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This bronze coin was issued under the authority of Emperor Maximian, who ruled as part of Rome's first Tetrarchy system. Minted in the late 3rd century CE, this coin circulated during a period of significant imperial reforms designed to stabilize the empire after decades of civil wars and economic crises.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of Emperor Maximian with a radiate crown (crown with sun rays), shown with a stern expression and military clothing, with Latin text identifying him as emperor
Back side: Likely depicts either a Roman deity (possibly Jupiter or Hercules, whom Maximian associated himself with) or personification of an imperial virtue like Victory or Peace
Technical Details:
Bronze alloy composition
Antoninianus denomination (originally silver-washed but often worn to reveal bronze underneath)
RIC (Roman Imperial Coinage) reference number not visible in description
NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) certified
Minted approximately 286-305 CE
Fine condition (significant wear consistent with circulation but main features remain identifiable)
Historical Significance:
This coin was issued during the reign of Maximian, who served as co-emperor in the western provinces alongside Diocletian in the east. Their Tetrarchy system (rule of four) was a novel political solution to governing the vast Roman Empire. As a tough military commander from humble origins in Pannonia (modern Hungary/Balkans region), Maximian helped restore stability to the western provinces after decades of military anarchy. These bronze coins circulated widely among common citizens and soldiers when the empire was implementing sweeping economic and administrative reforms, including Diocletian's price edict attempting to control inflation and standardize costs throughout the empire.
This bronze coin was issued under the authority of Emperor Maximian, who ruled as part of Rome's first Tetrarchy system. Minted in the late 3rd century CE, this coin circulated during a period of significant imperial reforms designed to stabilize the empire after decades of civil wars and economic crises.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of Emperor Maximian with a radiate crown (crown with sun rays), shown with a stern expression and military clothing, with Latin text identifying him as emperor
Back side: Likely depicts either a Roman deity (possibly Jupiter or Hercules, whom Maximian associated himself with) or personification of an imperial virtue like Victory or Peace
Technical Details:
Bronze alloy composition
Antoninianus denomination (originally silver-washed but often worn to reveal bronze underneath)
RIC (Roman Imperial Coinage) reference number not visible in description
NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) certified
Minted approximately 286-305 CE
Fine condition (significant wear consistent with circulation but main features remain identifiable)
Historical Significance:
This coin was issued during the reign of Maximian, who served as co-emperor in the western provinces alongside Diocletian in the east. Their Tetrarchy system (rule of four) was a novel political solution to governing the vast Roman Empire. As a tough military commander from humble origins in Pannonia (modern Hungary/Balkans region), Maximian helped restore stability to the western provinces after decades of military anarchy. These bronze coins circulated widely among common citizens and soldiers when the empire was implementing sweeping economic and administrative reforms, including Diocletian's price edict attempting to control inflation and standardize costs throughout the empire.
This bronze coin was issued under the authority of Emperor Maximian, who ruled as part of Rome's first Tetrarchy system. Minted in the late 3rd century CE, this coin circulated during a period of significant imperial reforms designed to stabilize the empire after decades of civil wars and economic crises.
Coin Description:
Front side: Portrait of Emperor Maximian with a radiate crown (crown with sun rays), shown with a stern expression and military clothing, with Latin text identifying him as emperor
Back side: Likely depicts either a Roman deity (possibly Jupiter or Hercules, whom Maximian associated himself with) or personification of an imperial virtue like Victory or Peace
Technical Details:
Bronze alloy composition
Antoninianus denomination (originally silver-washed but often worn to reveal bronze underneath)
RIC (Roman Imperial Coinage) reference number not visible in description
NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) certified
Minted approximately 286-305 CE
Fine condition (significant wear consistent with circulation but main features remain identifiable)
Historical Significance:
This coin was issued during the reign of Maximian, who served as co-emperor in the western provinces alongside Diocletian in the east. Their Tetrarchy system (rule of four) was a novel political solution to governing the vast Roman Empire. As a tough military commander from humble origins in Pannonia (modern Hungary/Balkans region), Maximian helped restore stability to the western provinces after decades of military anarchy. These bronze coins circulated widely among common citizens and soldiers when the empire was implementing sweeping economic and administrative reforms, including Diocletian's price edict attempting to control inflation and standardize costs throughout the empire.
Maximian (Latin: Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus; c. 250 – c. July 310), nicknamed Herculius,[4] was Roman emperor from 286 to 305. He was Caesar from 285 to 286, then Augustus from 286 to 305.[2] He shared the latter title with his co-emperor and superior, Diocletian, whose political brain complemented Maximian's military brawn. Maximian established his residence at Trier but spent most of his time on campaign. In late 285, he suppressed rebels in Gaul known as the Bagaudae. From 285 to 288, he fought against Germanic tribes along the Rhine frontier. Together with Diocletian, he launched a scorched earth campaign deep into Alamannic territory in 288, refortifying the frontier.
The man he appointed to police the Channel shores, Carausius, rebelled in 286, causing the secession of Britain and northwestern Gaul. Maximian failed to oust Carausius, and his invasion fleet was destroyed by storms in 289 or 290. Maximian's subordinate Constantius campaigned against Carausius' successor, Allectus, while Maximian held the Rhine frontier. The rebel leader was ousted in 296, and Maximian moved south to combat piracy near Hispania and Berber incursions in Mauretania. When these campaigns concluded in 298, he departed for Italy, where he lived in comfort until 305. At Diocletian's behest, Maximian abdicated on 1 May 305, gave the Augustan office to Constantius, and retired to southern Italy.