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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Al Kowsky, post: 8206796, member: 97383&quot;][ATTACH=full]1438700[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>CILICIA, Corycus. Valerian, AD 253-260. AE Octassarian: 34 mm, 23.48 gm, 5 h. Obverse: Bust of Valerian radiate, draped and cuirassed facing right, and seen from the front. Reverse: Dionysus wearing a nebris, holding a thyrsus and wine skin over a panther; to left, a large agnostic prize crown containing a caduceus, palm branch and aplustre; crown set on three legged table. SNG BN 1122 (same dies); SNG Lavante 818 (same dies); SNG von Aulock 5686. <i>Ex Garth R. Drewry Collection, CNG 118, lot 128, April 13, 2005.</i></b></p><p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p>I spotted this coin at <b>CNG Triton XXV, session 6</b>, and was impressed by the composition, the attractive dark patina with tan highlights, and its size. Rather than sitting through the auction and waiting for it I left a pre-bid, and much to my delight won the lot <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie50" alt=":happy:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />. There is a small round dot in his mouth that looks like he just popped a gummy in his mouth, giving the coin a touch of humor <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />.</p><p><br /></p><p>Pictured below is another provincial bronze, also from Cilicia, that I won from a Heritage auction a couple of years ago.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1438728[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>CILICIA, Anazarbus. Valerian, AD 253-260 (dated Civic Year 272, AD 253/4). AE Hexassarian: 31 mm, 20.40 gm, 6 h. Obverse: Bust of Valerian, laureate and cuirassed facing right, seen from the front. Reverse: Valerian and his son, co-emperor Gallienus, are sitting in curule chairs. SNG Lavante 1514.</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>Poor Valerian was captured by Shapur, king of Persia, at the Battle of Edessa <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie3" alt=":(" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />. It was reported that Shapur used him as a foot stool to mount his horse. After Valerian offered Shapur a huge ransom for his release, he met his death by being forced to swallow molten gold <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie9" alt=":eek:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1438740[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>Ancient hardstone cameo depicting the capture of Valerian by Shapur. National Museum of France, Paris.</b></p><p><br /></p><p><b>CT </b>members are welcome to post any provincial coinage of Valerian, or anything relevant to this thread <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie50" alt=":happy:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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