An interesting error on the obvserse legend of a follis of Galerius from Alexandria

Hi,

This is a regular early follis struck for Galerius, but with a nice quirk, an interesting obverse legend error:



AE27x26mm 10.68g copper silvered follis, minted at Alexandria, first group, second coinage, cca. 295.
GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS NOB CAVS; laureate head right
GENIO POPV - L - I ROMANI; Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, right hand holding pathera from where liquor flows, left hand holding cornucopia; * in left field, B in right field.
ALE
cf. RIC VI Alexandria 17b (obverse legend error)


The error on the obverse legend CAVS instead of CAES could be put in connection with the fact that the new Imperial coinage had just been introduced in 294 and for Alexandria, which used to mint Egyptian coinage in a closed monetary system, the new reform of Diocletian was something completely new, and likely confusing.

It is very possible that the error, like a similar one noted in NotInRIC (see here) is due to the lack of familiarity by the die cutters, mostly of Greek language and script, with the Latin language and alphabet.

Another possibility is a contemporary forgery, as Alexandria had one of the most forged coinage during the Tetrarchy, many molds used to cast folles being discovered in Egypt in huge numbers. The soft details and the overall appearance could indicate a cast forgery, but that can also be accounted by the wear and corrosion.


I have noticed a revival of interest in the Tetrarchy coinage here lately, so please post any Tetrarchy coin you see fit. If possible, error coins would be a bonus.

 

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Another from Alexandria:

Diocletian (A.D. 284-305) AE Follis

Weight: 6.90 grams

Diameter: 23 mm

Mint: Follis struck at Alexandria (ALE Mintmark) between 308 and 310, after his abdication.

Obverse: DN DIOCLETIANO BAEATISS, laurel-wreathed bust right wearing mantle, holding olive branch and holding mappa in the other hand.

Reverse: PROVIDENTIA DEORVM, Providentia standing right, extending right hand to Quies, standing left, holding branch and sceptre.

Reference: Sear 12922, RIC VI Alexandria 80 corr.

 

Apparently the coin in OP comes from Tareq Hani Collection.

 

Hi All,

How about a lead imitation of the Diocletian types minted under Domitius Domitianus, emission #4b2 in Table 2 of Tetrarchic Emissions for Alexandria Mint (based on D VanHorn). RIC VI called this Series III, ca 295-296 CE, in contrast to chronology of VanHorn.



From Forvm Ancient Coins: Marcel Jungfleisch (1879 - 1958) was one of the leading numismatists in the twentieth century. He was from Cairo, Egypt and wrote extensively on Egyptian numismatics. He was a professor of Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers and a member of the Institute of Egypt. His extensive writings covered Islamic bronze weights from Egypt, Ayyubid glass jetons, Islamic Art Network, Roman Egyptian coins, Nubians in Egypt (1946), Nomes of Egypt (1946), and wrote for the Revue Numismatique in 1955. Sotheby's sold his collection in two vast sales in 1972.

- Broucheion