Valerian I

Valerian I was a Roman emperor from 253 to spring 260 AD. He persecuted Christians and was later taken captive by the Persian emperor Shapur I after the Battle of Edessa, becoming the first Roman emperor to be captured as a prisoner of war, causing shock and instability throughout the Roman Empire.

Weight: 2.71g

MINTED: Antioch mint, AD 258-260

REF: RIC 287 (Antioch); AHG 115 (this coin); Göbl MIR 1700a (Samosata)

OBVERSE: IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.

REVERSE: RESTITVT ORIENTIS, turreted female (the Orient) standing right presenting wreath to the Emperor who is standing half left and holding spear.

Roman bullion coins

This term is applied to coins of silver mixed with much copper alloy, or to copper with a small alloy of silver.

From the reign of Gallienus to that of Claudius II (ad 253 to 270), almost all the coins were made of bullion.