Valerian I Roman Imperial Coin

256-258 AD

Valerian I was a Roman emperor from 253 to spring 260 AD.

He persecuted Christians and was later taken captive by the Persian emperor Shapur I after the Battle of Edessa, becoming the first Roman emperor to be captured as a prisoner of war, causing shock and instability throughout the Roman Empire.

Observe - IMPCPLICVALERIANVSAVG - Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.

Reverse - VIRTVSAVGG - Valerian I and Gallienus standing, facing each other; emperor on left holding scepter and globe and one on right holding Victory and spear. 253-254 (Antioch)

Roman billon coins

This term is applied to coins of silver mixed with much copper alloy, or to copper with a small alloy of silver.

From the reign of Gallienus to that of Claudius II (ad 253 to 270), almost all the coins were made of billon.