Galerius

Augustus 305-311

Galerius started as an ordinary soldier in the armies of Aurelian and then Probus. By the time he served under Diocletian his military career had culminated with the position of Praetorian Prefect. Under Diocletian 's new scheme for ruling the empire, he named Galerius as one of the Caesars in the new Tetrarchy and assigned him to the eastern half. With Diocletian abdicating soon after, Galerius automatically became Augustus himself.

The rest of his reign would be taken up fighting the power grabbing of Constantius Chlorus who, against the principles of the Tetrarchy, would start a dynasty in his own bloodline as well as dealing with the increasingly troublesome Maxentius who was now leading a revolt from Rome with the aim of eliminating what was left of the Tetrarchy. He died of natural causes before any conclusions were in store for the stalemate.

Galerius is one of the few emperors whose name is never actually spelled out on his coins. Instead, he is often confused with Maximian because they both happened to have the same last name. Rather than being referred to as Maximian II, which would have been rather confusing seeing that both rulers ' reigns overlapped, modern historians differentiate the two by using one of his other surnames.

Asides from the naming conventions the coins themselves don 't help much to set them apart since by now the portraits are those of a generic effigy. In the end, telling the two apart comes with a certain measure of experience and acquaintance with the coins of both emperors.
In the case of most bronzes, these being the most accessible to collectors, a GAL or CAES in the legend coupled with MAXIMIANVS will be enough to attribute the coin to Galerius rather than Maximian. Fortunately, the greater part of these bronzes do have legends which facilitate this distinction.

As with other coins of the Tetrarchic period a great many were struck for Galerius. While a few remain in near-mint condition this is still the age of the thin-coat silvering which weathered very poorly. A fully silvered Follis is therefore to be considered a rarity and will command a significant premium. All other lesser-grade coins of common design themes and denominations should cost only a few dollars.

Busts:

1) Bare head right
2) Helmeted, cuirassed bust left, holding globe
3) Helmeted, cuirassed bust left, holding scepter over shoulder
4) Helmeted, cuirassed bust left, holding scepter over shoulder and shield
5) Helmeted, cuirassed bust left, holding spear and shield
6) Helmeted, cuirassed bust left, holding spear over shoulder and shield
7) Helmeted, cuirassed bust left, holding Victory
8) Helmeted, draped and cuirassed bust left, holding spear over shoulder and shield
9) Laureate bust left, wearing imperial mantle
10) Laureate bust left, wearing imperial mantle, holding scepter with eagle atop and globe
11) Laureate bust left, wearing imperial mantle, holding scepter with eagle atop
12) Laureate bust left, wearing imperial mantle, holding Victory on globe
13) Laureate bust right, wearing imperial mantle, holding scepter
14) Laureate head left
15) Laureate head right
16) Laureate, cuirassed bust left
17) Laureate, cuirassed bust left, holding scepter over shoulder
18) Laureate, cuirassed bust left, holding scepter over shoulder and shield
19) Laureate, cuirassed bust right
20) Laureate, cuirassed bust right, holding scepter and shield
21) Laureate, cuirassed bust right, holding spear and shield
22) Laureate, cuirassed bust right, holding spear over shoulder and shield
23) Laureate, cuirassed bust right, holding spear over shoulder and shield
24) Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
25) Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, holding scepter over shoulder
26) Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, holding spear and shield
27) Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, raising hand and holding globe
28) Laureate, draped bust right, holding spear over shoulder
29) Laureate, draped bust right, holding spear over shoulder and shield
30) Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
31) Veiled head right

Obverses:

