Owner Comments:
This spectacular silver argenteus illustrates the unique challenges that arise when attributing coinage of the Tetrarchy. From the style and mintmark of the reverse (SM • SD •), it is certain that this coin was struck in Serdica (modern Sofia, Bulgaria) in the earliest years of the 4th Century. Deciphering which Emperor is depicted on the obverse, however, is far more challenging.
To project an image of unbreakable unity to a fractured world, the members of the Tetrarchy adopted a stylized, uniform public image. Gone were the realistic portraits of earlier times; in their place were blocky, interchangeable faces with thick necks, cropped hair, and identical fierce expressions. This numismatic harmony was deliberate propaganda: it didn't matter who the Emperor was, only that the Empire stood firm.
However, this uniformity created a problem for future numismatists. The obverse legend reads MAXIMIANVS AVG. This could refer to two different men who ruled as part of the Tetrarchy. The first is Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus Herculius Augustus (commonly referred to as Maximian), the Tetrarchal Eastern Augustus from 293-305 AD. The second is Gaius Galerius Valerius Maximianus Augustus (commonly referred to as Galerius), the Tetrarchal Eastern Augustus from 305-311 AD.
Both men used "Maximianus" on their coinage. Both used the same titles. And, crucially, Serdica was Galerius’ personal capital. He struck coins there for his "father" Maximian (before the 305 abdication) and for himself (after 305). They used the exact same dies, the same campgate reverse (VIRTVS MILITVM), and the same legends.
So, who is on this coin? If struck 303-305 AD (RIC VI 1b), it is the elder Maximian. If struck c. 305-306 AD (RIC VI 11b), it is Galerius. NGC Ancients lists Maximian as the primary attribution while also noting the ambiguity
Perhaps the confusion is its own clarification.
Additional reading: J Illingworth, “NGC ANCIENTS: THE TETRARCHY OF DIOCLETIAN,” 4/10/2012.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Maximian, AD 286-310, AR Argenteus (3.28 g), Serdica mint struck in 303-305 AD, Perhaps issue of Galerius (RIC VI Ib/IIb), NGC Grade: Ch MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Laureate head right MAXIMIANVS AVG, Reverse:, arch, VIRTVS MILITVM, dot SM dot SDE dot in exergue, Reference (Maximian): RIC VI Ib; RSC 627a, Reference (Galerius, alternate): RIC VI Serdica IIb.
Image: Sony ɑ 7R Ⅴ camera / Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS lens.