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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Roman Coins| ▸ |The Tetrarchy||View Options:   | | | |
| The ruins of Antioch on the Orontes lie near the modern city of Antakya, Turkey. Founded near the end of the 4th century B.C. by Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great's generals, Antioch's geographic, military and economic location, particularly the spice trade, the Silk Road, the Persian Royal Road, benefited its occupants, and eventually it rivaled Alexandria as the chief city of the Near East and as the main center of Hellenistic Judaism at the end of the Second Temple period. Antioch is called "the cradle of Christianity," for the pivotal early role it played in the emergence of the faith. It was one of the four cities of the Syrian tetrapolis. Its residents are known as Antiochenes. Once a great metropolis of half a million people, it declined to insignificance during the Middle Ages because of warfare, repeated earthquakes and a change in trade routes following the Mongol conquests, which then no longer passed through Antioch from the far east. |  |
Galerius, 1 March 305 - 5 May 311 A.D.
These legends and types were struck in two issues RIC VI 198a, c. 309 - 310, and RIC 207a, c. 310 - 5 May 311. The earlier issue was struck with only officiae A, B and Γ, therefore, without even considering other variations we can be certain this coin is from the second issue.RT99299. Billon follis (large), RIC VI Siscia p. 480, 207a; SRCV IV 14505; Hunter V p. 62, 7 var. (2nd officina); Cohen VI 133 (Maximian), gVF, amusing style and sharp detail on the reverse, slight porosity, reverse slightly off center, weight 7.444 g, maximum diameter 27.0 mm, die axis 0o, 4th officina, Siscia (Sisak, Croatia) mint, c. 310 - 5 May 311 A.D.; obverse IMP MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, laureate head right; reverse GENIO AVGVSTI (to the guardian spirit of the Emperor), Genius standing slightly left, head left, kalathos on head, nude but for chlamys over shoulders and left arm, patera in right hand, cornucopia in left hand, crescent with horns upward lower left, ∆ right, SIS in exergue; from a private collector in New Jersey; $80.00 (€80.80)
Licinius I, 11 November 308 - 18 September 324 A.D.
On 3 February 313, Constantine the Great and co-emperor Licinius met at a conference in Mediolanum (modern Milan). They issued the Edict of Milan, which established a policy of religious freedom for all, ending the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire.RT110134. Billon follis, Hunter V 105 (also 1st officina), RIC VI Heraclea 73, SRCV IV 15240, Cohen VII 108, VF, broad flan, some silvering, flow lines, parts of legends weak, weight 3.505 g, maximum diameter 24.1 mm, die axis 0o, 1st officina, Heraclea (Marmara Ereglisi, Turkey) mint, early 313 A.D.; obverse IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS P F AVG, laureate head right; reverse IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG (to Jupiter the protector of the two emperors), Jupiter standing left, nude but for cloak over shoulder, Victory on globe in right hand, long scepter in left hand, eagle left with wreath in beak at feet on left, A right, SMHT in exergue; $80.00 (€80.80)
Maxentius, February 307 - 28 October 312 A.D.
Maxentius assumed power in a rebellion against Severus II, who had removed the tax exemptions enjoyed by residents of the city of Rome. The legend CONSERVATORES VRB SVAE declares Maxentius is the Savior of the City (Rome), protecting its customs and privileges. He invited his father, Maximinian, who had abdicated, to resume rule. Although declared a public enemy at the Conference of Carnutum, he ruled Italy until at the Battle of Milvian Bridge, when he fell and drowned in the Tiber. His army was defeated by Constantine.RT110724. Billon follis, Hunter V 17, RIC VI Roma 210, SRCV IV 15001, Cohen VII 52, VF, highlighting earthen deposits, centered on a tight flan, edge crack, weight 3.540 g, maximum diameter 22.7 mm, die axis 180o, 4th officina, Rome mint, 308 - 310 A.D.; obverse IMP C MAXENTIVS P F AVG, laureate head right, bare right shoulder from behind; reverse CONSERVAT VRB SVAE (Guardian of the city traditions), Roma seated facing in ornate hexastyle temple, head left, holding globe in right hand, spear in left hand, shield at side to right, wreath in pediment, Victories as acroteria, RBQ in exergue; $80.00 (€80.80)
Maximian, 286 - 305, 306 - 308, and 310 A.D.
The reverse legend dedicates this coin to "Jupiter the Protector of the Emperors." The Roman's believed as the king of the gods, Jupiter favored those in positions of authority similar to his own. As the patron deity of ancient Rome, he was the chief god of the Capitoline Triad, with his sister and wife Juno. The father of Mars, he was therefore the grandfather of Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome.RL98424. Billon antoninianus, Hunter IV 4 (also 1st officina), RIC V-2 506, SRCV IV 13143, Cohen VI 355,, aVF, much silvering, full borders on a wide flan, weakly struck centers, weight 3.62 g, maximum diameter 26.3 mm, die axis 0o, 1st officina, Rome mint, c. 285 - 286 A.D.; obverse IMP MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG (to Jupiter the protector of the two emperors), Jupiter standing slightly left, head left, nude but for chlamys over left shoulder, thunderbolt in right hand, long scepter in vertical in left hand, XXIA in exergue; $70.00 (€70.70)
Licinius I, 11 November 308 - 18 September 324 A.D.
