Æ26 - Valerian and Gallienus ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ

Nicaea's civic bronze issues under the joint reign of Valerian I and Gallienus reflect a provincial minting tradition that was already under severe strain. The eastern campaigns against Shapur I — which ultimately ended with Valerian's capture at the Battle of Edessa in 260, the only time a reigning Roman emperor was taken prisoner by a foreign enemy — effectively terminated the co-reign and, with it, issues bearing both names. A coin attributable to this window carries an implicit terminus: it could not have been struck after Valerian's capture.