This anonymous small quarter follis was formerly attributed to the period of Julian II, but subsequent scholarship by Johan van Heesch has demonstrated it was issued c. 311-312 as part of The Great Persecution of Christians in the east by Diocletian, Galerius, and Maximinus II Daia. A series of anonymous coins featuring pagan subjects was struck at the cities of Antioch, Nicomedia, and Alexandria. This one was struck at Antioch, which issued five types, four featuring the Tyche of Antioch and Apollo (see this amazingly educational thread by David@PCC), and this one, featuring Jupiter and Victoria. They are found with a variety of officinae and control marks, which suggest the output was large and complex. The image of Jupiter on this issue may be modeled after the statue of Zeus Nikephoros of the Temple of Apollo at Daphne which Antiochus IV commissioned for his great festival of 167 B.C. The series is not listed in RIC. Post any coins you have of this series or anything you feel is relevant! Anonymous issue under Maximinus II. Roman billon quarter follis, 1.23 g, 14.3 mm, 11 h. Antioch, AD 311-312. Obv: IOVI CONS-ERVATORI, Jupiter seated left, holding globe and scepter. Rev: VICTOR-IA AVGG, Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm; ANT in exergue, Γ in right field. Refs: RCV 14932; Van Heesch 2; Cohen (Julian II) 53; Vagi 2955. Notes: Ex @dougsmit collection.
I didn't know about the Jupiter obverse type until fairly recently, I have added it to "the list"! Here is the my Tyche/Apollo combo. Time of Maximinus II, Antioch Civic Issue O: GENIO ANTIOCHENI. Tyche seated facing, river-god Orontes swimming below. R: APOLLONI SANCTO. Apollo standing left, holding patera and lyre; Z in right field, SMA in exergue. 15 mm, 1.4g
Fascinating thread already @Roman Collector - here's one of Anubis struck in Alexandria, probably one of the latest depictions of Isis and Anubis because shortly thereafter the old gods were submerged by a tide of Christianity.
Mine, from the Workshop of Death! ANONYMOUS CIVIC COINAGE AE Quarter-Follis. 1.09g, 16.1mm. Antioch mint, circa AD 312. RIC -; Vagi 2955. O: IOVI CONS-ERVATORI, Jupiter seated left, holding globe and sceptre. R: VICTOR-IA AVGG, Victory standing left, holding wreath; Δ in left field, Є in right field; ANT in exergue. The 'Festival of Isis' issues were actually struck at Rome, from the time of Diocletian through every Christian emperor up to at least Valentinian II, which makes the use of Egyptian themes and deities even more intriguing.
I believe all of these issues 'persecution' as well as FOI were made for use in festivals. I don't see another reason for making these small denominations that were only intended to be circulated locally. As far as mintage numbers, I believe they are very small compared to other types from the period.
I have a web site on these anonymous coins: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/MaximinusII/ Here is one from my page: 17 mm. No legend, either side. Veiled and turreted head of Tyche right Apollo standing left holding patera and lyre. The reverse is similar to the reverse of the previous type, suggesting it is from Antioch. Vagi 2957. van Heesch type 5, plate 11.8 (2 examples) [This type without legend was first published, as unique, in August 1986 in the sale catalog Elsen 91, lot 366] Vagi 2956, van Heesch type 4, plate 11.4 has the same designs on both sides, however with legends on both sides: GENIO CIVITATVS/APOLLOINI SANCTO, confirming the similarity with the previous reverse.
Actually the coin below is a die match for your 2957 and DOES link it to the other APOLLOINI SANCTO's. If you haven't already I suggest you read my page on these. Civic coinage of Antioch Summer 312 AD Antioch mint Obvs: GENIO ANTIOCHENI, Draped veiled and turreted bust right of Tyche of Antioch. Revs: APOLLONI SANCTO, Apollo standing left holding lyre and patera. ε in right field, SMA in ex. AE 15x17mm, 1.50g Ref: Vagi -; Van Heesch -; McAlee 172a Note: Porus surface with deposits and crystallization. Possibly second known. This type was first recorded in 2010 with a new obverse legend.
Here are a couple of mine. Also struck at Antioch during Maximinus II reign. Civic and anonymous. The first has Tyche seated with Apollo standing(reverse). The second has Jupiter seated with Victory standing(reverse).
Some of ou know I have been working on a set by officina of the two common ones. I still lack The Jupiter type for officina E. Like this but without the delta which makes it shop nine:
I haven't done much with these but I do have the two common types, and this one to show which van Heesch groups as a type 6a at 16mm, 1.54g from Alexandria. DEO SANCTO SARAPIDI, head of Sarapis wearing modius to right DEO SANCTO NILO, Nilus reclining facing left, holds reed in r hand, and cornucopia in l. ALE in exerga but without specified officina.
Here is the description that I believe it came with: Maximinus Daia 305 / 310-313 Follis 312, Antioch 1.75 g. Pseudoautonomous coinage of Antiochia ad Orontem. Statue of the city deity Antioch on river god Orontes, GENIO ANTIOCHENI / Apollo stands with Lyra to the left, APPOLONI SANCTO, SMA. RIC - Kampmann - Belageste, almost very beautiful
I have never seen one with that much robe detail on Apollo. It seems odd that the design is nothing like mine with robe detail. My S officina is too worn to help.