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Publius Licinius Cornelius Valerianus (died 257/258), better known as Valerian II, was about as purple-blooded as they come. Grandson of Augustus Valerian, and son of Augustus Gallienus and Augusta Salonina, Valerian II was the third generation of the imperial Valeriana dynasty. This neologism (begging your indulgence) refers to the association of the color purple with Roman aristocracy, and the Emperor specifically.
Mankind’s fascination with purple dates to prehistory. Cave paintings have been discovered, tens of thousands of years old, drawn with sticks of manganese and hematite powder, making purple among the first (and probably most important) color in the Neolithic artist’s palate. By mid second millennium BC, the Phoenicians developed a method for production of purple dye from a sea snail (now called the spiny dye murex). The process was long, difficult, and wildly expensive; a modern recreation of the process concluded it took over ten thousand snails to produce enough dye to color a handkerchief. Only in and around Tyre could this incredibly prized dye be found, hence it was called Tyrian purple. Logically, the prized substance became associated with wealth and power, hence, royalty.
The Greek’s invention of coinage around 7th century BC facilitated trading of goods and services around the Mediterranean, and soon thereafter, beyond. Tyrian dye production could not meet demand, and became the domain of exclusive clientele, such as Alexander the Great, the Achaemenid Kings, and rulers of the Seleucid and Ptolemaic Empires, just to name a few. The Roman Republic followed suit. For example, the Toga picta, solid purple and trimmed in gold, adorned generals celebrating triumphs and magistrates presiding over gladiatorial games (no one recorded what the rental fee was). By the time of the Roman Empire, purple was increasingly (and exclusively) associated with Emperors and their court. Nero made it punishable by death for anyone else to wear purple, and Caligula murdered his first cousin, the King of Mauretania, after seeing the latter donning a heliotrope cloak. The Roman Emperors took purple quite seriously.
Valerian II may never have had the opportunity to wear purple, at least not as an Augustus (who knows, perhaps he had violet diapers- and, yes, the Romans used them). He was very young, and still Caesar. As such, his father placed his young son under the guardianship of one of his trusted generals governing the Illyrian provinces.
Although Valerian II was still too young to have any meaningful participation in ruling the Empire, it was important to promote his status. To this end, coins were issued, such as this double denarius struck in Samosata circa 256 AD. The obverse depicts the draped and cuirassed bust of the boy Caesar, already wearing a radiate imperial crown. The epithet proclaims VALERIANVS NOBIL CAES, or Valerian the noble Caesar. On the verso, the boy Caesar appears once again, this time standing left, with military trappings including a spear and shield, about to place a wreath on a tropaion, a monument comprised of crosswise stakes. Hanging on the tropaion is a set of armor. Traditionally, the tropaion was set up to commemorate a victory, for instance, over the former armor’s owner. The concept survives to this day: trophies are awarded for specific achievements and recognition of merit. The legend PRINC IVVENTVTIS, indicating the young prince, surrounds the obviously prophetic scene.
Valerian II’s mother Salonina was unhappy with her young prince being sent off to the Illyrian provinces. Perhaps Salonina thought her son was still too young to leave Rome, or maybe she was suspicious of the military’s loyalty. She may have surmised correctly. Valerian II died soon thereafter under questionable circumstances.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Valerian II, as Caesar, AR Antoninianus (21mm, 4.49 g, 5h), Samosata mint, 1st emission, struck 255-256 AD, NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, VALERIANVS NOBIL CAES, Reverse: Valerian standing facing, head left, crowning trophy and holding spear and shield, PRINC IVVENTVTIS, References: RIC V 49; MIR 36, 1694b; RSC 67a.