CNG 106, Lot: 799. Estimate $3000. Sold for $7000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Valerian I. AD 253-260. AV Heavy Aureus or Binio (21mm, 5.28 g, 5h). Samosata(?) mint. 1st emission(?), AD 255-256. IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right / MI NER VICTRIX, Minerva standing facing, head left, holding Victory in her right hand and inverted spear with her right; at her feet to left, shield; to right, trophy. RIC V –; MIR 36, –; Calicó –; Biaggi –. Near EF, holed. Unique and unpublished reverse type for Valerian I.

This gold aureus of Valerian I uses a reverse type employed previously by Caracalla (Calicó 2694-8). The obverse die is stylistically very similar to the Sunrise/Biaggi aureus (see previous lot), and may even have been engraved by the same celator.