The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
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Reverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC MS Strike: 4/5 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 305 AD, word spread throughout the Roman Empire of an unprecedented event: the voluntary retirement of Tetrarchal Eastern Augustus Diocletian and Western Augustus Maximian. Logically, their Tetrarchal Caesars, Galerius and Constantius I, succeeded them. Filling the now vacant role of co-Caesers were Severus II and Maximinus Daia. This announcement came as a surprise: the sons of the two western members of the Tetrarchy (Constantius’ son Constantine and Maxentius’ son Maximian) were overlooked. The selections were likely the machinations of Galerius, who conspired to ensure his domination over second Tetrarachy. This nummus was minted during this period (between 305–306 AD), while Constantius was Augustus of the Western Roman Empire. Interestingly, it was struck in Ticinum, a mint under the control of Severus. Even thought there were tensions amongst the Tetrarachy regards the Caesars' selections, it was extremely important to continue producing coins promoting imperial unity. Ticinum, like many other mints, struck coins depicting all four Tetrarchal rulers. The obverse designs is very similar to the coin in this set representing Constantius' reign as Caesar. Of course, on the current coin, the obverse legend has been appropriately upgraded to IMP C CONSTANTIVS P F AVG. The reverse of this coin features the seated figure of Fides holding on to a military standard, with the inscription FIDES MILITVM, indicating the loyalty of the soldiers. Perhaps the motif was intended to confirm Severus' fidelity to his superior Constantius, whether sincere or merely propaganda. Constantius, presumably pleased about his promotion, theoretically now served as senior Augustus and Caesar Severus’ superior. In reality, Severus owed his promotion and loyalty to Galerius. To keep the Empire running smoothly, Constantius strongly preferred his son as his replacement. Moreover, Constantius’ health was failing, and he required immediate assistance in ruling his own portion of the Empire. Therefore, he called for his Constantine, who had served for the last dozen years in the eastern court, effectively held hostage by Diocletian to ensure western loyalty. Constantine made his way westward expeditiously (just in case the eastern rulers had designs for treachery against him). In early 306 AD, father and son were reunited and campaigned together against the Picts in Britannia. The military success, which earned Constantius yet another accolade, adding to an extremely long list (this time it was Britannicus Maximus II), would be his last. Later the same year, Constantius health deteriorated even further, and he expired of natural causes. On his deathbed, he named his son as successor. This last declaration, popular with the troops, and ill received by the Tetrarchy, secured the continuation of his Constantinian dynasty. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Constantius I, AD 305-306, Æ Follis (26mm, 8.63 g, 6h), Ticinum mint, 3rd officina, Struck circa AD 305, NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Laureate head right, IMP C CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, Reverse: Fides seated left, holding signum in each hand, FIDES M-ILITVM, • to right field, TT in exergue, Reference: RIC VI 55a.

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