Billon Antoninianus Of Valerian RIC 72

Billon Antoninianus (21.5x19 2.55g) Struck AD 253-255 Antioch

Obv IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS PF AVG Radiate and draped bust right

Rev: APOLINI CONSERVA Apollo standing left holding branch and lyre (with or without rock)

RIC 72, Cohen 17; CF Sear 9925

The Front (Obverse)

The front shows the portrait of the emperor looking to the right.

The Latin Inscription:

If we unwrap this royal alphabet soup, it stands for:

• IMP: Imperator (Supreme Military Commander / Emperor)
• C: Caesar (A title of imperial authority)
• P LIC VALERIANVS: Publius Licinius Valerianus (His actual name!)
• PF: Pius Felix (Dutiful and Wise/Fortunate)
• AVG: Augustus (The highest title for the reigning Emperor)

The Back (Reverse)

The back of Roman coins was like a mini-billboard used for political propaganda or asking the gods for help.

The Latin Inscription:

This translates to "To Apollo the Protector" (or Apollo the Preserver).

• The Imagery: It features the Greek and Roman god Apollo standing and looking to the left. He is holding a branch in one hand and a lyre (a small harp-like musical instrument) in the other.

The Cool History Connection 

Why were they begging Apollo for protection in Antioch around AD 253–255?

First, a horrific plague (the Plague of Cyprian) was sweeping through the Roman Empire at the time, and Apollo was the god traditionally called upon to heal diseases. Second, Valerian's reign was incredibly chaotic. He spent almost his entire time as emperor fighting off Persian invasions on the eastern borders. In a tragic twist of history, just a few years after this coin was minted, Valerian was actually captured alive by the Persian King Shapur I—becoming the first and only Roman emperor to ever be taken as a prisoner of war!

So, this little piece of debased silver is a literal piece of a desperate emperor's prayer for his empire to survive.