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MAXENTIUS

307-312 AD

Maxentius, Latin in full Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maxentius. His father, the emperor Maximian, abdicated with Diocletian in 305. In the new tetrarchy (two augusti with a caesar under each) that was set up after these abdications, Maxentius was passed over in favour of Flavius Valerius Severus, who was made a caesar and then, in 306, an augustus. But discontent with the policies of Severus at Rome caused Maxentius to be proclaimed princeps there on October 28, 306, by the Praetorian Guard. In 307 he took the title augustus.

Maximian, recalled to the throne to support Maxentius, defeated and killed Severus in 307. In 308, however, father and son quarreled, and Maximian sought refuge with Constantine, who had been Maximian’s ally since Maximian married his daughter Fausta to Constantine and designated him augustus in 307. Maxentius at first controlled Italy and Africa but not Spain, which was controlled by Constantine. In 308 the vicar of Africa, Lucius Domitius Alexander, revolted and proclaimed himself augustus. Africa was recovered by Maxentius’s praetorian prefect, but Maxentius was killed by Constantine at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312~at the gates of Rome where he found death by drowning in the Tiber.

On the eve of the decisive battle of the Milvian bridge, Constantine was visited by an Angel while he slept which showed him a Christogram (the first two letters of "Christ" in Greek - Chi, Rho) and the Angel  thus spoke:"IN HOC SIGNO VICTOR ERIS", meaning in Latin "In this sign [of Christ], you will be the victor."

Silvered Æ Follis. 5.68mg. 25.5mm (a U.S. Quarter is 24mm 5.6g).
Rome mint, 2nd Officina, 4th emission, 1st-2nd phases, Struck AD 308-309.

Obverse: IMP C MAXENTIVS P F AVG. Laureate head right.
Reverse: Roma helmeted, draped, enthroned in hexastyle (Six column portico) temple, holding globe and sceptre; temple with triangular pediment with acroteria/statues at corners; Wreath within pediment, CONSERV VRB SVAE (translation: The Protectors of the Sacred city) / H left field between legend and temple/RS mint mark (RS=Rome Secunda [second officina]) in exergue.

RARE only 11 listed on acsearch.info datbase of ancient coins sold at auction over the past several years.

Ref. RIC VI 202a. aXF-XF, much original silvering remaining.

RIC (Roman Imperial Coinage) is the general abbreviation for a set of 13 volumes of identification catalogs of Roman coins. RIC is the world standard reference for Roman Imperial coins.

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