In 303 the two Tetrarchic Augusti announced their intention to simultaneously abdicate and retire (Maximianus somewhat reluctantly), their titles and authority to be assumed by the two Caesars, who in turn would appoint new Caesars thus perpetuating the system. Diocletian and Maximianus did in fact abdicate and retire together in 305. This unreduced follis, struck by Constantius (Caesar of the west) in the name of Diocletian, commemorates the abdication with wishes for a quiet and peaceful retirement in which to enjoy their status as senior Augusti. Obverse: Diocletian, laureate bust facing right draped with Imperial mantle DN DIOCLETIANO FELICISSIMO SEN AVG Reverse: Diocletian and Maximianus wearing Imperial garments standing and facing each other PROVIDENTIA DEORVM QVIES AVGG RIC Volume VI, Londinium, No. 77
@7Calbrey: Galerius was Caesar of the East. I do offer a detailed discussion at: http://jp29.org/ctet.htm
Thank you JS. I just picked up 2 coins representing the abdicating Maximianus and the remaining Galerius. I chose them from my old folder.
Love those abdication follis. Here's my only one, for Maximianus at Serdica mint : Maximianus, Abdication Follis Serdica mint, 1st officina, AD 305-306 DN MAXIMIANO FELICISSIMO SEN AVG, laureate bust right, wearing imperial mantle, holding mappa and olive branch PROVIDENTIA DEORVM QUIES AVGG, Quies and Providentia, facing each other, S | F in field, .SM.SD. at exergue, officina A 10,70 gr Ref : Cohen #489, RCV # 13408 (220), RIC VI # 15b Q
huh, another history lesson for me. i'll have to look, i may have some coins of this type. kool thread and postings.
Another abdicator--less famous--was Vetranio, who abdicated the throne so that Constantius II could assume the position. Vetranio AD 350 Roman AE maiorina; 4.77 g, 24mm Siscia, AD 350 Obv: D N VETRA-NIO P F AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; A to left Rev: CONCORDIA MILITVM, Vetranio standing left, holding labarum in each hand; star above; A to left; in exergue: •ΓSIS✷ Refs: RIC 281; LRBC 1168; Cohen 1; RCV 18903
WOW, great coins! I do NOT have an Abdication, and now very interested. That is a great example @jamesicus ! I have the players but not the Abdication Coins: DIOCLETIAN: RI Diocletian Ӕ Quinarius 1.46g 16mm Rome AD 284-305 IOVI CONSERVAT AVGG, Jupiter stndng thunderbolt sceptre RARE RIC 193 MAXIMIANUS: RI MAXIMIANUS HERCULIUS 286-305 CE antoninianus Antioch 292-295 CE CONCORDIA MILITVM Jupiter H-officina 8 VETRANIO: RI Vetranio 350 CE AE3 17mm Siscia mint Emp stdng hldg Standard and Spear
This is the favourite of the abdication folles I have bought thus far:- Diocletian - Follis Obv:– D N DIOCLETIANO FELICISSIMO SEN AVG, laureate bust right in imperial mantle, olive branch in right hand, mappa in left Rev:– PROVIDENTIA DEORVM QVIES AVGG, Providentia standing right, extending right hand to Quies standing left, branch upward in right hand, vertical sceptre in left Minted in Cyzicus (not Trier) ( S | F / KS //PTR) Reference:– RIC VI Trier 677a (R) (see notes) Notes:- This is perhaps one of the most unusual issues in the entire follis series. It is nearly always attributed to Trier (Treveri), but a comparison of portrait styles and an examination of follis hoards reveals that this issue was not struck in Trier but in Cyzicus. Two officinae struck this issue, and the KS in the field between the two figures is actually the mintmark, not the PTR. A look at the coins of Cyzicus (RIC 22-23) shows that the same two officinae struck this issue without the PTR also. The Senior Augustus issues of Diocletian and Maximianus were struck at every mint currently in operation. Apparently, the first coins of this type were prepared at Trier and examples were sent to the various mints for the individual mints to copy. At Cyzicus, the die engravers copied everything, including the Trier mintmark and put their own mintmark in the field. Eventually someone soon realized the mistake and new dies were prepared with the mintmark in its proper location.
Here is a slightly later Max Herc issue. from Cyzicus Maximianus Herculius - Follis Obv:– D N MAXIMIANO FELICISSIMO SEN AVG, laureate bust right in imperial mantle, olive branch in right hand, mappa in left Rev:– PROVIDENTIA DEORVM QVIES AVGG, Providentia standing right, extending right hand to Quies standing left, branch upward in right hand, vertical sceptre in left Minted in Cyzicus (S | F // KD). A.D. 305-306 Reference:- RIC VI Cyzicus 23b (Scarce)
Ticinum Rome I also have some where thay are just designated P F S AVG from Trier QVIES and the more usual GENIO POP ROM
My post abdication folles for Diocletian (top) and Maximian (bottom), minted at Trier and Kyzicus, respectively:
