Maxentius

306 - 312

The tale of Maxentius is one of the more convoluted accounts of any Roman emperor. It all started when some years before Diocletian came up with his Tetrarchy scheme. Together with Maximian, both were to be Augusti ruling jointly with each overseeing half of the empire. Each in turn named a Caesar as right-hand-man and would succeed the emperor when the latter died. Maximian was the father of Maxentius and, in other times, would have normally been Maximian's successor but the new ruling format had no place for him. When Diocletian abdicated and forced Maximian to do likewise Maxentius lost all hope. He knew that unless he took action he would be sidelined permanently.

Taking advantage of a growing dissatisfaction within Italy, and particularly Rome, at Galerius's decision to revoke their tax-free status, Maxentius gathered an empathetic army and had himself declared Caesar. He avoided the title of Augustus because he wanted to make it clear to Constantius Chlorus and Constantine that he was revolting only against Galerius. However, when Constantine was named emperor and failed to warm up to Maxentius he decided to go against both and proclaimed himself emperor at this point.

To make himself seem more legitimate in the eyes of the Roman world he convinced his father to come out of retirement and assume joint rule with him. Galerius would be unable to defeat these forces and retreated back to the east without a conclusive battle. Attention then turned to Constantine but here their luck would turn. In poor judgment, Maximian would go at it alone and distanced himself from Maxentius only to become cannon fodder under Constantine. Maxentius then faced a revolt from the African quarters and was able to put it down but at a high cost to his own popularity. Weakened thus he still had to face Constantine and was defeated in the battle of Milvian Bridge north of Rome.

AU Medallion


RIC 172 Four Aurei Medallion Obv: IMPCMVALMAXENTIVSPFAVG - Bare head left.
Rev: PRINCIPIIMPERIIROMANI Exe: R - Mars advancing right, holding spear and trophy with shield. c.308 (VI, Roma).


RIC 173 Eight Aurei Medallion Obv: IMPCMVALMAXENTIVSPFAVG - Bare head right.
Rev: ROMAEAETERNAEAVCTRICIAVGN Exe: R - Maxentius standing left on right, holding scepter and receiving globe from Roma seated to left, holding scepter. c.308 (VI, Roma).


Unlisted Four Aurei Medallion Obv: IMPCMVALMAXENTIVSPFAVG - Bare head right.
Rev: MARTICONSERVAVGGETCAESN Exe: K - Mars advancing right, holding spear and trophy with shield. c.307 (Carthage). $50,923 12/15/02.


Unlisted Four Aurei Medallion Obv: IMPCMVALMAXENTIVSPFAVG - Bare head left.
Rev: CONSERVATORVRBISSVAE Exe: R - Roma seated left, holding Victory on globe and scepter. c.308 (VI, Roma).


RIC 166 Double Aurei Medallion Obv: IMPMAXENTIVSPFAVG - Head left, wearing lion skin.
Rev: CONSERVATORVRBSVAE Exe: R - Maxentius standing right on left, holding scepter and receiving globe from Roma seated to right, holding scepter. c.308-309 (VI, Roma). $52,960 12/5/02.

AU Binio


RIC 169 Binio Obv: IMPMAXENTIVSPFAVG - Radiate head right.
Rev: FELIXPROCESSCONSVLATAVGN Exe: R - Maxentius standing left, holding globe and scepter. c.307 (VI, Roma).


RIC 171 Binio Obv: IMPMAXENTIVSPFAVG - Radiate head right.
Rev: HERCVLICOMITIAVGN Exe: R - Hercules standing right, resting hand on club and holding bow with lion skin. c.308-309 (VI, Roma). $29,875 12/5/02.

AU Aureus


RIC 10, Calicó 5080, Depeyrot 1/10 Aureus Obv: MAXENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust facing.
Rev: VICTORIAAETERNAAVGN Exe: POST - Maxentius seated left on cuirass, receiving globe from Victory standing to left. 310-312 (Ostia). $166,552 5/10/05.


RIC 140 Aureus Obv: MAXENTIVSPRINCINVICT - Laureate head right.
Rev: MARTICONSERVAVGETCAESSNN Exe: E/R - Mars advancing right, holding shield and spear. c.306-307 (VI, Roma).


