P. Licinius Valerianus I was proclaimed emperor on the death of Trebonianus Gallus and recognised by the senate and the army in September AD 253. Valerian appointed his son Gallienus as co-emperor responsible for affairs in the West. In AD 254 Valerian campaigned in the East, he restored the city of Antioch and suppressed rebellion - thus earning the titles on coinage of 'restorer of the Orient' and later 'restorer of the world'. In AD 260 he was captured by Shapur I near Edessa. He died in captivity in Persia.

The reverse of the antoninianus above shows the youthful features of P. Licinius Cornelius Saloninus Valerianus, the younger son of Gallienus. Saloninus was made Caesar on the death of his brother Valerian II (258) and proclaimed Augustus. He was sent to Gaul and besieged by Postumus, who had him captured and killed in AD 260.