Maximinus and the head of Serapis

Shortly after I joined the CT gang, I noticed several threads with terrific examples of this type of 'silvered follis' and finally I was able to purchase one from a noted eBay seller after a series of offers and counter-offers. Prior to my initial offer, 'due diligence' suggested my maximum offer shipped should be based on several attributes; namely, condition, strike and mint-mark. I agreed that this substantially silvered coin was in EF grade and struck at Heraclea (SMHT) with a Delta or fourth officina designation. I also noted that the most common of this type appeared to be either Alpha or Delta and the scarcest of the three being Beta and the rarest Gamma----one reference indicated there were only six known, however inaccurate that may be. Since my coin was struck at Heraclea, it dates to April, 313 AD and apparently during a 10 day period prior to the 30th of April. The dating refers to Maximinus' invasion of Thrace and seizure of Heraclea around the 20th of April and his defeat and expulsion by Licinius on April 30. An exceedingly short period of time to strike coins even if his 'moneyers' were working 'around the clock'.

Some may find the lack of complete silvering less desirable than none at all. But I find it quite acceptable. The details are highly defined, the strike well centered and only a tiny portion of the legend is a bit weak while the 'head' of Serapis retains all of the expected features. Most of these types (Heraclea) range in retail value from $50-$250+ hammer depending upon the actual grade. Those of the scarcer officina even higher and one example of a Gamma (3rd officina) in very fine grade recently sold for $1,300. But perhaps only 'specialists' of these types care quite that much LOL. Mine fell within that latter figure IF you DELETE the first digit and so it seems I paid about average or high retail for it.

I'll skip any further 'historical background' since it can be so easily accessed online.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximinus_II

Please share your opinions, comments, and any coin of the type you'd like to share.

Silvered Follis of Maximinus II Daia
Heraclea mint 313 AD; 22mm, 4.25 grams
IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINUS P F AVG
Laureate head right
SOLI IN-VICTO; Delta left, SMHT in exergue
Sol standing facing, head left holding bust of Serapis, and raising hand.
RIC 78

 

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Wow. Very nice!

I only have a couple coppers... nope... no silver...

RI Maximinus II 305-308 CE Folles AE30 Trier mint Genius stndg Obv-Rev.jpg


RI Maximinus II 305-308 CE AE20 Genius stndg Obv-Rev.jpg

 

That is a fantastic example of the type! Wow! Wish it were mine

 

I believe the symbolism of the OP coin shows the supremacy of Sol over Serapis at this point in the history of Roman religion. Sol is typically portrayed as naked, with a globe in hand. On these types, Sol is wearing a long, flowing, ornate robe, which is in fact the traditional robe of Serapis. Then there's the severed head of the Egyptian god in Sol's hand, instead of a globe.

Serapis gained a large cult following among Romans for several centuries, but the cult was fading by the beginning of the 4th century. To me the message of this coin is clear: Invincible Sol has defeated Serapis.

 

A really amazing and beautiful coin @Mikey Zee , but as a huge Serapis fan I do not approve of the message.

Hail Serapis. Sol is low energy, a real loser and a crook. #lowenergySol #crookedSol. Sol has no stamina. Serapis is amazing, believe me! Serapis is going to make Rome great again! With Serapis you are going to win and win again, and you are going to win bigly.

 

Holy Moly, Mikey-Z ... congrats on scoring that amazingly fine OP-Maximinus-II

=> it's gorgeous (sadly, I don't have an example with a Serapis head, but that never stopped me from posting an example, right?)

So here ya go ... I may not have Serapis, but Mars is in the house!!

 

The message is not the literal cutting the head off of Serapis, but rather that Sol is taking on the attributes of Serapis. It's syncretism for those Serapis worshipers who have been hearing good things about Sol, but are on the fence.

Below is a dedication to Sol Serapis




http://www.roger-pearse.com/weblog/2011/11/19/an-inscription-dedicated-to-sol-serapis/

 

Thanks for the comments and posts guys!!

Very nice examples @Alegandron ......I have a Genio as well (doesn't everyone) but without the Serapis---just Genius.

