Here's an extreme
rarity I picked up at that online
caveat emptor auction site:
Valerian IIObv: P [L KO]R OUALERIANOC K,
radiate and draped
bust right (I cannot tell if it's also
cuirassed or not)
Rev: NIK/AIE/W-N, three standards topped with wreathes
3.16 g, 18.06 mm
Rec Gen (p. 510, #866) has a similar coin described as:
Saloninus (?) or
Valerian IIObv: P L KOR OUALERIANOC,
radiate and draped
bust right
Rev: NIKAIEWN,
legionary eagle between two standards
AE 17 (
Rec Gen does not list the
legend breaks, but the plate coin has the same breaks)
The differences between my coin and the
Rec Gen listing are the extra K at the end of the
obverse legend and the wreathed variation of the
reverse standards.
There is one other known
Valerian II type from Nicaea, with Hipparchus seated
reverse (
SNG von Aulock 7097), picture attached, which uses the same
obverse legend as on my coin.
Rec Gen says "
Saloninus (?) or
Valerian II" but I think we can now safely say that the two "three
standard"
reverse types must come from Valerian Jr as well, and we can safely say (for now) that there are no known coins of
Saloninus from Nicaea.
I know it's just another boring three standards
type to most of you, but I'm tickled
pink! If anyone knows of other
Saloninus or
Valerian II coins from Nicaea please post them. Also, if anyone has a photo of the
Rec Gen specimen (RG 866) I would love to see it too...the plate coin photo isn't great in my copy.
Tom