1) C VAL MAXIMIANVS CAES
2) C VAL MAXIMIANVS CAESAR
3) C VAL MAXIMIANVS NOB C
4) DIVO GAL VAL MAXIMIANO
5) DIVO GAL VAL MAXIMIANO AVG
6) DIVO MAXIMIANO
7) DIVO MAXIMIANO AVG
8) DIVO MAXIMIANO IVN AVG
9) DIVO MAXIMIANO MAXIMINVS AVG FIL
10) DIVO MAXIMIANO SOCERO MAXENTIVS AVG
11) DN MAXIMIANVS CAES
12) GAL MAXIMIANVS AVG VII CONSS
13) GAL MAXIMIANVS PF AVG
14) GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS CAES
15) GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS N C
16) GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS NOB C
17) GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES
18) GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS NOBIL C
19) GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS PF AVG
20) IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS PF AVG
21) IMP C MAXIMIANVS AVG
22) IMP C MAXIMIANVS P AVG
23) IMP C MAXIMIANVS P FEL AVG
24) IMP C MAXIMIANVS PF AVG
25) IMP C MAXIMIANVS PIVS FEL AVG
26) IMP MAXENTIVS DIVO MAXIMIANO SOCERO
27) IMP MAXIMIANVS AVG
28) IMP MAXIMIANVS IVN AVG
29) IMP MAXIMIANVS P AVG
30) IMP MAXIMIANVS PF AVG
31) IMP MAXIMIANVS PF IN AVG
32) MAXIMIANVS AVG
33) MAXIMIANVS AVGVSTVS
34) MAXIMIANVS C
35) MAXIMIANVS CAES
36) MAXIMIANVS CAESAR
37) MAXIMIANVS N C
38) MAXIMIANVS N CAES
39) MAXIMIANVS NOB C
40) MAXIMIANVS NOB CAE
41) MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES
42) MAXIMIANVS NOB CAESAR
43) MAXIMIANVS NOB CE
44) MAXIMIANVS NOB CS
45) MAXIMIANVS NOBIL C
46) MAXIMIANVS NOBIL CAES
47) MAXIMIANVS NOBIL CAES
48) MAXIMIANVS NOBIL CAESAR
49) MAXIMIANVS PF AVG

Reverses:

1) AETERNA MEMORIA
2) AETERNAE MEMORIAE
3) AETERNAE MEMORIAE GAL MAXIMIANI
4) AETERNAE MEMORIAE GALERI MAXIMIANI
5) COMES AVGG
6) COMITATVS AVGG
7) CONCORDIA AVGG ET CAESS NN
8) CONCORDIA AVGG NOSTR
9) CONCORDIA CAESS NOSTR
10) CONCORDIA FELIX DD NN
11) CONCORDIA MILITVM
12) CONCORDIAE AVGG
13) CONSER AVGG
14) CONSVL AVGG NN
15) CONSVL CAESS
16) CONSVL V PP PROCOS
17) CONSVL VI PP PROCOS
18) CONSVL VII PP PROCOS
19) CONSVL VIII PP PROCOS
20) F ADVENT AVGG NN
21) FEL ADVENT AVGG NN
22) FELICITAS SAECVLI AVGG NN
23) FELIX ADVENT AVGG NN
24) FIDES MILITVM
25) FIDES MILITVM AVGG ET CAESS NN
26) FORTI FORTVNAE
27) FORTVNAE REDVCI
28) FORTVNAE REDVCI AVGG ET CAESS NN
29) FORTVNAE REDVCI AVGG NN
30) FORTVNAE REDVCI CAESS NN
31) GENIO AVGG ET CAESARVM NN
32) GENIO AVGVSTI
33) GENIO AVGVSTI CMH
34) GENIO CAESARIS
35) GENIO IMPERATORIS
36) GENIO POP ROM
37) GENIO POPVLI ROM
38) GENIO POPVLI ROMANI
39) HERCVLI COMITI AVGG NOSTR
40) HERCVLI COMITI CAESS NOSTR
41) HERCVLI VICTORI
42) IOVI CONS CAES
43) IOVI CONSERVAT
44) IOVI CONSERVAT AVGG ET CAESS
45) IOVI CONSERVAT AVGG ET CAESS NN
46) IOVI CONSERVATORI
47) IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG ET CAESS NN
48) IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG NN
49) IOVI CONSERVATORI NK
50) IOVI ET HERCVLI CONS CAES
51) IOVIS CONSERVATOR
52) IOVIS CONSERVATOR AVGG
53) M SACRA AVGG ET CAESS NN
54) MARTI PROPVGNATORI
55) MARTI VICTORI
56) MEM DIVI MAXIMIANI
57) MEMORIA FELIX
58) MONETA AVGG
59) MONETA AVGG ET CAESS NN
60) MONETA S AVGG ET CAESS NN
61) MONETA SACRA AVGG ET CAESS NN
62) ORIENS AVGG
63) ORIENS AVGVSTOR
64) PIETAS AVGG ET CAESS NN
65) PRINCIPI IVVENTVT
66) PRINCIPI IVVENTVTI
67) PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS
68) PROVIDENTIA AVGG
69) S M VRB AVGG ET CAESS NN
70) SAC M VRB AVGG ET CAESS NN
71) SAC MON VRB AVGG ET CAESS NN
72) SACR MONET AVGG ET CAESS NOSTR
73) SACRA MON VRB AVGG ET CAESS NN
74) SACRA MONET AVGG ET CAESS NOSTR
75) SACRA MONET VRB AVGG ET CAESS NN
76) SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS AVCTA KART
77) SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART
78) SALVS AVGG ET CAESS NN
79) SECVRIT PERPET DD NN
80) SOLI INVICTAE
81) SOLI INVICTO
82) SOLI INVICTO NK
83) TEMPORVM FELICITAS
84) VBIQVE VICTORES
85) VICTORIA AVGG
86) VICTORIA SARM
87) VICTORIA SARMAT
88) VICTORIA SARMATICA
89) VICTORIAE SARMATICAE
90) VIRTVS AVGG
91) VIRTVS AVGG ET CAESS NN
92) VIRTVS EXERCITVS
93) VIRTVS ILLVRICI
94) VIRTVS IOVI CAESARIS
95) VIRTVS MILITVM
96) VIRTVTI EXERCITI
97) VIRTVTI EXERCITVS
98) VIRTVTI EXERCITVS CMH
99) VIRTVTI MILITVM
100) VTILITAS PVBLICA
101) No legend