RIC 181, Depeyrot 16/6 Aureus Obv: MAXENTIVSPFAVG - Laureate head right.
Rev: HERCVLICOMITIAVGN Exe: R - Hercules standing right, resting hand on club and holding bow with lion skin. 307 (VI, Roma). $5,000 1/13/03.


NFA XXX #302 Aureus Obv: MAXENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust facing.
Rev: FELPROCESCOSIIIIAVGN Exe: POST - Maxentius riding elephant quadriga; Victory hovering to right, holding wreath. $72,500 12/8/92.

AR Argenteus


RIC 187, C 49 Argenteus Obv: MAXENTIVSPFAVG - Laureate head right.
Rev: CONSERVATORVRBISSVAE Exe: R - Temple with six columns; Roma seated within, holding globe and scepter. 307-310 (VI, Roma).


RIC 191 (VI, Roma), C 106 Argenteus Obv: MAXENTIVSPFAVG - Bare-headed, draped bust facing.
Rev: TEMPORVMFELICITASVGN Exe: R - Wolf standing right, suckling Romulus and Remus. c.307-310 (VI, Roma).

AE Follis


RIC 35 (Ostia), S 3776 Follis Obv: IMPCMAXENTIVSPFAVG - Laureate head right.
Rev: AETERNITASAVGN Exe: MOSTP - Castor and Pollux (the Dioscuri) standing, facing each other, each holding horse by bridle. 309-312 (Ostia).


RIC 35 (Ostia), S 3776 Follis Obv: IMPCMAXENTIVSPFAVG - Laureate head right.
Rev: AETERNITASAVGN Exe: MOSTΓ - Castor and Pollux (the Dioscuri) standing, facing each other, each holding horse by bridle. 309-312 (Ostia).


RIC 37 (Ostia) Follis Obv: IMPCMAXENTIVSPFAVG - Laureate, cuirassed bust left, holding spear over shoulder and shield.
Rev: AETERNITASAVGN Exe: MOST - Castor and Pollux (the Dioscuri) standing, facing each other, each holding horse by bridle.


RIC 45 (Ostia), S 3782 Follis Obv: IMPCMAXENTIVSPFAVG - Laureate head right.
Rev: FIDESMILITVMAVGN Exe: MOST - Fides standing, facing, holding a standard in each hand. 309-312 (Ostia).


RIC 47 (Ostia) Follis Obv: IMPCMAXENTIVSPFAVG - Helmeted, laureate, cuirassed bust left, holding spear over shoulder and shield.
Rev: FIDESMILITVMAVGN Exe: MOSTP - Fides standing, facing, holding a standard in each hand. $650 1/16/02.


RIC 54 (Ostia) Follis Obv: IMPCMAXENTIVSPFAVG - Laureate head right.
Rev: VICTORIAAETERNAAVGN Exe: MOST - Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm.


RIC 60 (Carthago) Follis Obv: IMPCMAXENTIVSPFAVG - Laureate head right.
Rev: CONSERVATORESKARTSVAE Exe: PK - Temple with six columns, Carthago seated within, holding fruits. 306-307 (Carthago). $20 9/20/03.


RIC 100 (Ticinum) Follis Obv: MAXENTIVSPFAVG - Laureate head right.
Rev: CONSERVVRBSVAE Exe: T - Temple with six columns; Roma seated within, holding globe and scepter. 308-310 (Ticinum).


RIC 103 (Ticinum) Follis Obv: IMPMAXENTIVSPFAVGCONS - Laureate bust left, wearing imperial mantle, holding globe and scepter with eagle atop.
Rev: CONSERVVRBSVAE Exe: T - Temple with six columns; Roma seated within, holding globe and scepter. 308-309 (Ticinum).


RIC 113 (Aquileia) Follis Obv: IMPCMAXENTIVSPFAVG - Laureate head right.
Rev: CONSERVVRBSVAE Exe: AQ - Roma seated left on shield in hexastyle temple, handing globe to Maxentius with right and holding scepter in left, captive seated between, Victories as acroteria, She-wolf and twins in pediment. 307 (Aquileia).


