Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted August 17 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted August 17 (edited) Valerian I (AD 253-260) Ӕ Sestertius, Size: 27.61 mm Weight 16.99 grams Date: 255-256 C.E. Obverse: IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS P F AVG, laureate and draped bust right Reverse: VICTORIA GERM (ANICA), Victory standing left, holding wreath and palm; captive at feet; S C across field Reference: RIC Vi 181 Rome Please post your Valerians! ex-Marc Breitsprecher August 17th, 2024 Edited August 17 by Ancient Coin Hunter 19 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expat Posted August 17 · Supporter Share Posted August 17 I like the squared off flans on some sestertii. Nice pick up. I only have one Valerian I coin but it is an antoninianus Valerian I, Billon antoninianus, 253 AD. Antioch or Samosata mint IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right / VOTA ORBIS, two Victories holding shield inscribed S C, palm tree behind. RIC V-I 294; Goebl 1682e Samosata; Sear 9966. Weight: 3,4gr, 24.7mm. 13 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted August 17 · Member Share Posted August 17 Valerian sestertii are not easy to find. The coin pictured below is the closest Valerian bronze to a sestertius in my collection ☺️. CILICIA, Corycus. Valerian I, AD 253-260. AE Octassarion: 23.48 gm, 23.48 gm, 6 h. Obverse: Radiate, draped & cuirassed bust of Valerian. Reverse: Dionysus wearing nebris, holding thyrsus & wine skin over a panther; to left, inscribed bowl holding caduceus, palm branch, & aplustre, placed on a three legged table. SNG Levante 819 (same dies); SNG von Aulock 5686. Ex MDA Collection; Ex CNG 112, lot 128, April 13, 2005. 9 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotwheelsearl Posted August 17 · Member Share Posted August 17 1 hour ago, expat said: I like the squared off flans on some sestertii. Nice pick up. Some of them do indeed get pretty square! No Valerian sestertii for me either. Best I can do is a large provincial from Anazarbus. I do like how many Valerian provincials have those cool (and groovy) prize crowns. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted August 17 · Benefactor Author Benefactor Share Posted August 17 The squared off flans were a mid third century specialty for some reason on sestertii. I'd like to see some research on the topic if there is any. Of course after Valerian and Gallienus the denomination disappears. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotwheelsearl Posted August 17 · Member Share Posted August 17 21 minutes ago, Ancient Coin Hunter said: The squared off flans were a mid third century specialty for some reason on sestertii. I'd like to see some research on the topic if there is any. Of course after Valerian and Gallienus the denomination disappears. I have no idea how or why they are square. I imagine that the most reasonable answer is that, since most of them are not UNIFORMLY square, a circular flan was prepared and then shaved off at one or two edges to get the weight in check. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Victor_Clark Posted August 18 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted August 18 The [prevailing] theory is that the flans were cast in long strips and then separated. something like this, without being struck yet. evidence of this from different coin types 9 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayAg47 Posted August 18 · Member Share Posted August 18 Here's my chipped Valerian with an interesting reverse. Valerian I Seleucia ad Calycadnum Obv. laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Valerian, Α Κ ΠΟ ΛΙΚΙΝ ΟΥΑΛƐΡΙΑΝΟϹ Rev. Athena Promachos l. spearing at anguiped Enceladus who raises hands in resistance- ϹƐΛΕΥΚƐΩΝ ΤΩΝ Π[ ]ΚΛΥ(?) 253-260 AD 6.3 g SNG 1059 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor DonnaML Posted August 18 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted August 18 These sestertii also look rather squared off, although I'm surprised to see that occur as early as Commodus. Commodus: Philip I: Philip II: As for Valerian I, here are my only two Imperials: Valerian I, Billon Antoninianus, AD 255-256 [Sear RCV III p. 269], Antioch Mint [or, “uncertain Syrian mint”; see id.], or Samosata Mint (Göbl) [city on the Euphrates, capital of Commagene, now submerged by Ataturk Dam, Samsat, Sanliurfa, Turkey]. Obv. Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG / Rev. Two Victories affixing shield inscribed S•C to palm tree between them, VOTA ORBIS. RIC V.1 294, RSC IV 280 var. [no cuirass on RSC coin], Sear RCV III 9996 (ill. p. 269); Göbl MIR 1682e [R. Göbl et al., Moneta Imperii Romani, Band 35: Die Münzprägung des Kaiser Valerianus I / Gallienus / Saloninus / (253/268), etc. (Vienna, 2000)]. Purchased from Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 98, 16 Jun 2022, Lot 1411. Valerian I, Silvered Billon Antoninianus, 257 AD [Göbl: 253/254 AD], Mediolanum [Milan] Mint [RIC, RSC] or Viminacium Mint [Sear, Göbl] [Viminacium was the capital of Moesia Superior and was located in what is now Eastern Serbia near Kostolac.]. Obv. Radiate, draped bust right, IMP VALERIANVS P AVG/ Rev. Virtus standing left, chiton off right shoulder (leaving right breast bare), holding Victory with right hand and resting left hand on shield, with reversed spear propped against left arm, VIRTVS AVGG. RIC V-1 267 (Milan) (p. 58) obv. leg. var.* [RIC identifies reverse figure as a soldier; Wildwinds identifies reverse figure on RIC 267 as Virtus (see http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/valerian_I/i.html)]; Cohen 258 obv. leg. var. [Cohen identifies figure as Virtus or Roma], RSC IV 258 (Milan) obv. leg. var. [identifying reverse figure as soldier]; Sear RCV III 9992 obv. leg.var. [identifying reverse figure as Virtus, but characterizing Virtus as male; ascribed to Viminacium Mint for unstated reasons] (ill.); Göbl 811d (same obv. leg.) [identifying reverse figure as Virtus; Viminacium mint] [R. Göbl et al., Moneta Imperii Romani, Band 35: Die Münzprägung des Kaiser Valerianus I / Gallienus / Saloninus / (253/268), Regalianus (260) und Macrianus / Quietus (260/262) (Vienna, 2000)]; Cunetio 770 (same obv. leg.) [identifying reverse figure as Virtus] [Besly, E. & R. Bland, The Cunetio Treasure: Roman Coinage of the Third Century AD (London, 1983)]; Adeilson Nogueira, Valeriano, Na Numismatica Romana (Brazil, 2018) at p. 11 (see https://tinyurl.com/qpb659c) [identifying reverse figure as Virtus]; Chalfont hoard 328 [R. Bland, ed., The Chalfont Hoard and Other Roman Coin Hoards, Coin Hoards from Roman Britain IX (London, 1992)]; Stevenage hoard 529 [A.M. Burnett & R.F. Bland, eds., Coin Hoards from Roman Britain: The Normanby Hoard and Other Roman Coin Hoards, CHRB VIII (London, 1988) at pp. 43-73]. 22.5 mm., 3.4 g. * RIC, RSC, Cohen, and Sear all identify the obverse legend on this coin type as IMP P LIC VALERIANO AVG rather than IMP VALERIANVS P AVG; the coins appear to be otherwise identical to this one. None of them lists a Valerian antoninianus with the IMP VALERIANVS P AVG obverse legend and a reverse with the VIRTVS AVG [RIC V-1 266] or VIRTVS AVGG [RIC V-1 267] legend, as well as the reverse figure -- however identified -- with spear and shield and holding Victory. Plus one Roman Alexandrian tetradrachm: Valerian I, Billon Tetradrachm, AD 256-257 (Year 4), Alexandria, Egypt mint. Obv. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, wearing aegis, seen from front, Α Κ Π ΛΙ ΟΥΑΛ - ΕΡΙΑΝΟϹ ΕΥ ΕΥϹ / Rev. Homonoia [equivalent to Concordia] standing left, wearing long chiton and peplos, raising right hand and holding double cornucopiae in left; L - Δ [Delta] [Year 4] across fields, with Δ placed higher than L. RPC [Roman Provincial Coinage] X Online — (unassigned; ID 75341) [see https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/type/75341 ]; Emmett 3711.4 (p. 187); BMC 16 Alexandria 2128 (p. 279); Milne 3923 (p. 94); K & G 88.25 (ill. p. 313) [Kampmann, Ursula & Ganschow, Thomas, Die Münzen der römischen Münzstätte Alexandria (2008)]; Curtis 1513 (p. 109) [James W. Curtis, The Tetradrachms of Roman Egypt (1969)]; Förschner 1033-1034 [both same type] (ill. p. 327) [Förschner, Gisela, Die Münzen der Römischen Kaiser in Alexandrien, Historisches Museum Frankfurt (1987)]; Kellner Teil 14 Abb. 25 (p. 44, ill. p. 131) (specimen with error omitting “o” in Valerianos) [Wendelin Kellner, Die Münzstätte Alexandria in Ägypten (2009)]; Dattari 5158 (p. 347) [Dattari, Giovanni, Monete imperiali greche, Numi Augg. Alexandrini, Catalogo della collezione (Cairo 1901)]. 