Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Gavin Richardson, post: 6362426, member: 83956&quot;]This query was prompted by an email exchange I&#039;ve been having with [USER=10613]@Victor_Clark[/USER]. It concerns this coin. (Not mine by the way. A coin from Lucernae. I really need to pick up an example of this type.)</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1251889[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>It is a SOLI INVICTO COMITI coin with a captive at the feet of Sol. Typically this reverse type does not feature the captive; the variation is believed to refer to Constantine’s defeat of Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312. The coin was struck at western mints for Constantine, Maximinus Daia, and Licinius.</p><p><br /></p><p>Constantine and Licinius were allied at the time, so this shared numismatic motif might not be surprising for them. The inclusion of Maximinus Daia is problematic because Maximinus was allied with Maxentius. He certainly would have taken no joy in Constantine&#039;s victory.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #ff0000">So why was this coin celebrating Constantine’s victory over Maxentius struck for an ally of Maxentius?</span> Two possibilities come to mind:</p><p><br /></p><p>1. This coin is antagonistic. Without Maximinus’s permission or consent, Constantine or his mint supervisors struck the coin as if to say, “Like it or not, Constantine won. You have to get with the program now, Maximinus. And we&#039;re going to make everyone think you <u>are</u> with the program by striking this coin in your name.”</p><p><br /></p><p>2. This coin is an offering of an alliance--perhaps some wishful thinking that with Maxentius out of the picture, Maximinus might get on board with the other two. It&#039;s an invitation of sorts. Maybe not quite a peace offering, but a gesture of inclusion.</p><p><br /></p><p>Would anyone else like to join me in some idle speculation about why Constantine would strike this reverse type for Maximinus Daia?[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in