Roman Empire – Emperor Valerian (Valerianus) 253-260 CE – Bronze Antoninianus Coin

Roman Empire, Emperor Valerian (Valerianus), r. 253-260 CE, Denomination: Antoninianus, Composition: Bronze, Weight: 3.28 grams, Diameter: 20.23 mm, about very fine, + extremely scarce.

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

Reverse: RESTITVT ORIENTIS, turreted female (the Orient) presenting wreath to the Emperor standing left holding spear

Publius Licinius Valerianus became Roman Emperor in September 253 CE, during a chaotic period known as the “Crisis of the Third Century.”  To strengthen the throne, he appointed his son Gallienus as co-emperor, giving Gallienus control of the Western empire while Valerian dealt with the Persian threat in the East.

Valerian managed to reconquer provinces such as Syria and Antioch by 257, but from 259 onwards his fortunes declined.  In 260, during the Battle of Edessa, he was defeated by the Persian king Shapur I and became the first Roman emperor to be captured in battle.  Valerian spent his remaining years in captivity; his exact fate remains uncertain, though some ancient sources claim he died in Persian custody.