MAXIMIANUS AD 286-305

AE Follis. 9.97g, 28.3mm MINTED: Heraclea mint, AD 294 REF: RIC VI Heraclea 12b OBVERSE: IMP C M A MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, laureate head right. REVERSE: GENIO POPV-L-I ROMANI, Genius standing left, holding patera in right hand and cornucopiae in left; HΓin exergue.

Notes:  Attractive green patina. Minor pitting and traces of underlying surface silvering still intact.   A pleasing example of the type of full size and weight.   

Provenance: 

Acquired from Gitbud-Naumann, 27 July 2013.

Historical Notes: Maximianus, also known as Maximian or Maximianus Herculius, was an acclaimed Roman general who was made co-emperor by his close friend and ally Diocletian when the latter ascended to the throne. When Diocletian decided to retire in 305 after 21 years of rule, he enjoined Maximianus to do the same so that their respective Caesars, Galerius and Constantius I, could take their places and rule the empire. Maximianus was reluctant to abdicate, and in 306, urged on by his son, Maxentius to join his revolt against the legitimate emperors, Maximianus took the purple for the second time. He was forced to retire again in 308, but in 310, he declared himself Augustus in rebellion against Constantine I. His third reign lasted mere months, and when captured by Constantine, he was forced to commit suicide.