Two Very Rare Valerian I Binios

CNG 106, Lot: 798. Estimate $5000. Sold for $5000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Valerian I. AD 253-260. AV Heavy Aureus or Binio (23mm, 5.06 g, 12h). Samosata mint. 1st emission, AD 255-256. IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right / AETERNITAS AVGG, Aeternitas advancing right, raising his right hand, holding globe in left hand. RIC V 273 (Antioch); MIR 36, 1675b; Calicó 3402 (this coin illustrated); Biaggi 1432 = Sunrise 747 (this coin). VF, some scattered marks and scrapes, traces of mounting on edge. Very rare.

Ex Sunrise Collection (New York Sale XXXVII, 5 January 2016), lot 400 (hammer $6500); Leo Biaggi de Blasys Collection (Numismatica Ars Classica 49, 21 October 2008), lot 360 (hammer 6,000 CHF); purchased by Biaggi from Hubert Herzfelder in 1956 for 6,000 CHF.