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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;maridvnvm, post: 2723836, member: 31620&quot;]Collecting coins of the Tetrarchy can be quite confusng to those who don&#039;t take a little bitof time to looks at the history surrounding this period. Some reading leads to a whole host of collecting opporunities for collecting coins as Caesar or Augustus or Sentior Augustus for the same person.</p><p><br /></p><p>The coins of the Tetrarchy are also often considered to be &quot;boring&quot;. The coins become stylistically similar with it being very difficult to differentiate between the emperors as a uniform stylised portrait becomes used.</p><p><br /></p><p>Not a great deal is known about Severus II (FLAVIVS VALERIVS SEVERVS). He rose through the ranks of the Roman army to become a senior officier. He was an old friend of Galerius. When Galerius rose to Emperor of the Eastern Empire after the abdication of Maximianus Herculius and Diocletian he appointed Severus as Caesar under Constantius I Chlorus in the west and Maximinus Daia (his nephew) as Caesar in the east.</p><p><br /></p><p>Severus was Caesar from 1st May A.D. 305 through to 26th July A.D. 306 when he was promoted to Augustus by Galerius on the death of Constantius I.&nbsp; This was in opposition to the acclamation of Constantine I (Constantius&#039; son) by his own soldiers. Throw Maxentius (son of the now retired Maximinus Herculius) into the mix and these become interesting times.</p><p><br /></p><p>In order to secure his status Severus marched on Rome from Mediolanum at the head of his army, which had been formerly led by Maximianus. Anticipating Severus&#039; arrival at Rome Maxentius offered Maximian the co-rule of the empire and when Severus arrived his troops defected to their former leader Maximian. More turmoil ensued with Galerius invading Italy to oppose Maxentius and Maximian but it led to Severus surrendering and eventually his death. The location of his death is uncertain but is thought to be either Cisterna di Latina or Ravenna.</p><p><br /></p><p>I don&#039;t actively collect these but was offered a Severus II follis as Casear from Lugdunum. The condition was acceptable and the price was too good to pass the offer up. </p><p><br /></p><p>This isn&#039;t a scarce coin at all with the 46 examples cited by Bastien confirming the Common rating given by RIC. A brief look on VCoins or MAShops will show that coins of Severus II are readily available. They do for some reason hold a premium (which I didn&#039;t pay) when compared to other Tetrarchy folles. There do not appear to be any other Severus II coins from Lugdunum currently at these venues. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Severus II - Follis </b></p><p><br /></p><p>Obv:– SEVERVS NOB C, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right</p><p>Rev:– GENIO POP-VLI ROMANI, Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, left hand holding cornucopiae and right hand holding patera, plain altar beneath</p><p>Minted in Lugdunum (_ | * //PLG). 1st May A.D. 305 - 26th July A.D. 306</p><p>Reference(s) – Cohen 43. RIC VI Lugdunum199a (C). Bastien 377 (46 examples cited)</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10618/RI_150c_img.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p>Martin[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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