Valerian I Antoninianus — FELICITAS AVGG

The Story

Valerian I holds a tragic distinction in Roman history: he became the first Roman emperor ever captured in battle by a foreign enemy. The period AD 235-284, known as the 'Crisis of the Third Century,' saw Rome nearly collapse under civil wars, plague, and foreign invasions. Valerian led his army east to confront the Sasanian Persian Empire under King Shapur I. After his army was struck by plague, Valerian agreed to negotiate. It was a trap. The emperor was seized at Edessa in AD 260 and spent the rest of his life as a Persian prisoner. According to some ancient sources, Shapur used the captive emperor as a human footstool when mounting his horse. Persian rock reliefs at Naqsh-e Rostam still show Shapur triumphant with Valerian kneeling before him.

Historical Context

Crisis of the Third Century — Rome nearly collapses

• •AD 253 — Valerian becomes emperor, appoints son Gallienus as co-ruler
• •AD 250s — Plague devastates the empire
• •Constant civil wars — over 20 emperors in 50 years
• •AD 260 — Valerian captured by Persian King Shapur I at Edessa

Valerian holds a tragic distinction: he became the first Roman emperor ever captured in battle by a foreign enemy.

Symbolism

Design

What Could This Buy?

By Valerian's time, the antoninianus had become significantly debased — containing far less silver than earlier issues. Rampant inflation plagued the empire. The coin's face value was increasingly divorced from its metal content.

Worth Knowing

• ◈FELICITAS AVGG ('Happiness of the Two Emperors') is bitterly ironic given what followed
• ◈Shapur I's rock relief showing Valerian's humiliation still exists in Iran today
• ◈This coin contains only 30-40% silver — a sign of economic crisis

Origin

Details