Types:

1) Africa standing, facing, holding standard and tusk; lion and bull to left.
2) Altar; eagle atop
3) City gate (enclosure)
4) City gate with (3) turrets
5) City gate with (4) turrets
6) Carthage standing, facing, holding fruits in each hand.
7) Concordia seated left, holding patera and two cornucopiae.
8) Diocletian and Maximian each riding a horse left and raising a hand, one also holding a scepter.
9) Felicitas seated left, holding caduceus and cornucopia.
10) Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and cornucopia.
11) Fides seated left, holding standard in each hand.
12) Fides standing, facing, holding standard in each hand.
13) Fortuna seated left, holding rudder and cornucopia
14) Fortuna seated left, holding rudder on globe and cornucopia.
15) Fortuna standing left, holding rudder on globe and cornucopia; wheel to right
16) Fortuna veiled, crowned head right
17) Galerius advancing right, dragging captive and holding trophy; seated captive to right.
18) Galerius and Constantine I standing, shaking hands, each holding a scepter.
19) Galerius riding horse right, aiming spear; galley above.
20) Galerius riding horse right, holding spear
21) Galerius riding horse right, spearing barbarian; another barbarian lying on ground.
22) Galerius riding horse right, spearing barbarian; shield under horse
23) Galerius riding horse right, spearing barbarian; two barbarians lying on ground
24) Galerius standing left, holding globe and scepter
25) Galerius standing left, holding globe and scepter; two standards to right.
26) Galerius standing left, raising hand and holding scepter; standard on either side.
27) Galerius standing rigtht on left, receiving Victory from Jupiter to right, holding scepter
28) Galerius standing right, holding spear and globe.
29) Galerius standing, facing, holding spear and globe; captive on either side.
30) Galerius standing, facing, holding standard in each hand.
31) Genius standing left, holding patera and cornucopia
32) Genius standing left, pouring out patera and holding cornucopia.
33) Genius standing left, sacrificing over altar and holding patera
34) Hercules standing left, holding Victory on globe and resting hand on club with lion skin.
35) Hercules standing right, resting hand on club and holding apple
36) Hercules standing right, resting hand on club and holding branch.
37) Jupiter seated left, holding thunderbolt and scepter
38) Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt and scepter.
39) Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt and scepter; eagle to left.
40) Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt and scepter; eagle to left with wreath in beak.
41) Jupiter standing left, holding Victory and scepter
42) Mars standing, facing, holding Victory and spear
43) Moneta standing left, holding scale and cornucopia
44) Monetae (3) standing left, each holding a scale and cornucopia; coins piled by their feet
45) Pietas standing, facing, holding baby; child to left.
46) Salus standing right, holding and feeding snake.
47) Securitas standing left, leaning on column, resting hand on head and cradling scepter
48) Sol radiate, draped bust right
49) Sol standing left, holding globe and whip.
50) Sol standing left, raising hand and holding globe and whip.
51) Sol standing left, raising hand and holding whip
52) Temple with (2) columns; Mars within, holding spear and shield
53) Temple with (4) columns, eagle atop.
54) Temple with (6) columns, eagle atop.
55) Temple, eagle atop.
56) Tetrarchs sacrificing over altar; city gate behind them.
57) Utilitas standing, facing
58) Victories (2) standing, facing each other, together holding wreath reading VIC / AVGG
59) Virtus advancing right, holding spear and trophy
60) Virtus advancing right, holding spear and trophy with shield
61) Wreath, MVL / TIS / X within
62) Wreath, MVL / TIS / XX within
63) Wreath, SIC / X / SIC / XX within
64) Wreath, SIC X / SIC XX / COS IIII within
65) Wreath, VOT / IS X / SIC / XX within
66) Wreath, VOT / X / CAESS within.
67) Wreath, VOT / X within
68) Wreath, VOT / X / SIC / XX within.
69) Wreath, VOT / XX / AVGG / NN within
70) Wreath, VOT / XX / AVGG within
71) Wreath, VOT / XX / SIC / XXX within
72) Wreath, VOT / XX within
73) Wreath, XC /VI within
74) Wreath, XCVI within

