VALERIAN I, AD 253-260

     Valerian, father of the Emperor Gallienus, was a senior government official when in AD 253 he was called to
     lead an army to aid Trebonianus Gallus in fending off the revolt of Aemilian. When Gallus was killed by his own
     troups, Valerian's troops proclaimed him Emperor, then march to Italy where they defeated Volusian. In AD
     260, Valerian was captured by the Sassanians (lead by Shapur II) who held him in captivity for the rest of his
     life.





                                  obverse enlargement       reverse enlargement

 344.Bronze sestertius, RIC-184. Obverse : Bust of Valerian right, with "IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS P AVG" around.
     Reverse : "VOTIS DECENNA LIBVS S C" in four lines withing a wreath. Well-struck and well-centred with a nice
     portrait of Valerian. The coin was at some time cleaned to bare metal and re-toned, but is still above average for this
     issue. Rome AD 253. 26.8 x 29.2 mm. 18.81 grams. ........ gVF   $495.00 

     This type was issued in AD 253 and records his decennial and popular vows on his accession to the throne.
     Because the types was issued jointly with Gallienus, it has to have been issued at the point where he was
     officially recognized by the Senate, rather than when his troups proclaimed him Emperor. This is a relatively
     rare.