| Maximian, 286 - 305, 306 - 308, and 310 A.D. |  |
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|   | In 295, Galerius, Caesar in the Balkans, was dispatched to Egypt to fight against the rebellious cities Busiris and Coptos.
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| SH63517. Silver argenteus, RIC VI 55, RSC V 547b, VF, flan crack, scratches, corrosion, weight 2.864 g, maximum diameter 18.7 mm, die axis 180o, Siscia mint, c. 295 A.D.; obverse MAXIMI-ANVS AVG, laureate head right; reverse VICTOR-IA AVGG, four princes sacrificing over tripod before the gate of a fortification with six turrets, *SIS in exergue; very rare (R4); $225.00 (€173.25) |
| RB64059. Billon antoninianus, RIC V 621, Cohen 311, VF, weight 3.803 g, maximum diameter 16.7 mm, die axis 180o, Antioch mint, 286 - 295; obverse IMP C M A MAXIMIANVS, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse CONCORDIA MILITVM, Maximianus standing right with short scepter, Jupiter standing left presenting Victory on globe with right and holding long scepter vertical behind in left, D between them, XXI• in ex; ex Elliot-Kent Collection; $150.00 (€115.50) |
|  | In 294, Maximian held the Rhine; Constantius campaigned against Allectus the usurper-emperor in Britain and northern Gaul; Galerius campaigned on the Danube; and Diocletian, accompanied by the young Constantine I, besieged the pretender Achilleus in Alexandria. |
| RS60441. Silvered antoninianus, RIC V 408, Bastien VII 613, EF, weight 3.113 g, maximum diameter 21.7 mm, die axis 45o, Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, 294 A.D.; obverse MAXIMIANVS•P•F•AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right; reverse PAX AVGG, Pax standing left, olive branch in right, long scepter in left, A in exergue; full silvering, small flan crack; $125.00 (€96.25) |
|  | In 290, Diocletian and Maximian met in Milan, on the five-year anniversary of their rule, to discuss politics and war. Rome had become only the ceremonial capital of the Empire. |
| RB60469. Silvered antoninianus, RIC V 422, Bastien 415, gVF, weight 3.392 g, maximum diameter 21.8 mm, die axis 0o, Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, 290 - 291 A.D.; obverse IMP MAXIMIANVS AVG, radiate bust left wearing imperial mantle, holding globe in right hand; reverse SALVS AVGG, Salus standing right feeding snake held in arms, C in ex; scarce; $100.00 (€77.00) |
|  | On 1 March 293, Diocletian and Maximian appointed Constantius Chlorus and Galerius as Caesars. This is considered the beginning of the Tetrarchy, known as the Quattuor Principes Mundi ("Four Rulers of the World"). The four Tetrarchs established their capitals close to the Roman frontier: Diocletian at Nicomedia, Maximian at Mediolanum (Milan), Constantius at Augusta Treverorum (Trier), and Galerius at Sirmium (in modern Serbia). |
| RA62638. Silvered antoninianus, RIC V 607 corr. (IMP C M A VAL...), aEF, weight 3.844 g, maximum diameter 20.1 mm, die axis 0o, Cyzicus mint, 293 A.D.; obverse IMP C M A MAXIMIANVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse CONCORDIA MILITVM, Maximianus standing right, holding scepter, facing Jupiter standing left, offering Victory on globe and holding scepter, S between them, XXI in ex; near full silvering; $80.00 (€61.60) |
|  | In 290, Diocletian and Maximian met in Milan, on the five-year anniversary of their rule, to discuss politics and war. Rome had become only the ceremonial capital of the Empire. |
| RB57684. Bronze antoninianus, RIC V 399, VF, weight 3.440 g, maximum diameter 22.0 mm, die axis 180o, Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, 290 - 294 A.D.; obverse IMP MAXIMIANVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right; reverse PAX AVGG, Pax standing left, Victory on globe in right, long scepter transverse in left, B in exergue; near black green patina with earthen fill; $75.00 (€57.75) |
| RB43292. Silvered antoninianus, RIC V 404, Bastien VII 496, gVF, weight 4.083 g, maximum diameter 21.7 mm, die axis 180o, Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, 1 Mar - 20 Nov 293 A.D.; obverse IMP MAXIMIANVS AVG, radiate, helmeted and cuirassed bust right; reverse PAX AVGG, Minerva standing left, olive branch upward in right hand, spear in left and resting left hand on shield, C (=officina 3) left, thunderbolt in ex; uncleaned with original as-found hoard encrustation remaining; $70.00 (€53.90) |
|  | In the late summer of 285, Maximian suppressed rebels in Gaul known as the Bagaudae. |
