Roman Empire Valerian 1 Antoninianus

History

1 Antoninianus 256-257 AD, RIC# 128, Roman Empire, Valerian

Obverse. Photo © CoinArchives

Description

Valerian (Publius Licinius Valerianus Augustus), also known as Valerian the Elder, was Roman Emperor from 253 to 260 AD. He was taken captive by Sassanian Persian king 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 Empire.

The Antoninianus, or radiate, was a coin used during the Roman Empire thought to have been valued at 2 denarii. It was initially silver, but was slowly debased to bronze with a minimal silver content.

Obverse	Person (king, queen, tsar etc.) Valerian Head of Valerian, laureate, right, in a crown. IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS PF AVG (Imperator C Publius Licinius Valerianus Pius Felix Augustus) IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS PF AVG
Reverse	Deity (god, goddess etc.) Victoria Military Shield Tree, flower, plant etc. Palm Victoria standing left resting on shield and holding palm. Victoria, in ancient Roman religion, was the personified goddess of victory. She is the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Nike, and was associated with Bellona. VICTORIA AVGG (VICTORIA Duo Augusti, Victoria for the two Emperors) VICTORIA AVGG
Edge	-