Mints:

1) Alexandria
2) Antioch
3) Aquileia
4) Cyzicus
5) Heraclea
6) Karthago
7) Londinium
8) Lugdunum
9) Nicomedia
10) Ostia
11) Roma
12) Serdica
13) Siscia
14) Thessalonica
15) Ticinum
16) Treveri


AU Aureus Reference(s)
1) B15, O30, R041, T35, M12 Exe: W/•SM•SD• RIC 6b (VI, Serdica)
2) B15, O35, R101, T66 Eagle in exergue RIC 5b (VI, Aquileia)
3) B15, O41, R042, T39, M02 Exe: •SMA` RIC 9 (VI, Antioch)
4) B15, O41, R042, T39, M02 Exe: SMA`* RIC 10 (VI, Antioch)
5) B15, O49, R043, T40, M13 Exe: SIS RIC 189 (VI, Siscia)

AR Argenteus
6) B15, O35, R087, T56 Exe: ` RIC 38b (VI, Roma)
7) B15, O35, R095, T56 Exe: ` RIC 42b (VI, Roma)
8) B15, O35, R095, T56 RIC 29b (VI, Roma)
9) B15, O36, R095, T04, M02 Exe: *ANT`* RIC 43b (VI, Antioch)
10) B15, O36, R095, T56, M05 Exe: H` RIC 4 (VI, Heraclea)
11) B15, O36, R101, T74, M03 Exe: AQ RIC 17b (VI, Aquileia)
12) B15, O39, R095, T04, M14 Exe: TS•`• C 223
13) B15, O39, R095, T56, M13 Exe: *SIS RIC 54 (VI, Sisicia)
14) B15, O39, R099, T05 Exe: •SM•`•
15) B15, O49, R095, T05, M16 Exe: `TR RIC 635 (VI, Treveri)

AE Medallion Reference(s)
16) B24, O16, R058, T44

AE Antoninianus (reduced)
17) B30, O16, R101, T67, M06 Exe: FK RIC 36 (VI, Carthage)
18) B30, O16, R101, T67, M15 Exe: ` RIC 42b (VI, Ticinum)
19) B30, O17, R011, T27, M04 Exe: K` RIC 19a (VI, Heraclea)
20) B30, O17, R011, T27, M05 Exe: H` RIC 16 (VI, Heraclea)
21) B30, O17, R050, T27 Exe: `/XXI RIC V 719

