Roman Britannic AE coinage - AD 294 to 307

Thank you @Alegandron - nice coin you posted. As you know, my own primary interest lies with the historical association of the coins I collect - their condition is secondary, although I do strive to purchase coins that are well centered with reasonably clear portrait depictions and readable inscriptions.

 

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Part 8 - the final one. I

COINAGE OF THE THIRD TETRARCHY

Constantius died at Eboracum (York) in Britain during a campaign against the warlike tribes of the North on 25 July 306. Just before he died, Constantius conferred Imperium on his son, Flavius Valerius Constantinus (later Constantine the Great). The army commanded by Constantius wanted Constantine proclaimed Augustus, however, Galerius Maximian, the now de-facto senior Augustus elevated Severus to Augustus of the West in accordance with the rules for succession, and proclaimed Constantine Caesar of the West thus creating the Third Tetrarchy.

Configuration of the Severus as Augustus of the West coins is the same as for Second Tetrarchy Augustan coins. Configuration of the Constantine as Caesar of the west coins is essentially the same as for Second Tetrarchy Caesarian coins except some issues are reduced folles bearing a reverse legend of GENIO POP ROM and a PLN mint mark in the reverse exergue.

SELECTED EXAMPLE COINS:

RIC VI, Londinium, No. 46 (variant), Severus, Augustus of the West:


IMP SEVERVS PIVS FEL AVG ........................... GENIO POPV - LI ROMANI

Draped laureate bust.
Obverse legend variation: PIVS FEL instead of PIVS FELIX.
9.4 gm.

RIC VI, Londinium, No. 89b, Constantine, Caesar of the West:



O: FL VAL CONSTANTINIVS NOB C

R: GENIO - POP ROM

PLN in reverse exergue

Unreduced follis
Draped, laureate, bust.
Genius with head towered and loins draped.
Issued shortly after the death of Constantius following recognition as Caesar by Galerius.
9.3 gm.

This Third Terarchy coinage signalled the end of the Tetrarchy (sic). There now followed a period of turmoil involving attempts by Galerius Maximian to unsuccessfuly institute a modified Tetrarchic system of government followed by much jockeying for power by various Imperial aspirants.

 

I do collect coins of the post-Tetrarchic Imperial aspirants. Many of these coins were not issued by the London Mint. Here is one such coin:

RIC VI, Ostia, No. 35, Maxentius as Augustus:


IMP C MAXENTIVS PF AVG .................. AETE - RNITAS - AVG N
MOSTT in reverse exergue

Ostia Mint.
Rev: Castor & Pollux facing each other leaning on staff and holding horse (Dioscuri)
No coins in the name of Maxentius were produced by the London Mint.
7.3 gm..

 

One again, mad props to the boss, James!

Thank for making your write ups easy to understand! I have a hard time understanding things sometimes and I can follow these with no problem.

You rock!

Erin

 

And thank you for those kind words, Erin! Your comments are so cool!
(How about that from an old fogey?)

 

@jamesicus I wish I had the dedication and skill to write about coins that you, and others, have. I've been trying to start something on falling horseman coins for a while now.

 

As do I.

 

Very interesting writeups, thank you for making and sharing them.

Q