A couple of days ago I won the scarce follis of Galerius pictured below from CNG 477 . Despite the doubling on the reverse the coin is in excellent condition with a trace of silvering, Galerius sports a handsome portrait & the coin is heavy for the type. I believe only Galerius & Constantius I, of the original Tetrarchy, issued this coin type in the large size follis. Maximian issued this coin type, post abdication, in a slightly smaller version, & that coin type is rare & expensive. Several years ago I scored a gem-grade example of this coin type picturing Constantius I, posted below. Galerius as Augustus, AD 305-311 (struck circa AD 305), Ticinum Mint, 1st Officina, Billon Follis: 29 mm, 11.54 gm, 6 h. RIC VI, 55b. Ex Benito Collection. Photo courtesy of CNG
Mine looks the same as your Galerius above. The reverse is different though. I have mine attributed to Maximinus II. Help please. Am I wrong?
Inspector43, Your coin is a follis of Maximinus II picturing Sol on the reverse, Rome Mint, 4th Officina, struck AD 312- 313 . What a shame someone went crazy trying to clean the coin .
I appreciate your comment about cleaning. Yes, it could be better. But, I am a 77 year old amateur and all the coins in my ancient collection have been cleaned by me. I don't seek out fine examples to purchase and display. I think I am getting better as time goes on. I will do some touch up on this one. Plus, I think it looks much better than as found as shown below.
Inspector43, Your coin was nearly unrecognizable before cleaning ! In light of that what you uncovered is remarkable . The less abrasion you can use to clean a coin the better .
Terrific purchase @Al Kowsky ! It’s rather difficult to find tetrarchic folles in that condition (well at least in my experience )... Your Constantius is phenomenal! I recently won a Constantius follis in CNG 115, though it is from a different mint and not as perfect as yours.
The problem I see here is cleaning extremely can muddle the ID of the coin. In this case I read IMP MAX____NVSPFAVG. In the gap is either IMI or IMIA but what I believe was the M was cut down the middle making it hard to read. I believe IMI is correct but, if the A was erased, the coin was Galerius. The ID of the MAX coins is always a stumbling point for new collectors. My page: http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/max.html
gogili1977, Thanks for posting . Your Maximianus follis has an unusually nice reverse of Fides . I notice your Constantius I follis has a dot in the right field like my two coins. Does anyone know the significance of the dot ?