Antoninianus of Valerian - 1966.63

Acquisition number: 1966.63

Other images

Rev.: Valerian and Gallienus in military dress

Obv.: Bust of Valerianus r., radiate, draped, bearded. IMP(erator) C(aesar) P(ublius) LIC(inius) VALERIANVS AVG(ustus).

Rev.: The two emperors standing facing each other in military dress, the left one with a spear (sceptre?) in right hand and a globe in the left, the right one with a Victory in right hand and a spear in left. VIRTVS AVGG( = Augustorum).

Title: Antoninianus of Valerian - 1966.63

Acquisition number: 1966.63

Author or editor: Beryl Rawson

Culture or period: Roman Imperial

Date: AD 253-254

Material: Metal - Copper-silver alloy

Object type: Coins - Roman

Dimensions: 22mm (w)

Origin region or location: Türkiye

Origin city: Antioch

Display case or on loan: 7

Keywords: Coin, antoninianus, Roman, Imperial, Valerian, Gallienus, Victory, Syria (Roman province), Antioch, Roman Syria

Mattingly, H., E.A. Sydenham, C.H. Sutherland, R.A. Carson, The Roman Imperial Coinage 13 vols (London,  Spink, 1923-1994) V Part 1 293; Robertson, A. Roman Imperial Coins in the Hunter Coin Cabinet, University of Glasgow 5 vols (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1962-1982) IV 11 no. 76 and pl. 3; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) IV 276; see Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 9995.

1966.63

Antoninianus of Valerian

3.890 g. AD 253-254

Obv.: Bust of Valerianus r., radiate, draped, bearded. IMP(erator) C(aesar) P(ublius) LIC(inius) VALERIANVS AVG(ustus).

Rev.: The two emperors standing facing each other in military dress, the left one with a spear (sceptre?) in right hand and a globe in the left, the right one with a Victory in right hand and a spear in left. VIRTVS AVGG( = Augustorum).

Valerian became emperor in AD 253 after a bout of civil war, and made his son Gallienus fellow emperor. Hence the plural‘AVGG. ’ on the reverse: ‘virtue/valour of the emperors’. Valerian took responsibility for the Eastern frontier, and this coin was probably struck at the mint in Antioch. He was captured by the Persians in AD 259 and died in captivity in 260.

The long obverse legend is characteristic of earlier coins of the reign.

Mattingly, H., E.A. Sydenham, C.H. Sutherland, R.A. Carson, The Roman Imperial Coinage 13 vols (London,  Spink, 1923-1994) V Part 1 293; Robertson, A. Roman Imperial Coins in the Hunter Coin Cabinet, University of Glasgow 5 vols (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1962-1982) IV 11 no. 76 and pl. 3; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) IV 276; see Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 9995.