In 308 Maxentius held Italy and Africa. After a coup attempt in which his father Maximian tried to subvert some of his authority, Maximian was sent away in March-April. He would find refuge with Constantine in Trier, where his scheming would continue. In April 308 at Rome, Maxentius became consul for the first time, together with his son Romulus. Later that year, the revolt of Alexander broke out in Africa, leaving Maxentius essentially Augustus of just Italy. 308 is also the year when the Basilica of Maxentius began being built in the Forum of Rome: In November an attempt to save the Tetrarchy was made at the conference of Carnuntum, in which Maxentius was treated as an usurper and declared public enemy. Thus he found himself in the awkward position of being both consul of Rome and outlaw. To mark his consulship, Maxentius issued a dated coinage in April 308: AE27mm 6.76g follis, IMP MAXENTIVS P F AVG CONS; laureate and mantled (wearing decorated trabea) bust left, holding eagle-tipped sceptre. CONSERV VRB SVAE; Roma seated facing in hexastyle temple, head left, holding globe and sceptre. PT Ticinum mint. RIC VI Ticinum 103 Gitbud & Naumann, Auction 26, Lot 775 (2014) The type is supposed to be common, but seems to be somewhat scarce in reality. As with most dated issues during the Late Empire, it was likely minted for a short while to mark the consulship accession. Despite being damned at Carnuntum, Maxentius did manage to keep in power until 312, when he was deposed by Constantine, a sign of the waning power and sway of the Tetrarchy.
The obverse legend names Maxentius Augusts and Consul for the first time, thus dating this coin to April 308, when his first consulship began.
Very nice! Here's a CONS II from Aquileia. MAXENTIUS AE Follis. 6.44g, 25.3mm. Aquileia mint, circa AD 309. RIC VI Aquileia 125 var. (obv legend). O: IMP C MAXENTIVS P F AVG CONS II, laureate and mantled bust right, holding eagle-tipped sceptre. R: CONSERV VRB SVAE, a hexastyle temple with star in pediment and Victories as acroteria, within which is Roma seated facing, holding globe and sceptre; AQP in exergue. Notes: Obverse legend unlisted in RIC. Obv legend for RIC VI Aquileia 125 is IMP C MAXENTIVS P F AVG CONS II.
We've seen coins of Maxentius as Consul and as Consul twice. Here is one for him as consul for the third time: Maxentius 25-22 mm. 6.63 grams. IMP C MAXENTIVS PF AVG A common obverse design FEL PROCES CONS III AVG N Maxentius' ceremonial inaguration of his third consulship, Jan. 1, 310. Chariot draw by four elephants. Victory flying lef to crown Maxentius, the driver, in imperial robes. RIC VI Rome 217 "308-310," but struck more precisely for Jan. 310.
