Maximian Follis (Trier) Modius or Towered?

I’m pleased to share my latest acquisition, a follis of Maximian struck at Trier. The coin itself has a glossy, dark patina and good preservation of details (nice enough that I worry it might not be genuine, though I have nothing else to base this on and little experience myself).




I believe it is RIC 504 or 516b, and I’d appreciate any confirmation or correction.


The reverse on RIC 504 is described as ‘modius on head’ and on RIC 516b it is described as ‘head towered’. I originally thought it was 504 (modius), but an example of 516b (towered) on WildWinds appears to be an obverse die match and the "crown" on the reverse appears to be a similar size and appearance:



I'd appreciate any feedback and correction on my initial thoughts of the coin.

Please share your coins of Trier, the Tetrarchy or anything you feel is relevant.

 

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I have one Maximianus from Cyzicus mint:

 

Looks like a fine coin to me, AU, if at all. Those with more knowledge than I on these types will chime in soon, I'm sure.. I have a similar Max coin( i have mine listed as a Maxmininus?)

 

Here's the listing in RIC. The footnote explains it is difficult to distinguish between the modius and the turreted head but that the modius ones are "noticeably less common."

 

This one of Maximinus II (Daia) shows Genius with a modius:


Maximinus II Daia, AD 309-313, as Augustus
Roman Æ follis; 21.4 mm, 4.88 g, 12 h
Antioch, AD 312
Obv: IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS P F AVG, laureate head, right
Rev: GENIO AVGVSTI, Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, holding head of Sol and cornucopiae; *|Z //ANT
Refs: RIC 164b; Cohen 21; RCV 14840.

 

Interesting. I was just cruising through CNG's archives to sample the headgear. I'd never appreciated any difference. Looking at the Maximian Genius folles in CNG's archives, it looks like there are more modius heads.

Edited: I was looking at all of the Maximian Genius mints, not just Trier. Narrowed down to Trier, the number of turreted heads increases.

Edited again: A hasty count of the Maximian Genius Trier folles shows the turret heads outnumbering the modius heads ~2 to 1. However, some of the coins I put in the turret category may have just been wide modiuses. Interestingly, most of the modius heads were in the e-auction section while the coin shop had mostly turreted heads, and the print auction had few of either. From that I postulate that the turreted head coins are more common in higher grade, for whatever reason-- or else that is just an artifact of a small sample size .

Is the OP coin a turret or a modius? I counted that style with the turrets in my little survey, although they aren't as turret-y as some.

 

haha! i go into the kitchen to clean the table and pick up a plastic bag and it has this coin in it of the dude..and i know i have another somewhere with the reverse holding a victory..smh.. idk about the 'modius operandi" but.. the note that came with it says Galerius Maximinus Ae Follis, Heracles reverse NOTE: i have been informed by RC that this is a Genius reverse..and that is also who it represents

 

..is Maximian Maximinus?!?...please please tell me now...

 

LOL! More like MaximiAnus, Genius reverse!

 

>< ahaha!..well, to be fair the seller(12 or so years ago) put a question mark in parentheses after it so i guess he wasn't sure...(maximiAnus)..ok RC, i'll made a new note, thanks!

 

I thought it might be worthwhile showing some clearly turreted example for comparison.

 

RIC VI, Londinium, No. 85/90, Maximian Herculius as Augustus emerged from retirement:
CT (Cloke & Toone), No. 5.04.001, AD 307-310, Rarity: CC


DN MAXIMIANO PFS AVG ................................... GENIO - POP ROM
PLN in reverse exergue

The only differention in RIC Volume VI between No. 85 and No.90 is that the personification of Genius on the reverse wears a modius on his head in No. 85 and a towered headdress on No. 90 (his loins are draped on both). I have always found it difficult to discern the difference on worn reverses. I believe Genius is wearing a modius on his head here.
Reduced follis.
Laureate, cuirassed, bust.
Genius with draped loins.
7.9 gm.

 

Thanks all for sharing some fine examples. At this stage, I'm leaning more towards RIC 516b with the turreted headdress. Though the headdress is not as clear in my coin as in the examples @maridvnvm posted, the turreted types seem to be broader. Though as @Roman Collector's quote from RIC states 'The difference between the [modius] and [towered headdress] is often very hard to make...'. As a next step I'll be trying to track down other examples of RIC 504, 516b, or similar types for comparison.

As no one has commented on the similarities between my coin and the example on WildWinds I'll take that as a sign that perhaps I shouldn't be concerned about them.

 

Here's my Herculis:





On this one I would guess a modius on the head, though it could be turreted. This one was a nice gift of @jamesicus - thanks again!

 

They appear to be from the same dies. Which is a good thing in this case.

 

Huh..i've had to go back and do some who's who refreshing on these coins and fellows.. it's a good thing cause i sometimes forget and there is much to remember(and more emperors to get)

 

Yes, it can be hard to tell your Maximians, from your Maxentius, from your Maximinus... then you add in the usurpers... the self-proclaimed Caesars and Augusti... Emperors who abdicate then return to rule (I’m looking at you Maximianus!)...

It’s a fascinating period, but it can be a challenge to untangle the chronology.

 

@Daniel_R6 i was over unger & he was under dunn..

 

Lucinius minted in Trier, and bought in Trier.



Random low-grade LRB found in the river in Trier (Moselle?), likely as an offering. Also bought in Trier.



HUGE HONKIN’ PILE OF GOLD AURII found in Trier!



The Barbara Baths



The Imperial Baths:



The Roman Gate (Porta Nigra):



Constantine Basilica:



Roman grave monuments from Trier:

 

Great pictures @TypeCoin971793. A trip to Germany (and several other places in Europe) is on the bucket list.