I am a fan of big tetrarchal folles. Severus II (305-306-307) became Caesar in 305 in the second tetrarchy and participated in the GENIO POPVLI ROMANI series as Caesar from 305-306 and as Augustus from 306-307. I just got one as Caesar from the Serdica mint (my iPad photo, which is a bit better than the seller's photo): 27 mm. 9.54 grams. FL VAL SEVERVS NOB CAESAR RIC VI Serdica 13a Sear IV 14633 (with a different portrait style--curly hair). Show us anything you wish to!
Coins of Severus II were part of an interesting sub-series of small Genio Coins from Siscia. I think the current assumption is that they are 1/4 nummi (or folli). I don't think anyone knows for certain why they were issued and/or why only at Siscia. I supposed it's possible that they were some sort of donative, but that's only a guess. They are relatively scarce, but do not seem to be in great demand--probably because their full-sized counterparts are more impressive--and do not command much of a premium, if any. Here's one example: Severus II, as Caesar Bronze 1/4 Nummus Siscia mint, A.D. 305-306 Obv: FL VAL SEVERVS NOB C Rev: GENIO POPV-LI ROMANI - Genius, modius on head, naked but for chlamys hanging from shoulder, holding patera and cornucopiae SIS in exergue RIC 170a 19mm, 2.3g.
Valentinian, That's an unusually nice portrait from the Serdica Mint . I like the big folles too & managed to score some nice ones 5-10 years ago before the prices started to escalate. Below are two of Severus II as Caesar. The 1st one is from the Lugdunum Mint, 27 mm, 8.40 gm (rather light). The 2nd one is much scarcer from the Rome Mint, & in choice condition.
Severus II is a tough cookie; arguably the toughest of any of the Tetrarchs, save for the usurpers. As Caesar under Constantius I, Carthage mint As Augustus, Heraclea Mint (Got a killer deal because Savoca neglects titles in their Blue auctions!)
I'll add Cyzicus to the mix. Obv:– FL VAL SEVERVS NOB CAES, laureate head right Rev:– GENIO AVGG ET CAESARVM N N, Genius standing left holding patera & cornucopia Minted in Cyzicus (//KA). A.D. 305-306 Reference:– RIC VI Cyzicus 20a
maridvnvm, Just for comparison here's another follis from the same mint & workshop . Your coin has the longer & more desirable reverse inscription. I had my coin slabbed years ago to preserve the silvering . Weight 9.24 gm.
Here's my 1/4 folle from Siscia, yeah I agree that these coins were not terribly common. Severus II, Quarter Follis Obverse: SEVERVS NOB C, Laureate head right Reverse: GENIO POPVLI ROMANI, Genius Standing left, modius on head, naked except for chamlys over left shoulder, holding patera and cornucopia. 19mm, approximately 3 gm, A.D. 305-306 Reference: RIC VI, Siscia 171a
SEVERUS II Quarter Follis OBVERSE: SEVERVS NOB C, laureate head right REVERSE: GGENIO POPVLI ROMANI, Genius standing left, modius on head, with chlamys over l. shoulder, patera & cornucopiae; SIS in ex. Struck at Siscia 305-6 AD 2.3g, 20mm RIC VI Siscia 171a
My two Severus II, Follis Obv: IMP.C.FL.VAL.SEVERVS.P.F. Laureate head right Rev: GENIO.POPVLI.ROMANI. Genius stg. l. with A in r. field. struck at Antioch between 306-307 A.D. Quarter Follis Obv: SEVERVS.NOB.C. Laureate head right Rev: GENIO.POPVLI.ROMANI. Genius stg. l. struck at Siscia between 305-306 A.D.
Nice examples, everyone! For some reason, I find the tetrarchy coins charming. I have Severus II both as a big follis and as the quarter follis from Siscia: Severus II, Roman Empire, AE silvered Follis, 305–306 AD, Heraclea mint. Obv: FL VAL SEVERVS NOBIL CAES; laureate bust of Severus II r. Rev: GENIO POBVLI ROMANI; Genius of the Roman People standing l., holding patera and cornucopiae; in exergue, HTS. 28mm, 11.24g. Ref: RIC VI Heraclea 25,S. Severus II, Roman Empire, AE quarter-follis, 305–306 AD, Siscia mint. Obv: FL VAL SEVERVS NOB C; laureate bust of Severus II r. Rev: GENIO POBVLI ROMANI; Genius of the Roman People standing l., holding patera and cornucopiae; in exergue, SIS. 19mm, 2.46g. Ref: RIC VI Siscia 170a.
Mind as well throw my new one in this list. Severus II (305 - 307 A.D.) Æ Follis O:SEVERVS NOB C, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. R: GENIO POP-VLI ROMANI, Genius standing left, holding patera and cornucopiae; altar left, star right: PLC in exeergue. Lugdunum (Lyon) mint 8.83g 39mm RIC VI 193 Ex CNG Electric Auction, Lot 372, 1/10/2008 Ex. Gordon s. Perry Collection