22.00 mm., 10.36 g. Purchased from Naville Numismatics, Ltd., London, UK, Auction 90, 23 Jun 2024, Lot 399; from the "Tenby Collection" (otherwise unidentified). 6 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qcumbor Posted August 18 · Supporter Share Posted August 18 Cool valerians. The few I have myself : antoninianus, sestertius and as Q 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted August 18 · Patron Share Posted August 18 Here's my favorite Valerian, a DEO VOLKANO: Valerian I, AD 253-260. Roman AR antoninianus, 2.69 g, 21.2 mm, 7 h. Colonia Agrippina (Cologne) mint, AD 259-260. Obv: VALERIANVS·P·F·AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev: DEO VOLKANO, Vulcan standing left within tetrastyle temple, hammer raised in right hand, tongs downward in left. Refs: RIC 5 (inaccurately attributed to the Lugdunum mint); Cohen 2 (inaccurately attributed to Valerian II); RSC 50c; Göbl 884d; Hunter IV 56; RCV 9934. As to squarish flans, my earliest is a sestertius of Marcus Aurelius. Marcus Aurelius, 161-180 CE. Roman orichalcum sestertius, 24.15 g, 31.0 mm, 11 h. Rome, 166-167 CE. Obv: M ANTONINVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX, head of Marcus Aurelius, laureate, right. Rev: TR POT XXI IMP IIII COS III S C, Victory advancing left, holding wreath in right hand and palm in left hand over left shoulder. Refs: RIC 948; BMCRE 1318-20; Cohen 815; RCV 5011; MIR 151-6/30. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMonkeySwag96 Posted August 19 · Member Share Posted August 19 Roman Empire, Valerian 253-260, Base Silver Antoninianus 2.81g, 20mm Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Valerian right. "IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG" Jupiter standing, head left, holding a thunderbolt and scepter. "IOVI CONSERVATORI" RSC 94 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted August 19 · Benefactor Author Benefactor Share Posted August 19 (edited) Neat Valerians all. It seems like during his reign the silver quantity dropped precipitously (and Gallienus). Hence there was no way an Antoninianus could be tariffed at 8 (or even 4 sestertii). It seems like after his capture the bullion was absconded with by the Macriani and Quietus leaving Gallienus with no choice but to strike millions of AE Antoniniani. Edit: I just realized that with the loss of the West to Postumus the bullion in that part of the empire also was misplaced, consider Postumus' striking of good silver well into the 260's whereas Gallienus had lost the treasure of both east and west. Edited August 21 by Ancient Coin Hunter 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted August 24 · Benefactor Author Benefactor Share Posted August 24 (edited) The coin arrived in the mail today. Here is my snap on a marble background. Edited August 24 by Ancient Coin Hunter 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tejas Posted August 27 · Member Share Posted August 27 Ihave about 35 Valerian I Antoniniae, and the one below is one of my favorites. The coin shows a particularly fine bust and it is attributed to the mint of Viminacium. Viminacium was the capital of Moesia Superior and a major military camp on the frontier. Note also the scarcer obverse legend with VALERIANO. Valerian I, 253 - 260 Obv.: IMP P LIC VALERIANO AVG Rev.: FIDES MILITVM Mint: Viminacium Year: AD 253 Weight: 4.06 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted August 27 · Benefactor Author Benefactor Share Posted August 27 (edited) @Tejas that's one of the nicest antoniniani of Valerian I have yet seen! Edited August 27 by Ancient Coin Hunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alegandron Posted September 1 · Supporter Share Posted September 1 VALERIAN I Provincial RI Valerian I 253-260 CE AE 20mm Alexandria Troas mint Horse Grazing Valerian's BUDDY! SHAPUR I Sasanian Shapur I 240-272 CE AE Tetradrachm 10.78g 27mm Ctesiphon mint phase 1a mural crown korymbos - fire altar type 2 SNS IIa1-1a 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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