Nomos 32

Saloninus, as Caesar, 258-260. Aureus (Gold, 19 mm, 3.32 g, 6 h), Commagene, 258-259. SALON VALERIANVS NOB CAES Bare-headed and draped bust of Saloninus to right. Rev. SPES PVBLICA Spes standing to left, raising the hem of her robes with her left hand and presenting a flower, held in her extended right hand, to the young Caesar, who stands to right, wearing military dress and holding a pear. Calicó 3693a. Cohen -. RIC -. Vagi 2357. Of great rarity. A superb example, well-struck and well-centered. Virtually as struck.

During the later third century Saloninus was one of the many hapless emperors who was thrust into power only to meet their doom shortly thereafter. After the death of his elder brother, Valerian II, Saloninus was appointed Caesar by his father Gallienus in order to secure the dynastic succession and to assist with the administration of Gaul. However, due to his youth Saloninus was placed under the guardianship of Silvanus, the praetorian prefect, who was the real power in the West. Unfortunately, around 260, Silvanus had a dispute, which soon spiralled out of control, with a Batavian military commander named Postumus over the distribution of booty. This resulted in a revolt of Postumus's army, who not only forced Silvanus and Saloninus to flee to Colonia (Cologne), but also proclaimed their commander as emperor (he was the first of the Gallic Emperors (who ruled Gaul and much of the West until their surrender to Aurelian). This revolt led to a siege of Colonia, with the loyalist troops inside the city proclaiming Saloninus as Augustus in the hope of garnering support. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point-of-view), after a month the citizens of Cologne handed the young emperor over to Postumus. Although the Gallic Emperor claimed (rather dubiously) to have tried to save him, he was unable to prevent the murder of Saloninus by his troops.