OMG, it's not a tetradradchm! Here is a fairly scarce Valerian I that I got for a few dollars about 2 months ago. This reverse type isn't often seen with him, even though its a "standing god" type. Valerian I (253 - 260 A.D.) AR Antoninianus O: IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG, radiate and draped bust right. R: FORTVNA REDVX, Mercury standing left, holding purse and caduceus Antioch Mint, 254 - 255 A.D. 21mm 3.98g RIC V 214; MIR 36, 1561a; RSC 75
Interesting to see the FORVNA REDVX legend paired with Mercury. I was not aware of such a variety. I suppose it makes abundant sense: if Mercury comes knocking at your door with health and wealth, your fortune has indeed returned.
No tetradrachm, no congrats. j.k. Really neat coin, I never knew what an Antoninianus was. Had to google it.
I am not saying you are wrong but what makes you identify this type as 'fairly scarce'? RIC codes it as S but they code a lot of coins as S. Is there another reference covering this period that you consider worth believing? One thing is certain. Yours is better than mine. I can not recall why I bought it but I often buy coins that mystify me in that regard an hour later.
Cool OP addition, Mat (congrats) Ummm, this is my only example of Val-I ... RARE WITH TWO VICTORIES HOLDING SHEILD ... yah, I figured I'd toss that lil' extra in just for fun
Nice coin, Steve. More of an assumption seeing as I didn't find tons of them online like other reverses, like my Sol example. Wasn't many with this Mercury reverse.
Way cool @Mat , great find of this scarce reverse! One of my Valerian I RI Valerian I 253-260 CE AE 20mm Alexandria Troas mint Horse Grazing Here is the guy who CAPTURED Valerian I... and threw the Empire into a tizzy... Sassanian Shapur I 240-272 CE AE Tetradrachm 10.78g 27mm Ctesiphon mint phase 1a mural crown korymbos - fire altar type 2 SNS IIa1-1a
Valerian with gold toning. Valerian Antoninianus, 254-255 AD. Diana Obv: IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG, Radiate, draped bust right. Rev: FELICITAS SAECVLI. Diana advancing right, holding torch with two hands.
Nice one Mat!!! Nice AR surfaces and detail for a coin of this era! Here is his son Gallienus with Mercury, purse in hand Rx.
I have a scarce if not rare Valerian I recently acquired at auction, Cilicia, Mopsouestia-Mopsus, River god Pyramus, holding cornucopia, reclining left on a bridge consisting of five arches; triumphal arch at left and right. 14.43gm, 31mm, SNG 1998, below I have a pic of the bridge on the coin as it is today.
What a deal! Nice portrait too. Not sure I've ever seen one of those, @stevex6. Cool reverse type. I like this one for the irony, "Restorer of the East" har har. (Samosata mint.)
Thanks, Sev-Alex ... yah, I love that coin as well Ummm, I don't think that it's quite as rare/scarce as my seller claimed, but there are only a handful of examples on the CNG database ... https://cngcoins.com/Search.aspx?PAGE_NUM=&PAGE=1&TABS_TYPE=2&CONTAINER_TYPE_ID=1&IS_ADVANCED=1&ITEM_DESC=valerian I two victories&ITEM_IS_SOLD=1&SEARCH_IN_CONTAINER_TYPE_ID_1=1&SEARCH_IN_CONTAINER_TYPE_ID_3=1&SEARCH_IN_CONTAINER_TYPE_ID_2=1 Oh, and for once I didn't spend quite as much as the CNG dudes ... I scored my winner for $66 (delivered)
common denarius of Valerianus: And an Antoninius which I can't find online, I think its Juno with her peacock ? any suggestions ?