RIC 114 (Aquileia) Follis Obv: IMPCMAXENTIVSPFAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: CONSERVVRBSVAE Exe: AQ - Temple with four columns, Maxentius standing on left within, stepping on captive, holding scepter and receiving globe from Roma seated on right, holding scepter.. 307 (Aquileia).


RIC 121a, S 3779, C 21 Follis Obv: IMPCMAXENTIVSPFAVG - Laureate and bearded head right.
Rev: CONSERVVRBSVAE Exe: AQ - Temple with six columns, Roma seated within. 307-309 (Aquileia).


RIC 124, C 29 Follis Obv: IMPCMAXENTIVSPFAVGCONS - Laureate bust left, wearing consular dress and holding eagle-tipped scepter.
Rev: CONSERVVRBSVAE Exe: AQ - Temple with six columns, Roma seated within. 308 (Aquileia).


RIC 125, C 33 Follis Obv: IMPMAXENTIVSPFAVGCONSII - Laureate bust right wearing consular dress and hand holding eagle-tipped scepter.
Rev: CONSERVVRBSVAE Exe: AQ - Temple with six columns, Roma seated within. 309 (Aquileia).


RIC 127 (VI, Roma) Follis Obv: IMPMAXENTIVSPFAVGCONSII - Laureate, bust right, wearing imperial mantle, right hand holding eagle-tipped scepter.
Rev: CONSERVVRBSVAE Exe: RQ - Temple with six columns, Roma seated within.


RIC 198a (VI, Rome) Follis Obv: IMPCMAXENTIVSPFAVG - Laureate head right.
Rev: CONSERVATORESVRBSVAE Exe: R - Temple with six columns, Roma seated left within, holding globe and scepter with shield to right. 307 (VI, Roma).


RIC 210 (VI, Roma), S 3779 Follis Obv: IMPCMAXENTIVSPFAVG - Laureate head right.
Rev: CONSERVVRBSVAE Exe: RBP - Temple with six columns, Roma seated within.


RIC 210 (VI, Roma), S 3779 Follis Obv: IMPCMAXENTIVSPFAVG - Laureate head right.
Rev: CONSERVVRBSVAE Exe: RBT - Temple with six columns, Roma seated within. $25 3/28/02.


RIC 215 (VI, Roma), C 59 Follis Obv: IMPCMAXENTIVSPFAVG - Laureate head right.
Rev: FELPROCESCONSIIIAVGN Exe: RB - Maxentius riding elephant quadriga left, raising hand and holding scepter; Victory hovering above. 310 (VI, Roma).


RIC 227 (VI, Roma) Follis Obv: MAXENTIVSPFAVG - Laureate head right.
Rev: VICTORIAAETERNAAVGN Exe: R - Victory standing right, stepping on cippus, holding shield reading VOT/X; seated captive to left. c.310 (Rome).


RIC 232 (VI, Roma) Follis Obv: MAXENTIVSPFAVG - Helmeted, cuirassed bust left, holding spear over shoulder and shield.
Rev: VICTORIAAETERNAAVGN Exe: R - Victory standing right, stepping on cippus, holding shield reading VOT/X; seated captive to left. c.310 (Rome).


RIC 238 (VI, Roma) Follis Obv: MAXENTIVSPFAVG - Laureate head right.
Rev: No legend Exe: R - Wreath, VOT/QQ/MVL/XX within. c.310 (VI, Roma). $90 2/4/04.


RIC 241 (VI, Roma) Follis Obv: MAXENTIVSPFAVG - Head right wearing lion's skin.
Rev: No legend Exe: R - Wreath, VOT/X/FEL within. c.310 (VI, Roma).


RIC 258 (VI, Roma) Follis Obv: IMPCMAXENTIVSPFAVG - Laureate head right.
Rev: CONSERVVRBSVAE Exe: RE - Temple with six columns; Roma seated within, holding globe and scepter.


RIC 273 (VI, Roma) Follis Obv: IMPCMAXENTIVSPFAVG - Laureate head right.
Rev: VICTORIAAVGN Exe: RB - Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm; seated captive to left. c.310-311 (VI, Roma).