Valerian I AD 253-260 Silver Antoninianus Viminacium

Valerian AD 253-260 Silver Antoninianus

Salus feeding snake over altar

Viminacium mint

RCV9974; 21mm, 3.27g

Comes with previous handwritten label

 

Born at the end of the 2nd century Valerian was from a distinguished Roman family and had wide experience both as an administrator and a general. He held a consulship under Severus Alexander and was placed in charge of Rome during the absence of Trajan Decius. In AD 253 he was placed in command of the Rhine from where he was summoned to assist Trebonianus Gallus against the usurper Aemilian. Too late to prevent the overthrow of Gallus he continued to Rome when Aemilian was murdered by his own troops.
Upon entering Rome Valerian was proclaimed emperor and his son Gallienus was also nominated as co emperor. Valerian took responsibility for the eastern provinces which by then were under threat from both the Goths as well as the Sasanids under Sharpur. Disaster struck in AD 260 when Valerian found his army weakened by plague. When he tried to arrange a peace with Shapur he was kidnapped and carried off to Persia and captivity. How long he survived is not known however before he died he was humiliated and is alleged to being forced to kneel and be used as a mounting block by Shapur.
Valerian’s reign saw a severe decline in the quality of the imperial coinage as well as a proliferation of provincial mints.