| RA62644. Silvered antoninianus, RIC V 623, gVF, weight 4.074 g, maximum diameter 20.0 mm, die axis 180o, Antioch mint, 285 A.D.; obverse IMP C M AVR VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right; reverse IOVI CONSERVATORI, Jupiter holding scepter, presenting Victory on globe to Maximianus, Z in center, XXI in ex ; full silvering; $70.00 (€53.90) |
|  | Quies is the personification of rest and retirement. This coin honors the Senior Emperors Diocletian and Maximian after their abdication in 305 A.D. The obverse dedicates the coin, to our lord or Maximian the happy senior emperor. The reverse translates, By the providence of the gods, the restful retirement of the Emperors. |
| RB57924. Bronze follis, RIC VI 676b, F, weight 10.685 g, maximum diameter 29.8 mm, die axis 190o, Treveri (Trier) mint, May 305 - early 307 A.D.; obverse D N MAXIMIANO FELICISSIMO SEN AVG, laureate bust right, wearing imperial mantle, olive branch in right, mappa in left; reverse PROVIDENTIA DEORVM QVIES AVGG, Providentia on left standing right, extending right hand to Quies, who is standing left with branch in right and leaning on scepter in left, S - F across outer fields, PTR in ex; well centered; $65.00 (€50.05) |
| Maximian, 285 - 305, 306 - 308, and 310 A.D., Commemorative Issued by Constantine the Great |  | Constantine the Great issued this commemorative, ironically honoring a man he had forced to commit suicide. |
| RL50372. Bronze AE 3, RIC VII 41, Nice VF, weight 0.994 g, maximum diameter 15.7 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, 317 - 318 A.D.; obverse DIVO MAXIMIANO SEN FORT IMP, laureate and veiled head right; reverse REQVIES OPTIMOR MERITORVM, Maximian seated left on curule chair, raising right hand, scepter in left, SIS in ex; nice green patina, well centered; scarce (R3); $60.00 (€46.20) |
|  | Heraclea, the Greek city of Perinthos, later known as Heraclea Thracica to distinguish it from Heraclea Pontica, is now Marmara Ereglisi in the European part of Turkey. The Roman mint was established by Diocletian shortly before his reform and was in use until the times of Theodosius II. Dates of operation: 291 - 450 A.D. mint marks: H, HERAC, HT, MHT, SMH, SMHT. |
| RB55954. Bronze antoninianus, RIC V part II, 595, VF, weight 3.663 g, maximum diameter 21.8 mm, die axis 0o, Heraclea mint, c. 292 - 294 A.D.; obverse IMP C M A MAXIMIANVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse CONCORDIA MILITVM, Maximianus standing right, holding scepter and receiving Victory on globe from Jupiter standing left, holding long scepter, S between them, XXI• in ex; $60.00 (€46.20) |
|  | Diocletian associated himself with Jupiter, the head of the Roman pantheon. His co-emperor, Maximian, associated himself with Hercules. This connection between god and emperor helped to legitimize the emperors' claims to power and tied imperial government closer to the traditional cult. |
| RB58165. Bronze antoninianus, RIC V 622, aVF, weight 3.452 g, maximum diameter 20.8 mm, die axis 0o, Antioch mint, 285 - 294 A.D.; obverse IMP C M AVR VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right; reverse IOV ET HERCV CONSER AVGG, Jupiter standing left holding scepter and globe, receiving Victory on globe from Hercules standing right holding club and lion-skin, crescent over H in center, XXI in ex; $40.00 (€30.80) |
| Maximianus, 285 - 310 A.D., Roman Provincial Egypt |  | |
| RX41231. Billon tetradrachm, Milne 4878, SNG Cop 1030, BMC Alexandria 2574, Dattari 5958, gVF, weight 6.690 g, maximum diameter 18.8 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, 29 Aug 287 - 28 Aug 288 A.D.; obverse A K M OUA MAXIMIANOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse Nike flying right, wreath in right, palm over shoulder in left, L - G (year 3) across fields, star right; $36.00 (€27.72) |
| Maximianus, 286 - 305, 306 - 308, and 310 A.D., Roman Provincial Egypt |  | Homonoia was the goddess (or spirit or personification) of harmony, concord, unanimity, and oneness of mind. She is usually depicted either seated or standing with a cornucopia. |
| RX42529. Billon tetradrachm, Milne 4940, BMC Alexandria 2565, SNG Cop 1039, Kampmann 120.45, Geissen -, Curtis -, VF, weight 7.011 g, maximum diameter 18.7 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, 29 Aug 289 - 28 Aug 290 A.D.; obverse A K M A OUA MAXIMIANOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse Homonoia standing left, raising right, double cornucopia in left, E/L (year 5) left, star right; $36.00 (€27.72) |