AE Follis
22) B15, O09, R003, T02, M01 Exe: ` over K/` over P/ALE RIC 133 (VI, Alexandria)
23) B15, O13, R032, T32, M04 Exe: `/*/MKV RIC 53 (VI, Cyzicus)
24) B15, O13, R032, T32, M04 Exe: `/;/MKV RIC 65 (VI, Cyzicus)
25) B15, O13, R032, T32, M04 Exe: `/MKV RIC 42 (VI, Cyzicus)
26) B15, O13, R032, T32, M12 Exe: */`/•SM•SD• RIC 35 (VI, Serdica)
27) B15, O13, R035, T32, M04 Exe: `/*/MKV RIC 56 (VI, Cyzicus)
28) B15, O13, R035, T32, M04 Exe: `/MKV RIC 44 (VI, Cyzicus)
29) B15, O13, R097, T59, M04 Exe: `/MKV RIC 47 (VI, Cyzicus)
30) B15, O13, R097, T59, M12 Exe: */`/•SM•SD• RIC 44 (VI, Serdica)
31) B15, O13, R097, T60, M04 Exe: `/*/MKV RIC 59 (VI, Cyzicus)
32) B15, O13, R097, T60, M04 Exe: `/;/MKV RIC 72 (VI, Cyzicus)
33) B15, O14, R038, T31 S B across fields
34) B15, O17, R031, T31, M04 Exe: K` RIC 9b (VI, Cyzicus)
35) B15, O17, R038, T31, M12 Exe: `/•SM•SD• RIC 4b (VI, Serdica)
36) B15, O17, R038, T32, M01 Exe: `/ALE RIC 15b (VI, Alexandria)
37) B15, O17, R038, T32, M01 Exe: XXI/`/ALE RIC 31b (VI, Alexandria)
38) B15, O17, R038, T32, M02 Exe: `/ANT• RIC 59b (VI, Antioch)
39) B15, O17, R038, T32, M02 Exe: K/` over V/ANT RIC 55b (VI, Antioch)
40) B15, O17, R038, T32, M05 Exe: HT` RIC 18b (VI, Heraclea)
41) B15, O17, R038, T32, M14 Exe: `/•TS• RIC 26b (VI, Thessalonica)
42) B15, O17, R038, T32, M14 Exe: `/TS RIC 24b (VI, Thessalonica)
43) B15, O17, R038, T32, M14 Exe: TS` RIC 20b (VI, Thessalonica)
44) B15, O17, R038, T32, M14 Exe: TS`• RIC 22b (VI, Thessalonica)
45) B15, O17, R042, T41, M01 Exe: S/` over P/ALE RIC 43 (VI, Alexandria)
46) B15, O19, R032, T32, M14 Exe: */`/•SM•TS• RIC 30a (VI, Thessalonica)
47) B15, O20, R033, T32, M09 Exe: SMN` RIC 54a (VI, Nicomedia)
48) B15, O20, R035, T32, M01 Exe: K/` over P/ALE RIC 101a (VI, Alexandria)
49) B15, O20, R035, T32, M02 Exe: ` over C/ANT• RIC 95 (VI, Antioch)
50) B15, O20, R035, T32, M02 Exe: O over `/ANT RIC 112 (VI, Antioch)
51) B15, O20, R035, T32, M05 Exe: */HT` RIC 48a (VI, Heraclea)
52) B15, O20, R035, T32, M05 Exe: `/HT` RIC 53a (VI, Cyzicus)
53) B15, O20, R035, T32, M05 Exe: •HT`• RIC 37a (VI, Heraclea)
54) B15, O20, R038, T31, M12 Exe: `/•SM•SD• RIC 12b (VI, Serdica)
55) B15, O20, R038, T32, M04 Exe: */K` RIC 27a (VI, Cyzicus)
56) B15, O20, R038, T32, M04 Exe: K` RIC 20b (VI, Cyzicus)
57) B15, O20, R038, T32, M04 Exe: MK` RIC 36 (VI, Cyzicus)
58) B15, O20, R038, T32, M05 Exe: HT` RIC 24b (VI, Heraclea)
59) B15, O20, R095, T05, M04 Exe: MK` RIC 39 (VI, Cyzicus)
60) B15, O20, R096, T59, M05 Exe: */HT` RIC 51 (VI, Heraclea)
61) B15, O24, R024, T11, M15 Exe: `T RIC 59b (VI, Ticinum)
62) B15, O24, R024, T11, M15 Exe: •/`T RIC 55b (VI, Ticinum)
63) B15, O30, R025, T11, M03 Exe: AQ` RIC 60b (VI, Aquileia)
64) B15, O30, R032, T31, M13 Exe: `/`/SIS RIC 198a (VI, Siscia)
65) B15, O41, R038, T31, M03 Exe: AQ` RIC 24b (VI, Aquileia)
66) B15, O41, R038, T31, M11 Exe: R/S/` RIC 73b (VI, Roma)
67) B15, O41, R038, T31, M13 Exe: `/*SIS RIC 90b (VI, Siscia)
68) B15, O41, R072, T43, M03 Exe: VI/AQ` RIC 36b (VI, Aquileia)
69) B15, O41, R072, T43, M13 Exe: */`/SIS RIC 135b (VI, Siscia)
70) B15, O41, R072, T43, M13 Exe: `/*SIS RIC 133b (VI, Siscia)
71) B15, O41, R073, T43, M11 Exe: */R` RIC 104b (VI, Roma)
72) B15, O41, R074, T43, M03 Exe: AQ` RIC 32b (VI, Aquileia)
73) B15, O41, R074, T43, M15 Exe: `T• RIC 46b (VI, Ticinum)
74) B15, O41, R077, T06, M06 Exe: ` RIC 32b (VI, Carthago)
75) B16, O41, R038, T33, M08 Exe: */`LG RIC 180b (VI, Lugdunum)
76) B19, O41, R038, T31 RIC 15 (VI, Londinium)
77) B19, O45, R038, T31, M16 Exe: S/F/`TR RIC 594b (VI, Treveri)
78) B24, O45, R038, T31, M07 RIC 34 (VI, Londinium)

AE Follis (Posthumous)
79) B31, O04, R026, T15, M13 Exe: `/SIS RIC 226 (VII, Siscia)
80) B31, O06, R056, T55, M14 Exe: `/•SM•TS• RIC 48 (VII, Thessalonica)
81) B31, O26, R002, T54, M11 Exe: RE` RIC 255 (VII, Rome)

AE Quinarius
82) B13, O39, R091, T21

Galerius Busts

Galerius Types