Tralles, a prosperous city in the Maeander valley, held the right to strike civic bronze under Roman supervision — the magistrate name preserved in the legend, Zosimos, identifies the local official responsible for authorizing this issue. Such magistrate-signed bronzes from the Ephesos conventus were produced in short runs tied to specific civic or religious occasions, which is why survivors cluster in narrow die-study groups. Valerian's reign ended abruptly in 260 when he was captured by Shapur I at the Battle of Edessa — the only Roman emperor taken prisoner in battle — making joint issues with Gallienus strictly datable to that seven-year window.
Tralles, a prosperous city in the Maeander valley, held the right to strike civic bronze under Roman supervision — the magistrate name preserved in the legend, Zosimos, identifies the local official responsible for authorizing this issue. Such magistrate-signed bronzes from the Ephesos conventus were produced in short runs tied to specific civic or religious occasions, which is why survivors cluster in narrow die-study groups. Valerian's reign ended abruptly in 260 when he was captured by Shapur I at the Battle of Edessa — the only Roman emperor taken prisoner in battle — making joint issues with Gallienus strictly datable to that seven-year window.