Here's another coin that is not listed in RIC. It would be listed except for the dot in the left field over the arm of Genio. The eagle is also described as holding a wreath in its beak; which this one is clearly not. Maximinus II A.D. 311- 312 Æ Follis 22mm 5.7g IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS P F AVG; laureate head right. GENIO AVGVSTI; Genius standing left, modius on head, naked except for chlamys over left shoulder, holding patera from which liquid flows & cornucopiae over right, eagle (with no wreath in beak) at feet to left; • in left field, B in right field. In ex. MKV Not in RIC…should be after RIC VI Cyzicus 95
I forgot to add something that I find interesting about this reverse. The GENIO type is a common reverse and was issued by the Tetrarchic emperors for over a decade, but the seemingly peaceful scene depicted on the reverse was very contentious for many people in the years A.D. 303- 313. During this period, Christians were persecuted and many were killed because of what was depicted on the reverse. The design was modeled after a statue of the Spirit of the Roman People (GENIO POPVLI ROMANI) which used to stand in the Roman forum. The reverse on the coin below depicts Genius holding a patera and pouring a libation, often over an altar. Diocletian feared that Christians were weakening the Empire and in A.D. 303 declared that everyone must perform public sacrifices to demonstrate their loyalty to the Emperor and Rome. This was really just a conservative move to reaffirm traditional civic virtues. The act depicted on the reverse of the GENIO coin was one that Roman citizens were expected to perform; but many Christians refused and were martyred. The persecution was firmly enforced in the Eastern Empire, less so in the West. The persecution officially ended in A.D. 313. Something to think about the next time that you see a common GENIO coin. Constantine I A.D. 307 25mm 7.5gm FL VAL CONSTANTINVS N C; laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. GENIO POP ROM; Genius standing left, modius on head, chlamys around loins, right holding patera over altar, left holding cornucopiae; N in right field. In exergue PLG RIC VI Lyons 214b
