★ Cologne opening issue ★

Valerian I (253-260), Antoninianus, issued 257-8. Cologne, 3.16g, 22mm.
Obv: VALERIANVS•P•F•AVG; Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: ORIENS AVGG; Sol advancing left, raising his right hand in salute and holding whip in his left.
RIC 12.
This is an historically significant coin: the situation on the German frontier was sufficiently bad that both Valerian and Gallienus were required to be present, and they opened a mint at Cologne to satisfy their coinage needs. This coin is from that very first mintage.