Valerian I AD 252-260 AE31, 19.89g, of Mallos, Cilicia.

obv. IMP C LIC VALERIANVS PI FE AVG (latin), bust, cuirassed, 
 laureate, r.
rev. MALLO COLONIA (latin) Amphilochos, naked except chlamys, stg. l., 
 holding laurel branch, boar stg.  l. below. Behind him tripod on 
 podium with globe above, snake winding around.  S C in exergue

SNG Levante 1298 (same obv. die); SNG France 1933 (same obv. die); 
BMC 13; SGIC 4498

Rare (only 13 coins of Valerian's time known!), 
about VF, light roughness, small casting spots (from making)

MALLOS was one of the oldest cities in Cilicia. The hero AMPHILOCHOS is 
 said to be the founder. He was fighting before in Thebes and Troy. 
 He and his brother Mopsus were the most famous seers in Greece. They 
 decided to rule Mallos alternately. Mopsus was first. But when he 
 should give the rule to Amphilochos it came to a deadly duel where 
 both were killed. After their death their souls got along peacefully 
 and temples were built to celebrate them. The oracle of Mallos was 
 said to be more real than that of Delphi!

Under Severus Alexander Mallos became a Roman Colonia. Therefore the 
 Latin inscriptions.


Contributed by Hans-Joachim, August, 2005.