Roman Imperial. Valerian I (253-260 CE) AR Antoninianus (2.66g, 22.5mm, 6h). Struck in Viminacium, 3rd emission, 257 CE.
Obverse: IMP VALERIANVS P F AVG. Radiate and cuirassed bust right.
Reverse: VICT PART. Victory standing left, holding palm in left hand, resting her right on shield; to left, Parthian captive (Parthia, herself?) seated left, in attitude of mourning.
References: Göbl MIR 36, 847d. See also: RIC V 262 var. (draped bust); RSC 255 var. (same); Emmett Collection (Beasley cat.) spec.; Esty Collection spec. (a particularly nice one — artistic dies for this period & mint!).
Provenance: Ex-Gitbud & Naumann (eBay Store), 19 March 2013.
Numis. Notes: Rare variant of this uncommon type (even more so with full legends and virtually complete design). In ACSearch records since 2000, there may be only 3 others of this specific type described (cuirassed/PART; MIR 36, 847d), though others have probably been sold unidentified or in group lots (like these two examples). Of the more general type: A few examples in ACSearch (7 last I checked; 12 records, at least 5 duplicates), counting both obv. variants – draped, as in my other example (RIC 626), and cuirassed, as in this example (MIR 36, 847d) – and both rev. variants – PART (as in both of mine) and PARTI (not in my collection). See also (ex) Keith Emmett’s & Warren Esty’s — the latter is exceptional for this type.