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Orbis Collectibles

Nikaia, Valerian I., bronze coin — Two torches (CN type 12929)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 253–259

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

Coin in bronze struck at Nikaia under Valerian I., dated AD 253–259. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 12929 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Radiate bust of Valerian, left, wearing cuirass and paludamentum. Legend: Π ΟV ΛΙΚ ΟVΑΛΕΡΙΑΝΟᛈ ᛈΕΒ. Reverse: Two torches; inbetween, altar. Legend: ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ ΒΥΖΑΝΤΙΩΝ ΟΜ/ΟΝ/ΟΙ/Α. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 8.57 g (from 1 recorded specimen) and a diameter of 25.5 mm (from 1 recorded specimen). Published references cited by the corpus: Schönert-Geiß, Die Münzprägung von Byzantion. Kaiserzeit, Berlin 1972, nr. 1853-1854.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
3
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
1

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

Publius Licinius Valerianus, known as Valerian, served as Roman emperor from 253 to spring 260 AD during the Crisis of the Third Century, appointing his son Gallienus as co-emperor. This bronze civic coin was struck between AD 253 and 259 at Nikaia, an ancient Greek city situated in the northwestern Anatolian region of Bithynia.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
25.5 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
8.57 g (mean of 1 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Nikaia
Authority type
City
Issuing authority
Valerian I.

Design

Obverse type
Radiate bust of Valerian, left, wearing cuirass and paludamentum.
Reverse type
Two torches; inbetween, altar.
Obverse legend
Π ΟV ΛΙΚ ΟVΑΛΕΡΙΑΝΟᛈ ᛈΕΒ
Reverse legend
ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ ΒΥΖΑΝΤΙΩΝ ΟΜ/ΟΝ/ΟΙ/Α

Identification

Period
Roman Imperial Period
How to identify
Check the mint name or ethnic, the reverse type and the legend together, then compare weight and module; types from the same mint often differ only in legend arrangement, magistrate names or control marks.
Type corpus record
https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/types/12929
Type corpus identifier
CN type 12929

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Research required
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Recorded
Mint or printer
Recorded
Mint or printer mark
Research required
Catalogue reference
Recorded
Attached photograph (check rights)
Recorded

Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.

Catalogue references

Research required

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