Æ21 - Valerian and Gallienus ΑΡΤΕΜΙϹ ΕΦΕϹΙΑ

Ephesus held a uniquely privileged position among the cities of the Conventus of Ephesus, retaining the right to strike civic bronze throughout the joint reign of Valerian I and his son Gallienus — a period defined by near-constant military crisis on multiple frontiers simultaneously. The city leaned hard into its identity as guardian of the Artemision, one of the Seven Wonders, using coinage as institutional advertising at a moment when imperial authority was fracturing badly enough that local civic pride filled the vacuum.

Valerian was captured by Shapur I of Persia around 260, the only Roman emperor taken prisoner in battle.