SALON VALERIANVS NOB CAES, radiate, draped bust right / SPES PVBLICA, Saloninus holding sceptre, receiving flower from Spes, standing left, raising hem of robe. Wreath in upper centre. 20mm, 2.96 grams. Antioch mint, minted 256 CE. RIC V-1, 36; Cohen 95; Sear 10775.

Darkly toned silver, scarce.

Saloninus (Publius Licinius Cornelius Saloninus Valerianus) was the younger son of Emperor Gallienus and held the title of Caesar from 258 to 260 CE. Appointed as imperial heir in the western provinces, he resided at Cologne (Colonia Agrippinensis) under the guardianship of the general Silvanus while his father campaigned elsewhere. During the crisis of 260, the rebel commander Postumus was proclaimed emperor by the Rhine legions. When Saloninus was elevated to Augustus in a last attempt to preserve loyalty, it proved too late: Cologne fell, and both Saloninus and Silvanus were killed. His brief and tragic career epitomizes the instability of the Crisis of the Third Century, when imperial authority fractured under constant military rebellion.