The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
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Reverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC Ch AU* Strike: 5/5 Surface: 5/5
Grade Comment: silvering
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

In the early 291 AD, co-Augusti Maximian and Diocletian met to discuss the increasingly difficult task of preserving the Roman Empire. Conflicts raged in virtually every province, from barbarian incursions to usurpers forming rouge states. In the aftermath of the deliberations, it was decided to expand the Empire’s leadership team. To this end, each Augusti choose a Caesar in 293 AD, creating a ruling Tetrarchy. Diocletian’s chose his praetorian prefect, Galerius, and Maximian’s selection was his ambitious son-in-law, Constantius Chlorus. Maximian delegated Constantius to solve the difficult, embarrassing situation regarding Carausius, the former naval commander turned pirate King of the breakaway realm Imperium Britanniarum. Ultimately, Constantius proved well up to the task. Maximian was now able to focus on protecting other area under his domain, particularly around Italy and Africa. This coin was struck in Aquileia during the early years of this new ruling Tetrarchy. The denomination is a nummus (or follis), a new bronze-based coin introduced as part of numerous coinage reforms instituted over a period of time. The nummus was larger than its predecessor the aurelianianus (about 10 g compared to about 4 g), and featured (a modest) several percent silver content (aurelianiani were only silver plated, if that). At this particular time, each Tetrarchal ruler was engaged in wars at every corner of the Empire. Thus, it was important to promote an image of unified and harmonious leadership among all the provinces. Therefore, each Tetrarachal ruler struck coinage bearing similar characteristics. This coin provides an example, wherein Maximian’s obverse bust appears relatively wide and square, with orderly, detailed coiffure and beard. The verso depicts Genius, holding a patera and a cornucopia. These particular motifs were popular with Maximian’s imperial colleagues (three other examples – Diocletian, Constantius, and Galerius – are also included in this NGC Ancients custom set). The year this particular coin was struck, 296 AD, was a busy one for Maximian and his troops. He started out by reinforcing the defenses along the Rhine and repelling an invasion of the Carpi on the Danube. Later that same year, he doubled back to Spain, and the crossed the Mediterranean into northwest Africa to deal with the Berber tribes that raided into Mauretania. This time, the campaign was no facile matter: Maximian spent a couple years in bloody conflict, driving the enemy deep into their homeland, where they could use their knowledge of the terrain towards guerrilla warfare. Even so, Maximian relentlessly pressed onward, wiping out as many enemies and as much of their lands as he could. Finally, the surviving Berbers fled deep into the Sahara, and Maximian returned to Rome by 299 AD amid triumphal celebrations. After his successes in Africa, Maximian returned to the north of Italy, living a luxurious life in his palaces, while leaving frontier warfare to his subordinate Caesar Constantius. The next several years were relatively restful. In 303 AD, Maximian once again convened with his eastern counterpart, this time in Rome, and under auspices quite different from the previous decade’s meeting in Milan. This time the purpose was to discuss military triumphs and celebrate two decades of leadership (a feat not seen since Antonius Pius). The festivities were memorable, even though the aging Diocletian was in poor health at the time. Given the situation, Diocletian decided they should stop pushing their luck, and made Maximian swear a joint oath to retire. In 305 AD, the abdication was made official, amidst more fanfare and adulation. Once again, Maximian was free to enjoying some well-deserved peace and relaxation, far from the foreign and domestic concerns of the Roman Empire (although he did stay in regular contact with Diocletian). It should have been the perfect ending to a glorious imperial career. However, Maximian’s history does not end here: in subsequent years, he came back into the imperial fold, making not one, but two more grabs at the throne. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Maximian, 286-310 AD, BI Nummus (10.47 g), Struck in 296 AD in Aquileia, NGC Grade: Ch AU*, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Laureate bust right, IMP MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, Reverse: Genius standing left, holding patera & cornucopia, GENIO POPVLI ROMANI, AQS in exergue, References: RIC VI Aquileia 23b.

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