Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 138 18-19 May 2023
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Saloninus as Caesar, 255 - 259.
Aureus, Commagene circa 258-259, AV 4.11 g. SALON VALERIANVS NOB CAES Bare-headed and draped bust r. Rev. SPES PVBLICA Spes standing l. raising skirt with l. and presenting flower. C –. RIC –. Göbl 1636 = Calicó 3693a (these dies).
Of the highest rarity, apparently only the third and finest specimen known. A gentle
portrait perfectly struck on a full flan. Virtually as struck and almost Fdc
The sudden death of Valerian II on the Danubian front must have come as grim news to the teenage Saloninus: not only had he lost his elder brother, but it also meant that he would be called to arms. As one might expect, Gallienus wasted little time in raising Saloninus - his only remaining son - to the rank of Caesar, for he was occupied on the Danube at the same time: the Alemanni launched an invasion of Italy late in 258. The Empire's difficulties were so great that two emperors would not suffice, leadership was required on the three active fronts: the Rhine, the Danube and the Euphrates. Saloninus was dispatched to Cologne, where he established court and was in position to react quickly to incursions along the Rhine. Aiding the young Caesar were the praetorian prefect Silvanus and the German governor Postumus. In 260 Germans crossed the Rhine en masse, with the Alemmani pillaging Gaul and the Franks striking even further south into Spain. To make matters worse, all were probably aware by now that Valerian I, the senior emperor, had been captured by the Sasanians. Isolated and inexperienced, Saloninus stood little chance of retaining the loyalty of the disheartened Roman armies, who in opposition hailed the governor Postumus emperor. Saloninus raised himself to the rank of Augustus during a siege of Cologne by Postumus, which soon ended in the young emperor's execution, and the creation of a separatist 'Romano-Gallic Empire' by Postumus.
Aureus, Commagene circa 258-259, AV 4.11 g. SALON VALERIANVS NOB CAES Bare-headed and draped bust r. Rev. SPES PVBLICA Spes standing l. raising skirt with l. and presenting flower. C –. RIC –. Göbl 1636 = Calicó 3693a (these dies).
Of the highest rarity, apparently only the third and finest specimen known. A gentle
portrait perfectly struck on a full flan. Virtually as struck and almost Fdc
The sudden death of Valerian II on the Danubian front must have come as grim news to the teenage Saloninus: not only had he lost his elder brother, but it also meant that he would be called to arms. As one might expect, Gallienus wasted little time in raising Saloninus - his only remaining son - to the rank of Caesar, for he was occupied on the Danube at the same time: the Alemanni launched an invasion of Italy late in 258. The Empire's difficulties were so great that two emperors would not suffice, leadership was required on the three active fronts: the Rhine, the Danube and the Euphrates. Saloninus was dispatched to Cologne, where he established court and was in position to react quickly to incursions along the Rhine. Aiding the young Caesar were the praetorian prefect Silvanus and the German governor Postumus. In 260 Germans crossed the Rhine en masse, with the Alemmani pillaging Gaul and the Franks striking even further south into Spain. To make matters worse, all were probably aware by now that Valerian I, the senior emperor, had been captured by the Sasanians. Isolated and inexperienced, Saloninus stood little chance of retaining the loyalty of the disheartened Roman armies, who in opposition hailed the governor Postumus emperor. Saloninus raised himself to the rank of Augustus during a siege of Cologne by Postumus, which soon ended in the young emperor's execution, and the creation of a separatist 'Romano-Gallic Empire' by Postumus.