i would like some help with this coin. first, does it appear to be real? i have no way to weigh it, but it is about 26mm. second, what is it, other than roman?
I beleive its: Maximianus AE Follis. IMP C VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, laureate, cuirassed bust of Maximian right / GENIO POP ROM S-H, Genius standing left, holding patera & cornucopiae, PTR in ex. edit: forgot to mention, it looks real. not sure about a value though, maybe $30, someone might have a better guess.
Randygeki identified this correctly, and I would say that his estimate of value is about right as well. In case you don't know, the PTR is the mintmark for Triveri (Trier). This coin was minted at some point between 294 and 305. In case you want some background information: The original name of the denomination is unknown, but it's usually referred to by modern collectors as a follis, though I've heard some call it a nummus. During the third century, there was high inflation, and with it currency debasement. By the end, there was very little precious metal in the circulating coinage. In 294, Diocletian reformed the coinage system, with the follis being the primary unit in circulation. In the beginning, it was probably made of a ratio of 1 part silver to 20 parts copper, and they originally had a thin silver coating. Diocletian's reforms didn't solve the monetary problems of the empire, and inflation and debasement continued. If I recall correctly, we have a record of him doubling the value of the follis to 25 denarii, which means that the unit may have originally had the rather odd value of 12.5 denarii, though some argue that the "doubling" was a bit rough and that it had a value of 12 even originally.
ok, i have another question about the coin. i've been researching what all the letters mean, but i can't find what the VAL means. i found that IMP means IMPERATOR, the C means CAESAR, and AVG means AUGUSTUS, but can't find anything on the VAL. does anyone know, or know of a website that says? i've learned quite a bit in the past few days about roman coins, and i think i have a new collecting interest.
Maximianus' full name was "Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus Herculius." Emperors often had long strings of names (Commodus once renamed the months of the year so that each had one of his many names), and you'll often find bits of them in obverse legends.
forgive me for having so many questions... i've seen licinius, constantinus, and diocletianus coins that have the same VAL before thier name. is that also an extra abbreviation to their name?i was under the impression that it was some title. (i have so much to learn)
Valerius was a common part of emperors' names during this period, and all of the above emperors had it. VAL is just for that. You'll also find FL for Flavius on many Constantinian coins, and M for Marcus on many coins of the second and third centuries. They too are just names.
