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Named after the Eternal City's eponymous founder, Romulus was the son of Maxentius and Maximilla. He was thus the grandson of two Roman Emperors, Maximian of his father's side and Galerius on his mother's. While still a boy and not yet elevated to Caesar, Romulus was twice ceremoniously bestowed the title of consul. Presumably, Maxentius intended that his son propagate his dynasty as Rome's future ruler. Any such hopes evaporated upon Romulus' death in 309 AD.
Maxentius honored his deceased son on coinage, including this follis struck in Rome circa 310-311 AD. The obverse depicts Romulus' profile encircled by the inscription IMP MAXENTIVS DIVO ROMVLO NV FILIO, indicating that Maxentius bestowed upon his son the unusual honorific
Nobilissimus Vir (Most Noble Man). The coin's reverse features a domed heaxastyle shrine surmounted by an eagle. The Temple was evidently part of a larger, highly ambitious reconstruction project that Maxentius launched after Rome suffered a devastating fire. As it turned out, Maxentius never finished the project. Completion of the task fell to his victor, Constantine I the Great, and much of Romulus' temple still stands today within the Forum Romanum.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Divus Romulus, Died AD 309, Æ Follis (23mm, 7.25 g, 12h), Rome mint, 1st officina, Struck under Maxentius, circa AD 310-311, NGC Grade: VF, Strike: 3/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Bare head right, IMP MAXENTIVS DIVO ROMVLO NV FILIO, Reverse: Domed heaxastyle shrine, with doors closed and surmounted by eagle standing right, [head] left, with wings spread, AETERNAE MEMORIAE, REP in emerge, Reference: RIC VI 256.