Valerian I. AD 253-260. AR Antoninianus (21.5mm, 3.73 g, 12h). Viminacium mint. 2nd emission, AD 253-254. Superb EF.

CNG Feature Auction 132
Lot: 835. Estimated: $ 500

Roman Imperial, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 1 100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Valerian I. AD 253-260. AR Antoninianus (21.5mm, 3.73 g, 12h). Viminacium mint. 2nd emission, AD 253-254. Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / Fides standing facing, head right, holding two signa, one vertical and one transverse. RIC V 241 corr. (bust type; Milan); MIR 36, 807d; RSC 71 corr. (same; Milan); S 9939 (this coin illustrated). Toned, some luster. Superb EF.

From the Barry N. Rightman Collection. Ex Numismatic Fine Arts XX (9 March 1988), lot 396.

During the joint reign of Valerian and Gallienus, a pragmatic approach to ruling the vast empire was adopted, hoping to abate the difficulties of governing such vast territories by the previous emperors. The novel mechanism was to split the empire between the two Augusti, with Gallienus ruling in the West while Valerian campaigned (and ruled) in the East. The Persians were the most pervasive threat to the Empire at the beginning of Valerian’s reign, and it was obvious that Valerian would have to personally lead an army to combat them. Unfortunately for the Romans, Valerian’s army arrived too late to stop the Sasanians under Shahpur I from devastating the eastern provinces. The Sasanians at the time typically did not extensively occupy territory but rather raided it for gain. Valerian stayed in the East to mop-up and rebuild while Gallienus faced threats along the Rhine and Danube. During his Danube campaign, Gallienus opened the mint of Viminacium to have a mint located close to the imperial headquarters along the war front. In AD 257, Valerian joined Gallienus there. Not long after, word reached him that the Sasanians were once again invading, and Valerian left for the east in the spring of AD 258. This issue was likely made in anticipation of a hopeful upcoming victorious conclusion to the conflict. But such optimism was in vain. Valerian was captured by Shahpur in AD 260, becoming the first Roman emperor to ever be captured by a foreign enemy. News of his capture gave impetus for massive invasions by Alamanni, Franks, and Juthungi across the Rhine and Danube frontiers, and emboldened the Goths’ sea raids. These events prevented Gallienus from ever attempting to lead an army east to rescue his father, who died as a captive in a foreign state.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session Three – Lot 588-888 will be held Tuesday morning, 19 May 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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