The perpetual search for a great portrait of Valerian

As per the title I am always on the lookout for great portraits of Valerian.. when I say great - I sorta mean "good" - as they are usually terrible. It was a dark, dark time.

I posted this thread in 2019.. its still one of my favorites:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/valerian-an-epic-story-mostly-lost-to-history.333286/

and I have really made no progress since. I just have two poor coins of the fellow but even when I look at very expensive coins (that I could never afford) I am rarely impressed with the portraiture ....





Perhaps some members here have been more successful? I would love to live through your coin acquisitions.. please share any portrait coins of Valerian!!

 

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Maybe the guy was just plain ugly.


Valerian I, AD 253-260.
Roman AR antoninianus, 2.75 g, 20 mm, 7 h.
Uncertain Eastern mint, 2nd emission, AD 256-260.
Obv: IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS·P·F·AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front.
Rev: PIETAS AVGG, Valerian, holding eagle-tipped scepter, and Gallienus, holding parazonium, standing facing each other, sacrificing over lighted altar between them.
Refs: RIC 285; Göbl 1684e; Cohen/RSC 152; RCV 9955; Hunter 73.
Notes: The ANS attributes this issue to Cyzicus, Göbl to Samosata, and RIC to Antioch. According to the introduction of RIC volume V, during Valerian's reign, some coins minted in Asia cannot certainly be attributed to either Antioch or Cyzicus (p.22-26). RIC dates this issue to AD 255-56.

 

Well that is an excellent coin! Wow... - and great portrait (relatively speaking).. he may have just been an unphotogenic, old grump .. sorta like me!

 

I think this portrait is quite attractive. Really neat reverse as well.

 

True.
I've found myself in search of a decent portrait of Valerian's for decades
The best I could find is that one


Rome mint, AD 253-255
IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
FIDES MILITVM, Fides Militum standing left, holding two standards
3.66 gr
Ref : RCV # 9938(45), Cohen # 65

The former one, not as good by far


Rome mint, AD 255-258
IMP VALERIANVS PF AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
FELICITAS AVGG, Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and cornucopia
4.84 gr

Q

 

Valerian Antoninianus, 254-255 AD. Diana Lucifera
Obv: IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG, Radiate, draped bust right.
Rev: FELICITAS SAECVLI. Diana Lucifera draped walking to the right, holding a lit torch in both hands; the head surmounted by a crescent moon.



Phoenicia, Berytos. Valerian AE30. Astarte
Obv: IMP CP LIC VALERIANVS AVG, Radiate bust right.
Rev: COL IVL AVG FEL BER, Astarte standing front with head right, left foot on prow, holding standard in right hand and aphlastron in left, raising robe. To right Nike on column, crowning her.
30mm and 15.3g.

 

Actually, I think that's an excellent portrait. It's very lifelike and expressive--I can imagine this expression on his face when he first saw all Shapur's henchmen come out of hiding and surround him.

Here's my best:

Antioch mint, A.D. 253
Obv: IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG
Rev: PIETAS AVGG - Two emperors, emperor at left sacrificing at altar with patera, emperor at right, sword on belt, holding eagle-tipped scepter
RIC 284
24 x 22 mm, 3.5g.

 

Valerianus?

 

Trajan Decius. VBERITAS reverse type.

 

Yep, my Valerians all feature typical, crude portraits. The best by far is this, my only sestertius of this ruler:


Valerian Æ Sestertius
(255-258 A.D.)
Rome Mint
IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS PF AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right / FELICITAS AVGG, SC, Felicitas standing left, holding long caduceus in right hand and cornucopiae in left.
RIC 157; Sear 10011.
(15.09 grams / 26 mm)
eBay July 2018

 

VALERIAN I


RI Valerian I 253-260 CE AE 20mm Alexandria Troas mint Horse Grazing




RI Valerian I 253-260 CE AR Ant Felicitas stndg Caduceus and Cornucopia

 

My only Valerian coin has an OKish portrait


although it reminds me of the giant in Twin Peaks


This coin is quite strange as the obverse legend doesn't make much sense.
Attributed by the auction house as Volusian but I think it is similar to the penultimate coin from here
https://www.beastcoins.com/RomanProvincial/Pisidia-Antioch/Pisidia-Antioch.htm

 

ah, the elusive search for a good bust o Val....here's my latest and greatest more silver than bronze ex Doug Smith collection Valerian

 

I have several of his but I bought this just for the portrait & still a favorite.


Valerian I (253 - 260 A.D.)
AR Antoninianus
O: IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG, radiate, draped bust right.
R: CONCORDIA EXERCIT, Concordia standing left holding patera and double cornucopiae.
21mm
3g
RIC 81, Cohen 39; Sear 9929.

 

The obverse inscription is just bizarre. It makes no sense at all: ...ASLLO... ???

 

Indeed. I was quite intrigued by this coin when buying it.
I kept the original attribution (Volusian) but I searched and I think it is a similar situation with the last 2 coins from here.
https://www.beastcoins.com/RomanProvincial/Pisidia-Antioch/Pisidia-Antioch.htm

The Antioch legends from that period were a complete mess.

IMP C VMP CALVSSIANO AVG (Volusian)

IMP CAE R ASLL OVALHIIR
IMP CAE R ASLL OVALEHIR (Valerian)

 

My Valerian is pretty spot on to him later in life...


Oh how I make myself laugh
If you don't get it please read up on the man's life after capture.


The man was clearly ugly. I'll leave it up to you all to figure out which one is the real Valerian

 

...i like that wooden statue...abstract modern impressionism..with a side of cube?!?..

i reckon these would be called a valerian in the middle east ><

 

Don’t forget that our boy Valerian was allegedly skinned and stuffed as a trophy. Shapur was SAVAGE

 

Nice one @Mat - my favorite of all the ones shown here!