| Maximianus, 286 - 305, 306 - 308, and 310 A.D., Roman Provincial Egypt |  | In ancient times, Alexandria was one of the world's most famous cities, known for its lighthouse (Pharos, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) and its library (the largest in the ancient world). Founded around 331 B.C. by Alexander the Great, it was Egypt's capital for nearly a thousand years, until the Muslim conquest of Egypt in 641 A.D. |
| RX41232. Billon tetradrachm, Milne 4904, Curtis 2052, Geissen 3299, BMC Alexandria 2593 var (obv legend), SNG Cop 1033, Emmett 4093, VF/F, weight 7.131 g, maximum diameter 17.9 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, 29 Aug 288 - 28 Aug 289; obverse A K M A OUA MAXIMIANOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse Alexandria standing left, wearing turreted cap, bust of Serapis in right, long scepter vertical in left, L - D (year 4) across fields; $32.00 (€24.64) |
| Maximianus, 285 - 310 A.D., Roman Provincial Egypt |  | |
| RX51988. Billon tetradrachm, Milne 5050, BMC Alexandria 2583, Emmett 4147 var (no letter in ex), VF, weight 7.290 g, maximum diameter 20.4 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, 29 Aug 291 - 28 Aug 292 A.D.; obverse MAXIMIANOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse Nike flying right, wreath in right, palm over shoulder in left, L - Z (year 7) across fields, G in ex; nice centering; $32.00 (€24.64) |
| Maximianus, 286 - 305, 306 - 308, and 310 A.D., Roman Provincial Egypt |  | Elpis was the Greek personification of Hope. According the Hesiod's famous story, Elpis was the last to escape the Pandora's box. It can be debated whether she was really about "hope" as we understand it, or rather mere "expectation." In art, Elpis is normally depicted carrying flowers or a cornucopia, but on coins she is almost invariably depicted holding a flower in her extended right, while the left is raising a fold of her dress. Elpis's Roman equivalent was Spes. She was also named "ultima dea" - the last resort of men.
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| RX51993. Billon tetradrachm, BMC Alexandria 2555, SNG Cop 1023, Milne 4828-9 var (star), Dattari 5873-5 var (same), VF, weight 7.558 g, maximum diameter 19.2 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, 29 Aug 286 - 28 Aug 287; obverse A K M A OUA MAXIMIANOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse Elpis standing left, flower in right, raising drapery with left, L - B (year 2) across fields; $32.00 (€24.64) |
| Maximianus, 286 - 305, 306 - 308, and 310 A.D., Roman Provincial Egypt |  | Elpis was the Greek equivalent of the Roman Spes, the goddess of hope. She was traditionally defined as "the last goddess" (Spes, ultima dea), meaning that hope is the last resource available to men. Elpis personified hope for good harvests, and for children, and was invoked at births, marriages, and other important times. |
| BB51955. Billon tetradrachm, Milne 4829; Dattari 5875; Curtis 2071; Geissen 3286; BMC Alexandria p. 329, 2556; SNG Cop 1024; Kampmann 120.17, aVF, weight 7.089 g, maximum diameter 20.2 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, 29 Aug 286 - 28 Aug 287; obverse A K M OUA MAXIMIANOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse Elpis standing left, flower in right, raising drapery with left, star behind, L - B (year 2) across fields; $30.00 (€23.10) |
| Maximian, 286 - 305, 306 - 308, and 310 A.D., Roman Provincial Egypt |  | Ptolemy Soter integrated Egyptian religion with that of the Hellenic rulers by creating Serapis, a deity that would win the reverence of both groups. This was despite the curses of the Egyptian priests against the gods of previous foreign rulers (i.e Set who was lauded by the Hyksos). Alexander the Great had attempted to use Amun for this purpose, but Amum was more prominent in Upper Egypt, and not as popular in Lower Egypt, where the Greeks had stronger influence. The Greeks had little respect for animal-headed figures, and so an anthropomorphic statue was chosen as the idol, and proclaimed as the equivalent of the highly popular Apis. It was named Aser-hapi (i.e. Osiris-Apis), which became Serapis, and was said to be Osiris in full, rather than just his Ka (life force). Ptolemy's efforts were successful - in time Serapis was held by the Egyptians in the highest reverence above all other deities, and he was adored in Athens and other Greek cities. |
