Picked up this Maxentius temple coin at the recent Leu Auction 7, as a few of you probably noticed I have been busy with late Roman architectural coins for the last year as I had largely ignored them while busy chasing earlier harder to get types. But in saying so I am extremely fussy as it is such a large market, so I look for features or even better condition as a precursor to purchase. Now these type with she-wolf and twins in pediment along with Maxentius with foot on captive although common can be pricey as the grade gets higher, this one is good VF but with a nice thin layer of silvering both sides giving the coin a light sparkly look very pleased, (the pic doesn't do it justice) I would expect a few others have nice Maxentius temple coins and would love to see them. Maxentius, 307-312. Follis (Silvered bronze, 25 mm, 6.77 g, 7 h), Aquileia, late summer 307. IMP C MAXENTIVS P F AVG Laureate head of Maxentius to right. Rev. CONSERV VRBS SVAE / AQΓ Roma seated left within tetrastyle temple, holding scepter and handing globe to Maxentius standing right, holding scepter; seated captive between; Victories as acroteria, she-wolf and twins in pediment. RIC 113. Good very fine. From the S. Pozzi Collection, privately purchased from K. Alber on 16 January 1973 and previously acquired from G. Brosi, Basel.
@Ancient Aussie I DO like your Maxentius, very much, (esp. the silvering). Here is one of mine that has a Temple on it. MAXENTIUS BILLION FOLLIS RIC VI. Rome 202a
Despite its doubling and flat spots, the wolf pediment is my favorite Maxentius. It is AQP. There are several others that have some appeal. I doubt the cross is Christian.
Very nice, AA! The reverse is wonderfully detailed and the she-wolf and twins look very cosy in that pediment.
This one has a disco dance party going on the pediment: Maxentius as Augustus, AD 307-312. Roman billon follis, 6.53 g, 24.6 mm, 10 h. Rome, AD 307-308. Obv: IMP C MAXENTIVS P F AVG, radiate head right. Rev: CONSERV VRB SVAE, Roma seated facing in hexastyle temple, head left, globe in right hand, scepter in left, shield at side behind, Victories as acroteria, wreath on pediment, H left, R S in exergue. Refs: RIC 202a; Cohen 21; RCV 14986.
Sadly no Maxentius to show, the only Temple type I have from the period is a rough Constantine as Caesar from the London Mint. An interesting coin that shows the convoluted politics going on at the time. Obv - FLVALCONSTANTINUSNOBC Rev - ROMAE AETER RIC vi 99, London. 4.35g, 23mm. Rare.
Two great detailed Maxentius you have there Doug, unusual pediment filler the cross, don't think I have seen one before.
@ Master Doug. Is it possible that the engraver was Christian and enthusiastic enough to dare and post the Cross on a coin of Maxentius ? Remember that the Roman Empire was witnessing fierce conflict between Constantine and many other non Christian rulers such as Maxentius. Please accept this possibility as a mere modest opinion.
Certainly it is possible but crosses were not the primary Christian symbol until several years later. On the other hand you certainly would get caught using a chi-rho or fish so a cross would be more likely survivable. I can't sign on to that reading but that does not make it impossible.
Thanks zumbly, I like the obverse on yours, his chin looks quite a bit different to most I have seen. Very nice.
Wow a nice coin @Ancient Aussie! Mine is not quite as detailed but includes an interesting variation on the type. On the temple roof corners, mine includes "male figures with torches as acroteria instead of Victories." I'm not sure exactly what this is all about, the "torches" look like human sized fountain pens to me... but it's a rare variation that is fun.