I bid on and won both of these (running at the same time from the same seller) as it seemed fitting to keep the pair together, especially with the same GENIO POPVLI ROMANI reverse. These aren't the greatest images yet as I just opened them up for a look before sitting down to dinner. IMP C DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG on left, IMP CMA MAXIMIMANVS PF AVG on right Thank you for indulging my modest pride.
Another goal worthy of consideration would be to add a follis of Galerius & Constantius I, that would complete an example of each member of the original Tetrarchy . Just food for thought .....
Just my opinion: Anyone who has a pair of folles like these could justify getting a similar pair of pre-reform antoniniani from these same men and, if you want eight coins altogether, their Caesars. Now your opinion: Do these two coins strike you as a close match or do you see something important other that the ruler that differs?
Here are the pair from the mint at Trier but not the same issue: Diocletian, AD 284-305. Roman billon follis, 8.99 g, 28.3 mm, 6 h. Trier, AD 302-303. Obv: IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG, Laureate and cuirassed bust, right. Rev: GENIO POPV-LI ROMANI, Genius, turreted, nude but for chlamys draped over left shoulder, standing left, holding patera in right hand and cornucopiae in left hand; S/F//IITR. Refs: RIC vi, p. 196, 524a; RCV --. Notes: Some have suggested the S F in the fields is an abbreviation for SAECVLI FELICITAS. Maximian, 1st Reign, AD 286-305. Roman billon follis, 10.96 g, 27.2 mm, 12 h. Trier, AD 298-99. Obv: IMP MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, laureate head, right. Rev: GENIO POP-VLI ROMANI, Genius, wearing modius, nude but for chlamys draped over left shoulder, standing left, holding patera in right hand and cornucopiae in left hand; A/*//TR. Refs: RIC vi, p. 186, 277b. Notes: Typically, the reverse legend is broken GENIO POPV-LI ROMANI.
One could even add some post-reform radiates (see below). As to your question, I won't spoil the fun for others by giving a full answer, but a small hint might be appropriate: look closely at what the figures on Doug's coins are holding. Diocletian, Roman Empire, AE post-reform radiate, 295–299 AD, Cyzicus mint. Obv: IMP CC VAL DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG; radiate, draped, cuirassed bust of Diocletian r. Rev: CONCORDIA MILITVM; Jupiter standing l. and holding sceptre presents Victory to emperor standing r.; between them, mintmark KΓ. 22mm, 3.2g. RIC VI Cyzicus 15a. Maximian, Roman Empire, AE post-reform radiate, 295–298 AD, Heraclea mint. Obv: IMP C M A MAXIMIANVS PF AVG; radiate, draped, cuirassed bust of Maximian r. Rev: CONCORDIA MILITVM; Jupiter standing l. and holding sceptre presents Victory to emperor standing r.; between them, HΓ. 21mm, 2.79g. RIC VI Heraclea 14 or 22.
Congratulations and your acquisitions. There are other GENIO reverses from this era, too, such as GENIO CAESARIS, GENIO IMPERATORI, GENIO AVGVSTI, along with some obscure ones like (I think) GENIO EXERCITVS, and BONO GENIO IMPERATORI. It might be fun to put together a tetrachic GENIO collection.
The argenteus coins with the four leaders around the altar provides interesting symbolism, but getting all four of them in that format gets expensive. Diocletian Maximian I have found Constantius to be hardest to find in general. Is that true, or have I not looked in the right spots yet?
Congrats, @Dobbin . Nice captures! DIOCLETIAN RI Diocletian 284-305 CE AE Folles VOT XX MAXIMIAN RI MAXIMIANUS HERCULIUS 286-305 CE antoninianus Antioch 292-295 CE CONCORDIA MILITVM Jupiter H-officina 8