| RX41235. Billon tetradrachm, Dattari 5833; Milne 4904; Curtis 2052, Geissen 3299, BMC Alexandria 2593 var (obv legend, in error), SNG Cop 1033, Emmett 4093, aVF, weight 8.204 g, maximum diameter 18.9 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, 29 Aug 288 - 28 Aug 289 A.D.; obverse A K M A OUA MAXIMIANOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse Alexandria standing left, wears turreted cap, head of Serapis in right, long scepter vertical in left, L - D (year 4) across fields; $28.00 (€21.56) |
| Maximianus, 285 - 310 A.D., Roman Provincial Egypt |  | In ancient times, Alexandria was one of the world's most famous cities, known for its lighthouse (Pharos, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) and its library (the largest in the ancient world). Founded around 331 B.C. by Alexander the Great, it was Egypt's capital for nearly a thousand years, until the Muslim conquest of Egypt in 641 A.D. |
| RX53944. Billon tetradrachm, Milne 4904; Curtis 2052; Geissen 3299; Kampmann-Ganschow 120.33; BMC Alexandria 2593 var (obv legend), SNG Cop 1033, Emmett 4093, aVF, weight 6.409 g, maximum diameter 19.3 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, 29 Aug 288 - 28 Aug 289; obverse A K M A OUA MAXIMIANOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse Alexandria standing left, wearing turreted cap, bust of Serapis in right, long scepter vertical in left, L - D (year 4) across fields; $28.00 (€21.56) |
| Maximianus, 285 - 310 A.D., Roman Provincial Egypt |  | |
| RX53954. Billon tetradrachm, Curtis 2050, Milne 4785, BMC Alexandria 2591, VF, weight 7.533 g, maximum diameter 18.3 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, 1 Apr 286 - 28 Aug 286; obverse A K M OUA MAXIMIANOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse Alexandria standing half left, turreted, holding head of Serapis and scepter, star behind, L - A (year 1) across fields; $28.00 (€21.56) |
| Maximianus, 286 - 305, 306 - 308, and 310 A.D., Roman Provincial Egypt |  | Elpis was the Greek personification of Hope. According the Hesiod's famous story, Elpis was the last to escape the Pandora's box. It can be debated whether she was really about "hope" as we understand it, or rather mere "expectation." In art, Elpis is normally depicted carrying flowers or a cornucopia, but on coins she is almost invariably depicted holding a flower in her extended right, while the left is raising a fold of her dress. Elpis's Roman equivalent was Spes. She was also named "ultima dea" - the last resort of men.
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| RX41245. Billon tetradrachm, BMC Alexandria 2555, SNG Cop 1023, Milne 4828-9 var (star), Dattari 5873-5 var (same), aVF, weight 7.985 g, maximum diameter 20.1 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, 29 Aug 286 - 28 Aug 287; obverse A K M A OUA MAXIMIANOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse Elpis standing left, flower in right, raising drapery with left, L - B (year 2) across fields; $27.00 (€20.79) |
| Maximianus, 286 - 305, 306 - 308, and 310 A.D., Roman Provincial Egypt |  | Elpis was the Greek personification of Hope. According the Hesiod's famous story, Elpis was the last to escape the Pandora's box. It can be debated whether she was really about "hope" as we understand it, or rather mere "expectation." In art, Elpis is normally depicted carrying flowers or a cornucopia, but on coins she is almost invariably depicted holding a flower in her extended right, while the left is raising a fold of her dress. Elpis's Roman equivalent was Spes. She was also named "ultima dea" - the last resort of men.
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| BB51978. Billon tetradrachm, BMC Alexandria 2555, SNG Cop 1023, Milne 4828-9 var (star), Dattari 5873-5 var (same), VF, weight 7.029 g, maximum diameter 19.1 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, 29 Aug 286 - 28 Aug 287; obverse A K M A OUA MAXIMIANOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse Elpis standing left, flower in right, raising drapery with left, L - B (year 2) across fields; $27.00 (€20.79) |
| Maximianus, 286 - 305, 306 - 308, and 310 A.D., Roman Provincial Egypt |  | Elpis was the Greek personification of Hope. According the Hesiod's famous story, Elpis was the last to escape the Pandora's box. It can be debated whether she was really about "hope" as we understand it, or rather mere "expectation." In art, Elpis is normally depicted carrying flowers or a cornucopia, but on coins she is almost invariably depicted holding a flower in her extended right, while the left is raising a fold of her dress. Elpis's Roman equivalent was Spes. She was also named "ultima dea" - the last resort of men.
