Owner Comments:
Of humble origin, Galerius (260-311 AD) forged a distinguished military career, consistent with the strong laureate and armored portrait on the obverse of this ancient bronze coin. Proclaimed Emperor in 305 AD upon Diocletian’s abdication, Galerius was a ruthless ruler, imposing heavy taxes and maintaining the persecution of Christians. Such themes are consistent with the coin's reverse, wherein Genius (a duality of good and bad personal tutelaries, with the dominant determining man's ultimate disposition) holds in one hand a cornucopia, and the other a bowl used either in making libations of wine to the gods, or in receiving blood of sacrificial victims.
On his deathbed, and perhaps fearing his illness the vengeance of the Christian God, Galerius issued an edict grudgingly granting toleration, and died shortly thereafter.
Coin details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Galerius (305-311 AD), Billon Nummus (6.60 g), Alexandria, NGC Grade: Ch AU, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 5/5. Obverse: Laureate and cuirassed bust right, IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, Reverse: Genius of the emperor standing left, chlamys over shoulder, modius on head, pouring libation from patera & holding cornucopiae, GENIO IMPERATORIS, P in left field, R over R in right field, Reference: Exact match not found, similar to RIC VI Ale 101a with different mint marks.