Galeria Valeria was the daughter of Diocletian and wife of Galerius. She was also the only female represented on coins during the Tetrarchy. Coins for her were struck only in the Eastern mints and Venus is the only reverse type. VENERI VICTRICI translates as "To Venus the Victorious" I recently got two nice examples. The first one has an unusual legend break on the obverse. There is a gap between V and G of AVG. Galeria Valeria A.D. 308-310 Ӕ follis 25mm 5.4g GAL VALERIA AV-G; Diademed and mantled bust right on crescent. VENERI VICTRICI; Venus holding up apple and raising drapery over left shoulder, crescent in left field, Γ in right. In ex. SIS RIC VI Siscia 211 Galeria Valeria A.D. 308-310 Ӕ follis 25mm 5.7g GAL VALERIA AVG; Diademed and mantled bust right. VENERI VICTRICI; Venus holding up apple and raising drapery over left shoulder, ✶ in left field, Δ in right. In ex. •SM•TS• RIC VI Thessalonica 36
Nice pickups @Victor_Clark I have one to contribute Galeria Valeria, AE follis of Thessalonica. AD 308-310. GAL VALE-RIA AVG, diademed and draped bust right, shoulders facing, wearing necklace / VENERI V-ICTRICI, Venus standing left, holding apple and raising drapery. Star in left field, Γ in right field. Mintmark dot SM dot TS dot. RIC VI Thessalonica 36; Sear 14592. 25 mm, 6,08 g
Very nice pair of coins! No dissing intended upon Galeria, but just as an observation: Her portrait profile on the Siscia example looks subtly masculine. Strong jaw, with what almost appears as a mustache. The Thessalonica portrait looks slightly more feminine: Here's an example I have with very similar devices, legend, and fabric - but from Cyzicus.
Great coins, Victor. My only coin depicting her. Galeria Valeria (293 - 311 A.D.) Æ Follis O: GAL VAL-ERIA AVG, diademed and draped bust right. R: VENERI V-ICTRICI, Venus standing facing, head left, holding up apple and raising drapery; K-Γ/P, ALE in exergue. Alexandria Mint 23mm 6.85g RIC VI 110
Bronze coin (AE Follis) minted at Thessalonica during the reign of GALERIUS between 308-311 A.D. for his wife GALERIA VALERIA Obv. GAL.VALERIA.AVG. Diademed and draped bust r. Rev. VENERI.V-ICTRICI. Venus standing facing, head l., holding up apple, l. raising drapery over l. shoulder. RCS #3730. RICVI #35 pg. 514. DVM #3.