In 320 A.D., Licinius reneged on the religious freedom promised by the Edict of Milan, and began a new persecution of Christians in the Eastern Roman Empire. He destroyed churches, imprisoned Christians and confiscated their property.RL99315. Billon follis, RIC VII Nicomedia 24 (R2), SRCV IV 15236, Cohen VII 116, Hunter V 138 ff. var. (officina), Choice gVF, full legends, traces of silvering, flow lines, light marks, tiny encrustations, weight 3.377 g, maximum diameter 19.8 mm, die axis 330o, 7th officina, Nicomedia (Izmit, Turkey) mint, 317 - 320 A.D.; obverse IMP LICI-NIVS AVG, laureate consular bust left, mappa in right hand, globe and scepter in left hand; reverse IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG (to Jove the protector of the two Emperors), Jupiter standing left, nude but for cloak over shoulder, Victory on globe presenting wreath in right hand, long scepter in left hand, palm frond left, Z right, SMN in exergue; from a private collector in New Jersey; scarce; $70.00 (€70.70)
Maximinus II Daia, May 310 - 30 April 313 A.D.
The officina number is expressed as E∆ (5 + 4 = 9) because Θ, theta, the Greek numeral nine, was considered unlucky. Theta (Θ), was used as an abbreviation for Thanatos (death) and used as a warning symbol of death, in the same way that skull and crossbones are used in modern times. It survives on potsherds used by Athenians voting for the death penalty. Also, after a funeral "Nine Days of Sorrow" were solemnly observed by the Roman family. Romans avoided the use of theta, as we avoid the use of the number 13 today.RL94868. Billon follis, Hunter V 68 (also 9th officina), SRCV IV 14845, Cohen VII 47, RIC VI Antiochia 147c var. (no crescent), Choice VF, well centered, black patina with highlighting red earthen "desert patina", weight 6.809 g, maximum diameter 23.4 mm, die axis 0o, 9th officina, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 310 - 311 A.D.; obverse IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS P F AVG, laureate head right; reverse GENIO EXERCITVS (to the guardian spirit of the army), Genius standing slightly left, head left, nude but for chlamys over shoulders and left arm, kalathos on head, pouring libations from patera in right hand, cornucopia in left hand, flaming altar at feet on left, crescent horns up upper left, E over ∆ (5+4=9) right, ANT in exergue; from the Ray Nouri Collection; $60.00 (€60.60)
Maximinus II Daia, May 310 - 30 April 313 A.D.
Thessalonica was founded around 315 B.C. by Cassander, King of Macedonia, on or near the site of the ancient town of Therma. He named it after his wife Thessalonike, a daughter of Philip II and a half-sister of Alexander the Great. In 168 B.C. it became the capital of Macedonia Secunda and in 146 B.C. it was made the capital of the whole Roman province of Macedonia. Due to its port and location at the intersection of two major Roman roads, Thessalonica grew to become the most important city in Macedonia. Thessalonica was important in the spread of Christianity; the First Epistle to the Thessalonians written by Paul the Apostle is the first written book of the New Testament.RT97955. Billon follis, Hunter V p. 97, 25 (also 2nd officina) RIC VI Thessalonica 61a; SRCV IV 14882; Cohen VII 126, gVF, double strike in the reverse legend, flan shape slightly irregular, weight 3.608 g, maximum diameter 25.6 mm, die axis 0o, 2nd officina, Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece) mint, 312 - 313 A.D.; obverse IMP C MAXIMINVS P F AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG NN (to Jove the protector of our two Emperors), Jupiter standing left, nude but for cloak over left shoulder and arm, Victory on globe in right hand, scepter in left hand, eagle at feet left with wreath in beak, ·TS·B· in exergue; $60.00 (€60.60)
Galerius, 1 March 305 - 5 May 311 A.D.
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 Roman People, etc. The legend GENIO IMPERATORIS dedicates this coin to the Genius of the Imperators, the Commanders-in-Chief of the Army. 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.RT99302. Billon follis (large), RIC VI Heraclea 37a; SRCV IV 14513; Cohen VII 48; Hunter V p. 63, 16 var. (1st officina), aVF/VF, nearly centered, flow lines, obv. die wear, marks, porosity, weight 6.136 g, maximum diameter 25.3 mm, die axis 0o, 3rd officina, Heraclea (Marmara Ereglisi, Turkey) mint, c. 308 - 309 A.D.; obverse IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, laureate head right; reverse GENIO IMPERATORIS (to the guardian spirit of the Emperor as Commander in Chief), Genius standing slightly left, head left, nude but for chlamys over shoulders and left arm, kalathos on head, pouring libations from patera in right hand, cornucopia in left hand, •HTΓ• in exergue; from a private collector in New Jersey; $60.00 (€60.60)
Licinius I, 11 November 308 - 18 September 324 A.D.
In 320, Licinius reneged on the religious freedom promised by the Edict of Milan, and began a new persecution of Christians in the Eastern Roman Empire. He imprisoned Christians, confiscated their properties and destroyed churches.RL110728. Billon centenionalis, Hunter V 57, RIC VII Aquileia 40 (R2) corr. (obv. legend), SRCV IV 15369, Cohen VII 187, Choice gVF, earthen encrusted as found, weight 3.297 g, maximum diameter 18.8 mm, die axis 180o, 2nd officina, Aquileia mint, 320 A.D.; obverse IMP LICINIVS AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust right; reverse VIRTVS EXERCIT (courage of the army), Vexillum inscribed VOT / X, flanked by two bound captives seated flanking base, S - F flanking banner, AQS in exergue; $60.00 (€60.60)
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