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| BB51996. Billon tetradrachm, BMC Alexandria 2555, SNG Cop 1023, Milne 4828-9 var (star), Dattari 5873-5 var (same), VF, weight 7.811 g, maximum diameter 18.9 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, 29 Aug 286 - 28 Aug 287; obverse A K M A OUA MAXIMIANOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse Elpis standing left, flower in right, raising drapery with left, L - B (year 2) across fields; $27.00 (€20.79) |
| Maximianus, 285 - 310 A.D., Roman Provincial Egypt |  | Elpis was the Greek equivalent of the Roman Spes, the goddess of hope. She was traditionally defined as "the last goddess" (Spes, ultima dea), meaning that hope is the last resource available to men. Elpis personified hope for good harvests, and for children, and was invoked at births, marriages, and other important times. |
| RX53948. Billon tetradrachm, Dattari 5875; Milne 4829; Curtis 2071; Geissen 3286; BMC Alexandria p. 329, 2556; SNG Cop 1024, VF, weight 7.678 g, maximum diameter 20.0 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, 29 Aug 286 - 28 Aug 287; obverse A K M OUA MAXIMIANOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse Elpis standing left, flower in right, raising drapery with left, star behind, L - B (year 2) across fields; $27.00 (€20.79) |
| RB64056. Billon antoninianus, RIC V 58b, VF, weight 3.837 g, maximum diameter 19.0 mm, die axis 45o, Siscia mint, obverse radiate bust right; reverse VICTORIA AVGG, soldier and emperor supporting Victory together; ex Elliot-Kent Collection; $25.00 (€19.25) |
| Maximian, 285 - 305, 306 - 308, and 310 A.D., Commemorative Issued by Constantine the Great |  | Constantine the Great issued this commemorative, ironically honoring a man he had forced to commit suicide. |
| BB62104. Bronze AE 3, RIC VII 41, aVF, scratch, weight 0.995 g, maximum diameter 14.9 mm, die axis 180o, Siscia mint, 317 - 318 A.D.; obverse DIVO MAXIMIANO SEN FORT IMP, laureate and veiled head right; reverse REQVIES OPTIMOR MERITORVM, Maximian seated left on curule chair, raising right hand, short scepter in left, SIS in ex; scarce (R3); $23.00 (€17.71) |
| Maximianus, 286 - 305, 306 - 308, and 310 A.D., Roman Provincial Egypt |  | Maximian was emperor of the West in the Tetrarchy, abdicating with Diocletian in 305. In 306 he resumed the throne with his son Maxentius but was again forced to abdicate in 308. He took the throne again in 310 but this time he was defeated by Constantine the Great and forced to commit suicide. |
| BB51962. Billon tetradrachm, Milne 4921, Curtis 2060, Geissen 3298, BMC Alexandria 2596, SNG Cop 1035, F, weight 7.597 g, maximum diameter 18.4 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, 29 Aug 288 - 28 Aug 289 A.D.; obverse A K M A OUA MAXIMIANOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse eagle standing left, looking back, wreath in beak, star above left, L - D (year 4) across fields; $22.00 (€16.94) |
| BB59342. Copper post-reform radiate, RIC VI 15b, VF, weight 2.292 g, maximum diameter 21.618 mm, die axis 0o, Cyzicus mint, 295 - 299 A.D.; obverse IMP C M A MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right; reverse CONCORDIA MILITVM, Maximian standing right receiving victory on globe from Jupiter standing left, KE in center; $21.00 (€16.17) |
|  | In Roman religion every man has a genius, a presiding spirit. In De Die Natali, Censorinus says, from the moment we are born, we live under the guard and tutelage of Genius. Cities, organizations, and peoples also had a genius. On coins we find inscriptions to the Genius of the Army, of the Senate, of the Emperor, etc. The legend GENIO POPVLI ROMANI dedicates this coin to the Genius of the Roman People. Genius' image is of a man with a cloak half covering the shoulders leaving the rest of his body naked, holding a cornucopia in one hand, and a simpulum or a patera in the other. |
| BB53666. Copper quarter-follis, RIC VI 147, F, weight 1.663 g, maximum diameter 19.1 mm, die axis 0o, Siscia mint, 305 - 306 A.D.; obverse IMP C M A MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, laureate bust right; reverse GENIO POPVLI ROMANI, Genius of the Roman people standing left, naked but for chlamys over shoulder and modius on head, pouring libations from patera in right, cornucopia in left, SIS in ex; scarce (R3); $20.00 (€15.40) |
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