He set off with a small group to discuss terms with the Sassanian (Parthian) Emperor Shapur but was never seen again. The date of his death is unknown. In Rome it was rumored that Shapur used his stuffed body as a footstool. |
| SH60331. Silver antoninianus, Göbl MIR 847d, cf. RIC V 262 (Milan), RSC 255, aVF, weight 3.630 g, maximum diameter 23.2 mm, die axis 180o, Viminacium mint, 3rd emission, 257 - 258 A.D.; obverse IMP VALERIANVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right; reverse VICT PART, Victory standing left, right rests on shield, palm in left, captive seated left at feet beside shield; ex CNG; very rare; $80.00 (€61.60) |
| Alexandria, Troas, c. 253 - 268 A.D. |  | Alexandria Troas was founded by Antigonus around 310 B.C. with the name Antigoneia. He populated his new city with the inhabitants of Cebren, Colone, Hamaxitus, Neandria, and Scepsis. About 301 B.C., Lysimachus improved the city and re-named it Alexandreia. |
| RP63415. Bronze AE 22, Bellinger Troy A490, cf. SNG Tübingen 2535, SNG München 61, SNGvA 7553, SNG Cop 114, BMC Troy 53, SNG Canakkale 546 (all legend variations), VF, nice reverse, weight 5.119 g, maximum diameter 20.8 mm, die axis 0po, Alexandreia mint, reigns of Valerian and Gallienus, c. 253 - 268; obverse AL-EXA TR, turreted bust of Tyche right, vexillum behind; reverse CO - A-VGO - TR, eagle with open wings standing right on forepart of a bull; scarce variety; $75.00 (€57.75) |
|  | In 253, Valerian split the Roman Empire in two; Gallienus took control of the West and his father ruled the East, facing the Persians. |
| RS57886. Silver antoninianus, Göbl MIR 1682e (Samosata), RIC V 294 (Antioch), SRCV III 9996 (uncertain Syrian mint, 255- 256), RSC IV 280, VF, weight 3.580 g, maximum diameter 23.0 mm, die axis 180o, Samosata mint, 253 A.D.; obverse IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse VOTA ORBIS, two Victories holding shield inscribed S C, palm tree behind; $65.00 (€50.05) |
|  | In 256, King Shapur I invaded Mesopotamia and Syria. He conquered and plundered Antioch. |
| BB57680. Billon antoninianus, Göbl MIR 1687e, SRCV III 9995 (uncertain Syrian mint), RIC V 293 (Antioch), Cohen 276, AHG 134, VF, weight 4.155 g, maximum diameter 20.9 mm, die axis 180o, Samosata mint, 255 - 256 A.D.; obverse IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse VIRTVS AVGG, Valerian and Gallienus standing facing; Valerian on left, scepter in right, globe in left; Gallienus on right offering Victory to Valerian, transverse spear in left; $60.00 (€46.20) |
|  | The obverse legend translates "fortunate century" but this was only wishful thinking and propaganda. The year before, in 253, Shapur I had defeated a Roman army of 70,000 men. When this coin was struck, Antioch was awaiting an inevitable attack against which they had little hope. In 256, Shapur captured and plundered Antioch. |
| RS58135. Silver antoninianus, RIC V 213, RSC IV 61, VF, toned, weight 3.918 g, maximum diameter 21.8 mm, die axis 0o, Antioch mint, 254 - 255 A.D.; obverse IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse FELICITAS SAECVLI, Diana standing right, lit torch transverse in both hands; $60.00 (€46.20) |
|  | RIC assigns this issue to Antioch but MIR gives the issue to a second Eastern mint located at Samosata.
Pietas in traditional Latin usage expressed a complex, highly valued Roman virtue; a man or woman with pietas respected his or her responsibilities to the gods, faimily, other people and entities (such as the state), and understood his or her place in society with respect to others. |
| RS40175. Billon antoninianus, RIC V 285 (Antioch), Göbl MIR 1699l (Samosata), VF, weight 3.655 g, maximum diameter 20.9 mm, die axis 0o, Antioch or Samosata mint, 255 - 256 A.D.; obverse IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse PIETAS AVGG, Valerian and Gallienus standing confronted, sacrificing over altar between them, each togate and holding short scepter, pellet in wreath above; $40.00 (€30.80) |
|  | An ironic reverse legend considering Valerian's fate.
RIC assigns this issue to Antioch but MIR gives the issue to a second Eastern mint located at Samosata. |
| RS40244. Billon antoninianus, Göbl MIR 1700l (Samosata), RIC V 287 (Antioch), SRCV III 9967 (uncertain Syrian mint), gVF, weight 3.614 g, maximum diameter 19.8 mm, die axis 0o, Syrian mint, 258 - 260 A.D.; obverse IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse RESTITVT ORIENTIS, turreted female (the Orient) presenting wreath to the Emperor standing left holding spear, pellet in wreath above; $40.00 (€30.80) |
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Obverse legends:
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