Æ32 - Valerian and Gallienus ΕΦΕϹΙΩΝ Α ΑϹΙΑϹ

Ephesus held the title of "First City of Asia" — the ΕΦΕϹΙΩΝ Α ΑϹΙΑϹ legend on this coin is that claim made in bronze. The designation was fiercely contested among Smyrna, Pergamon, and Ephesus throughout the imperial period, settled temporarily by imperial favor and periodically relitigated through embassies to Rome. Ephesus secured its primacy partly through its role as seat of the proconsul of Asia.

The joint reign of Valerian and Gallienus coincided with the empire's worst third-century crisis — Valerian's capture by Shapur I at Edessa in 260 rendered him the only Roman emperor taken prisoner in battle, cutting the co-reign abruptly short.