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This bronze coin was issued during the reign of Galerius, who rose from military commander to become first a Caesar (junior emperor) and later Augustus (senior emperor) during the Tetrarchy period. These coins would have circulated throughout the eastern provinces he controlled, reflecting the administrative division of the empire introduced by Diocletian.
Coin Description:
Front side: Profile portrait of Galerius wearing either a laurel wreath (as Caesar) or radiate crown (as Augustus), with his name and titles in Latin
Back side: Likely displays typical Tetrarchic imagery such as military scenes, sacrifice scenes, or personifications of Roman virtues
Technical Details:
Bronze composition (copper alloy)
AE denomination (bronze coinage)
NGC certified (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation)
Minted between 293-311 CE in eastern imperial mints
Condition: Certified by NGC, specific grade not provided
Historical Significance: This coin represents the Tetrarchic period when the Roman Empire was systematically divided into administrative units under Diocletian's reforms. Initially appointed Caesar in the east under Diocletian, Galerius later became Augustus (senior emperor). He is particularly known for his severe persecution of Christians and later issuing the Edict of Toleration shortly before his death in 311 CE, which ended the persecutions. This policy shift helped pave the way for Constantine the Great's later embrace of Christianity.
This bronze coin was issued during the reign of Galerius, who rose from military commander to become first a Caesar (junior emperor) and later Augustus (senior emperor) during the Tetrarchy period. These coins would have circulated throughout the eastern provinces he controlled, reflecting the administrative division of the empire introduced by Diocletian.
Coin Description:
Front side: Profile portrait of Galerius wearing either a laurel wreath (as Caesar) or radiate crown (as Augustus), with his name and titles in Latin
Back side: Likely displays typical Tetrarchic imagery such as military scenes, sacrifice scenes, or personifications of Roman virtues
Technical Details:
Bronze composition (copper alloy)
AE denomination (bronze coinage)
NGC certified (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation)
Minted between 293-311 CE in eastern imperial mints
Condition: Certified by NGC, specific grade not provided
Historical Significance: This coin represents the Tetrarchic period when the Roman Empire was systematically divided into administrative units under Diocletian's reforms. Initially appointed Caesar in the east under Diocletian, Galerius later became Augustus (senior emperor). He is particularly known for his severe persecution of Christians and later issuing the Edict of Toleration shortly before his death in 311 CE, which ended the persecutions. This policy shift helped pave the way for Constantine the Great's later embrace of Christianity.
This bronze coin was issued during the reign of Galerius, who rose from military commander to become first a Caesar (junior emperor) and later Augustus (senior emperor) during the Tetrarchy period. These coins would have circulated throughout the eastern provinces he controlled, reflecting the administrative division of the empire introduced by Diocletian.
Coin Description:
Front side: Profile portrait of Galerius wearing either a laurel wreath (as Caesar) or radiate crown (as Augustus), with his name and titles in Latin
Back side: Likely displays typical Tetrarchic imagery such as military scenes, sacrifice scenes, or personifications of Roman virtues
Technical Details:
Bronze composition (copper alloy)
AE denomination (bronze coinage)
NGC certified (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation)
Minted between 293-311 CE in eastern imperial mints
Condition: Certified by NGC, specific grade not provided
Historical Significance: This coin represents the Tetrarchic period when the Roman Empire was systematically divided into administrative units under Diocletian's reforms. Initially appointed Caesar in the east under Diocletian, Galerius later became Augustus (senior emperor). He is particularly known for his severe persecution of Christians and later issuing the Edict of Toleration shortly before his death in 311 CE, which ended the persecutions. This policy shift helped pave the way for Constantine the Great's later embrace of Christianity.
Galerius Valerius Maximianus[j] (/ɡəˈlɛəriəs/; Greek: Γαλέριος; c. 258 – May 311) was Roman emperor from 305 to 311. While acting as Caesar under Emperor Diocletian, Galerius obtained victory warring against the Persian Sassanian Empire, defeating Narseh at the battle of Satala in 298 and possibly sacking the Sassanian capital of Ctesiphon in 299. He also campaigned across the Danube against the Carpi, defeating them in 297 and 300. Although he was a staunch opponent of Christianity, Galerius ended the Diocletianic Persecution when he issued the Edict of Toleration in Serdica (Sofia) in 311.
Galerius was born in the Danube provinces, either near Serdica[13] or at the place where he later built his palace named after his mother – Felix Romuliana (Gamzigrad).[14][15] Under this palace, an older villa has been found that is sometimes interpreted as Galerius' birthplace.[16] His Thracian father and his mother, Romula, had left Roman Dacia (today Romania) because of the Carpians' attacks.[17][18]: 19 He originally followed his father's occupation, that of a herdsman, where he was nicknamed "Armentarius", herdsman (Latin: armentum, lit. 'herd').[19] His original cognomen was "Maximinus", but he changed it to "Maximianus" after becoming Caesar.[4]