Æ25 - Valerian and Gallienus ΗΡΑΚΛΑϹ ΝΕΩΚ ΜΗΤΡ ΠΟΝ / ΤΟΥ

Heraclea Pontica, a Megarian colony on the southern Black Sea coast, held the title of neokoros — keeper of an imperial cult temple — a status fiercely lobbied for by civic elites across Asia Minor and Pontus, since it brought both religious prestige and economic traffic. The joint reign of Valerian and Gallienus, father and son ruling simultaneously from 253, provided a narrow window for provincial mints to flatter both emperors on a single coin, and Heraclea seized it. Valerian's capture by Shapur I at Edessa in 260 effectively ended that window; bronzes naming both rulers were struck for seven years at most.