Following the capture of Roman Emperor Valerian by the Sasanian Persians, one of his generals, Fulvius Macrianus or Macrianus Major, attempted to take power in the Eastern Provinces, elevating his sons Macrianus Minor and Quietus to the throne. In the Western Provinces Valerian's son Gallienus ruled. Macrianus marched his army toward the Western Empire but was defeated and killed in battle in Thrace.

A coin made of "billon" is ostensibly a coin of precious metal (silver or gold) but which is greatly debased with copper or copper-alloy.