IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS P F AVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Valerian Senior right, seen from front / FELICITAS AVGG - Felicitas standing left, diademed and wearing tunica and palla, holding long caduceus in right and cornucopia in left hand, S C in exergue Sestertius, Rome ca. 255-258 16,46 gr / 29,43 mm RIC 157, Cohen 58, Sear 10011, Banti 8 corr. (3 specimens) This Sestertius from the time of the ultimate decline of the Roman large bronze currency is far from being perfect but for my preferences and budget nevertheless seemed impossible to improve for an AE coin of this ruler due to it´s combination of a round flan, decent portrait, and the absence to too much dark patina (it shows that Sestertii were made of reddish copper instead of yellowish brass by the mid 3rd century). Because I decided that this will be a keeper for my portrait gallery I even had it certified by Sear which I otherwise only do with my rare, expensive, or higher grade coins. As I am lazy today and can´t add anything to his writeup, I´ll share it here: Born in the final decade of the 2nd century, Publius Licinius Valerianus came to the throne in the autumn of AD 253 as the avenger of the Emperor Trebonianus Gallus. Valerian, a highly respected aristocrat who had held the consulship during the reign of Severus Alexander, was in command of the legions on the Upper Rhine when he received a summons from Gallus to come to his assistance against a rival emperor, Aemilian. Valerian arrived in Italy too late to save Gallus but he quickly disposed of Aemilian and was confirmed as emperor by the Senate. Soon afterwards, he elevated his son Gallienus to the rank of co-emperor. The joint reign of Valerian and Gallienus was troubled by numerous frontier wars and foreign invasions and was a prelude to the fragmentation of the Empire which threatened the very survival of the state in the following decade. Valerian himself was actually taken prisoner by the Persian king Shapur during the course of an invasion of Mesopotamia in AD 260: he seems to have spent the remainder of his life in miserable captivity. The imperial capital was gradually losing its position of preeminence in supplying the currency needs of the Empire and provincial minting centers began playing an increasingly important role at this time, though aes, such as this sestertius, continued to be produced almost exclusively by the mint of Rome. However, the monetary system introduced by Augustus two and a half centuries before was not destined to survive the financial crisis which was about to engulf the Roman state during the sole reign of Valerian's son, Gallienus. The reverse type of Felicitas, the goddess who personified happiness, could hardly have been less appropriate at this time of cataclysmic upheaval for the Empire. Doubtless, it was intended as an expression of optimistic hope for a more settled and secure future. Let´s see your Valerians, especially Sestertii!
This is indeed an excellent portrait of the hapless emperor - naturally, we don't know if it's lifelike, but as a work of art it is excellent, compared with other portraits of Valerian.
Don't have a sestertius, but this is a large bronze from Seleucia ad Calycadnum in Cilicia with a surly and coarse portrait. AE35 Valerianus I (253-260). Cilicia, Seleucia ad Calycadnum. Obv.: Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev.: Draped bust of Apollo right, laurel branch before, vis-à-vis laureate and draped bust of Artemis-Tyche left, cornucopiae behind. 35 mm, 18.51 gr.
Happy to share mine: Valerian I, AE sestertius, (17.71g), IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG Laureate, cuirassed bust right / VICTORIA AVGG, S-C, Victory standing left, holding wreath and palm. RIC 177; Sear 10022
Thanks for sharing your Valerians! Indeed it is! Impossible to find in that state of preservation on a Sestertius of his... Now that is the size of a Double Sestertius!!! :-D Nice to have! That Victoria reverse is every little bit as ironic as the Felicitas on my coin considering Valerian´s luck. By the way I just read this book which is as far as I know the only existing monograph on Valerian. It comes to the conclusion that he actually was a quite able administrator who would have been remembered as a good emperor had he not had the bad fortune to rule at the time he did (plague, revolts, Persians etc).
Nice sestertius JG! Lots of detail remaining. Much more than my $5 dollar pick up. I experimented using a black light to confirm the attribution.
Stellar example of this extremely tough emperor in bronze! I have an interest in 3rd century middle bronzes, but this is the best I've managed to do for Valerian : Æ As, APOLINI CONSERVA , Apollo standing left, holding laurel-branch and lyre on rock. RIC 190. Luckily I can satisfy my desire for a portrait with an ant:
