Triton XXI, Lot: 234. Estimate $750. Sold for $1100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

EGYPT, Alexandria. Saloninus. As Caesar, AD 258-260. Potin Tetradrachm (22mm, 10.81 g, 12h). Dated RY 8 of Valerian I & Gallienus (AD 260). ΠO ΛI KOP CA VAΛЄPIANOC K CЄB, bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Nike standing facing, head left, holding a wreath with her extended right hand and a palm frond with her left; L H (date) to lower left. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 5359 (this coin); K&G 93.16; Emmett 3781.8 (R5 – citing this coin); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 237 (this coin). EF, toned with nice silvering showing through. Extremely rare, the only published specimen, and perhaps unique.

From the Giovanni Maria Staffieri Collection, purchased from Athos Moretti, Bellinzona, May 1987. Ex Athos Moretti Collection (Bellinzona); Giuseppe Nascia Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 5359.

Saloninus survived his brother by another two years. Afer the death of Valerian II, Saloninus was given the rank of Caesar, and sent to Cologne to oversee the western provinces. He was aided by Silvanus, the praetorian prefect, and Postumus, the governor of Upper (or Lower) Germany. But soon Postumus was hailed as emperor by his troops, and he laid siege to the town of Cologne and the site of Saloninus’ court. After holding the rank of Augustus for a very brief period, the unfortunate Saloninus was executed by Postumus, along with Silvanus. Postumus then constructed a triumphal arch commemorating his victory over the teenage emperor.