Anazarbos in Cilicia, 253-254 AD., Valerian I, Æ 4 Assaria, Ziegler 829.
Anazarbos in Cilicia, Valerian I, 253-254 AD.,
Æ 4 Assaria / Æ28 (ø 27,5-28 mm / 14,58 g), bronze, axes about coin alignment ↑↓ (ca. 160°),
Obv.: AYT K M ΛIK OY-AΛЄPIANOC CЄ , his laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust facing half right.
Rev.: ANAZAPB - OY MHTPO / Γ - Γ / ЄT B•O•C• / •A•M•K• , Dionysos, head right and holding thyrsos, leaning left on back of panther, head left, advancing right; Γ - Γ across upper fields, ЄT B•O•C• (local city date 272 = AD 253-4) and •A•M•K• in two lines in exergue.
Ziegler Kaiser 829 (13 pieces listed) ; Ziegler Kilikien 1181 ; SNG Pfalz 6 295-96 .
The local era began in 19 BC. when the city was visited by Augustus, refounded and renamed Caesarea, dating this coin to 253 - 254 A.D. The inscription AMK is a boast of the city, meaning First, Greatest, and Most Beautiful (PRWTH MEGISTH KALLISTH).