Æ27 - Valerian and Gallienus ΕФΕϹΙΩΝ Δ ΝΕΩΚΟΡΩΝ

Ephesus held the title of neokoros — temple warden — four times over, a distinction it aggressively advertised on civic coinage during the joint reign of Valerian I and Gallienus. The ΔΝΕΩΚΟΡΩΝ legend on this type specifically references that fourth grant, awarded under Caracalla and fiercely defended in subsequent decades through civic embassies to Rome. Provincial cities competed bitterly for neokorate honors, and Ephesus spent considerable political capital maintaining its count ahead of rivals like Smyrna and Pergamon.

This issue dates to before Valerian's capture by Shapur I at the Battle of Edessa in 260, which effectively ended the co-reign coinage.