Of course, @stevex6, that gorgeous Max/Mars bronze is off the charts!!!

Very interesting clarification of the Serapis/Sol symbolism...Frankly, I wasn't quite sure either way, but it seems @Victor_Clark nailed it.

 

Nice coin, Mikey! Serapis does seem to have enjoyed passing his head around...

From around the same period, Max II also issued that series with Genius holding the head of Serapis (and Sol's as well).



I don't have an example, but there are also mid-3rd century Alexandrian potin tetradrachms with the personification of Alexandria holding the head of Serapis.

There's good numismatic evidence for Serapis worship being alive and well in the 4th century in parts of the empire. The SANCTO NILO civic issues of Alexandria and the Festival of Isis coinage of Rome both often featured Serapis prominently.

 

Licinius I
Coin: Bronze Follis
IMP LIC LICINNIVS P F AVG - Laureate head right
GENIO AVGVSTI - Genius standing left, holding head of Serapis and cornucopia; palm branch-N-* in left field, wreath-gamma in right field
Mint: Alexandria (AD 313)
Wt./Size/Axis: 4.10g / 21mm / -
References:

• RIC VI Alexandria 162a

 

Yep, everyone has them, and here's mine:



Maximinus II, Rome, Tetrarchy, AD 309-313
AE, follis, 4.96g, 21mm;12h; Antioch
Obv.: IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS PF AVG; laureate head right
Rev.: GENO AVGVSTI; Genius standing left, holding head of Sol and cornucopiae; star left, A right
In Ex.: ANT

You have a wonderful coin Mikey that would have a nice place in my collection as well!

 

Thanks for the posts and responses guys!!

 

@Jwt708 and I have "turn about is fair play" coins. The OP of Maximinus II had Sol holding a bust of Serapis. We have (Genius with attributes of) Sepapis holding a bust of Sol:

21 mm. Some silvering. 4.54 grams.
RIC VI Antioch 164b, page 643.

 

As you might guess...I like these types.... I have too many that this would get boring. Here is a smalal sample.

Maximinus II Daia - Follis

Obv:– IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS P F AVG, Laureate head right
Rev:– GENIO AVGVSTI, Genius, naked but for chlamys fastened at his right shoulder and hanging from his left shoulder, standing facing, head left, wearing modius, holding head of Serapis, which faces him, in right hand and ornate cornucopia in left arm behind
Minted in Alexandria (* / N / Branch | B / ALE).
Reference:– RIC VI Alexandria 160b



Maximinus II Daia - Follis

Obv:– IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS P F AVG, Laureate head right
Rev:– GENIO AVGVSTI, Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys at waist, left hand holding cornucopiae and right hand holding head of Sol
Minted in Antioch (* | E/D / ANT). A.D. 312
Reference(s) – RIC VI Antioch 164b

Flan flaw on eye of bust on obverse otherwise a pleasing example



Maximinus II Daia - Follis

Obv:– IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS P F AVG, Laureate head right
Rev:– SOLI IN-VICTO, Sol standing left in long robe, right hand raised, left hand holding head of Serapis
Minted in Antioch (A | * // ANT).
Reference(s) – RIC VI Antioch 167b



Martin

 

Is there any speculation as to why this is?

 

In the East, Christianity was proposing one god who did it all. Those who recognized multiple gods began to consolidate their powers and join them together. I think this was a reaction to the appeal of Christianity.

 

Wonderful examples @Valentinian and @maridvnvm !!!

It's so cool to see all the variations and the Sol/Genius types with the head of Serapis!!

 

That might be more debatable if we were talking about any other tetrarchic ruler than Maximinus II. This is the same guy who really enjoyed the last persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire...he was a pretty hardcore pagan. He did start talking about tolerance of Christians in A.D. 313 though, but the coinage he struck when he captured Heraclea demonstrated he was still very much the pagan with reverses of Genius, Hercules and Sol with head of Serapis.

 

very nice loolin' coin MZ! Serpais (or his head at least) and sol look great, nice details all around really.

i don't have much from this guy, but here's a coin minted under his reign with an very pagan message...