VALERIAN AD 253-360 Billon Antoninianus. 2.76g, 21.7mm MINTED: Mediolanum (Milan) mint, AD 257 REF: RIC 266; Cohen 257; MIR36, 794d OBVERSE: IMP P LIC VALERIANO AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. REVERSE: VIRTVS AVGG, Mars standing left, holding Victory in right hand and a spear in the left hand, at his feet a shield.

Grade/Notes:

Very Fine. Good metal.

Historical Notes:

Emperor Valerian was a senator with an illustrious career prior to his ascending the throne in 253.  He ruled together with his son Gallienus at a time when the Empire was facing onslaughts on many fronts.  In 260, an army he led against the Persians was defeated and he was treacherously taken captive while attending a peace parley.  He was then held captive at the court of the Persian king, Shapur the Great, and treated as a slave for many years.  Shapur eventually tired of his royal captive and had him flayed alive.  His skin was stuffed with straw and kept as a gruesome trophy.