Constantine the Great coin





CONSERVATOR AVGG from Siscia

 

There is a series of coins from Siscia issued for Maximianus and Diocletian with a secret code. In 1872, the Viennese numismatist Joseph Van Kolb was the first person (at least recorded in modern times) who figured out the meaning of these coins. Diocletian and Maximianus claimed lineage with the gods; which is why the reverse legend translates as “Defender/Protector of the Augusti.”  In the East, Diocletian was in the family of Jupiter and in the West, Maximianus was in the family of Hercules. These coins have the names of the gods incorporated into the reverses. The coins of Diocletian have a reverse with him and Jupiter and the reverses for Maximianus depict him and Hercules. The normal Hercules reverse is leaning on a club, but a rarer type has him holding the club with a lion skin.


There is a theory that Diocletian and Maximianus started to proclaim their relationship with Jupiter and Hercules because of the revolt of Carausius. It was "an attempt to impose a divine order on the administering of the Empire, a "cosmic unity" that would automatically exclude any usurper from a place within the Empire." (In Praise of Later Roman Emperors  pg 48) It is impossible to prove, but an interesting idea.
see: William Seston "Dioclétien et la Tétrarchie"


 

Here is a quote from Lactantius, a Christian author of the 4th century, who mocks the Tetrarchy for their affiliation with the pagan gods--

 

“Where now are the surnames of the Jovii and the Herculii, once so glorious and renowned among the nations; surnames insolently assumed at first by Diocles and Maximian, and afterwards transferred to their successors?” Lactantius LII

 


The first part of the mint mark for this issue reads XXI, which must be a mark of value-- twenty parts copper to one part silver. The next bit is the code, which is in Greek. There were three workshops in the Siscia mint at this time-- workshop A, B and Γ.


The workshop (A,B,Γ) can be in the exergue (bottom) as part of the mint mark or separate, in the left or right field. In the mintmark it is sometimes separated from XXI by a dot.

 

workshop A= I, workshop B= O and workshop Γ = BI     I/O/BI for Jupiter (Diocletian)

  

workshop A= HP, workshop B= KOY and workshop Γ = ΛI      HP/KOY/ΛI for Hercules (Maximianus)


The ties for the headress can be either parallel or divergent (with one tie over shoulder)...I am not sure if there is any significance to this or is just engravers choice.

I have noted six different bust types...though I have only seen Diocletian as radiate and cuirassed bust right.

radiate, bare bust right
radiate and cuirassed bust right (sometimes slight drapery on left)
radiate and cuirassed bust left
radiate, draped and cuirassed bust left
radiate and cuirassed bust right, seen from rear
nude heroic bust with drapery over shoulder(s)




Diocletian


I
Diocletian
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus   23mm    4.0g
IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre; A in left field.
In ex. •XXI•I•
RIC V Siscia 263

Diocletian
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG from Siscia


Diocletian
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus   22mm    3.4gm
IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre; A in left field.
In ex. •XXI•I•
RIC V Siscia 264

Diocletian
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG from Siscia

Diocletian
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus   22x24mm     3.9g
IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre; A in left field.
In ex. •XXI•I•
RIC V Siscia 264

Diocletian
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG Siscia 264



O
Diocletian
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus   23x25mm    4.9gm
IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre; B in left field.
In ex. XXIO
RIC V Siscia 263

Diocletian
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG from Siscia

Diocletian
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus   22x24mm    3.7g
IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right, slight drapery over left shoulder.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre; B in right field.
In ex. XXIO
RIC V Siscia 263

Diocletian CONSERVATOR AVGG from Siscia 263

Diocletian
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus   22x23mm   3.6g
IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right, slight drapery over left shoulder.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre.
In ex. BXXIO
RIC Vii Siscia 263

Diocletian CONSERVATOR AVGG from Siscia 263

Diocletian
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus   23mm    3.5g
IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right, slight drapery over left shoulder.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre.
In ex. XXIB•O
RIC V Siscia 263

Diocletian CONSERVATOR AVGG from Siscia 263



BI
Diocletian
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus  25mm     4.5g
IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre; Γ in left field.
In ex. XXI•BI•
RIC V Siscia 263

Diocletian
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG Siscia 263





Diocletian
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus  22x24mm    3.9gm
IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre; Γ in right field.
In ex. •XXI•BI•
RIC V Siscia 263

Diocletian
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG Siscia 263




Diocletian
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus  23mm    3.9gm
IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre.
In ex. XXIΓ•BI•
RIC V Siscia 263

Diocletian
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG Siscia 263


Maximianus


HP
Maximianus
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus   23x24mm    3.3g
IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar.
In ex. AXXIHP
RIC V Siscia 580

Maximianus
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG from Siscia

Maximianus
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus   22x23mm     4.2g
IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar.
In ex. AXXIHP
RIC V Siscia 580

Maximianus
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG from Siscia

Maximianus
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus   23mm    3.2g
IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate, bare bust right.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar; A in right field
In ex. XXIHP
RIC V Siscia 580

Maximianus
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG Siscia 580

Maximianus
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus   23mm    3.9g
IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate, bare bust right.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar; A in left field
In ex. •XXI•HP
RIC V Siscia 580

Maximianus
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG Siscia 580

Maximianus
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus   22mm     3.3g
IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar.
In ex. XXIA•HP
RIC V Siscia 580

Maximianus
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG from Siscia

Maximianus
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus   23mm     4.1g
IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust left.
CONSERVATOR AV-GG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar; A in right field.
In ex. • XXI•HP•
RIC Vii Siscia 580

Not in RIC for the left facing bust, also unusual how the reverse legend is broken by the workshop letter.


Maximianus
                        CONSERVATOR AVGG Siscia 580


Maximianus
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus
22mm 3.6g
IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate, draped and cuirassed bust left.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar.
In ex. •A•XXI•HP•
RIC Vii Siscia 580

bust type not listed in RIC



Maximianus
                        CONSERVATOR AVGG Siscia 580

Maximianus
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus   23x24mm    3.7g
IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P AVG; radiate, bare bust right.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar; A in left field
In ex. XXIHP
RIC Vii Siscia 581

Maximianus CONSERVATOR AVGG Siscia 581



KOY
Maximianus
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus  22x24mm    3.1g
IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar.
In ex. BXXIKOY
RIC V Siscia 580  

Maximianus
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG from Siscia




Maximianus
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus  22mm    3.5g
IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar.
In ex. XXIBKOY
RIC V Siscia 580

Maximianus
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG from Siscia



Maximianus
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus   23x24mm    3.2g
IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right, seen from rear.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar; B in right field
In ex. XXIKOY
RIC V Siscia 580

Maximianus
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG from Siscia

Maximianus
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus  22x23mm    3.8g
IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate, bare bust right.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar; B in right field
In ex. XXIKOY
RIC V Siscia 580

Maximianus
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG Siscia 580

Maximianus
A.D. 289- 290
22mm    3.9g
IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; heroic nude bust right, with drapery over shoulders.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar; B in right field
In ex. XXIKOY
RIC V Siscia 580      Bust type not listed in RIC

Maximianus
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG from Siscia 580 heroic nude bust

Maximianus
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus   22x23mm    3.6g
IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate, bare bust right.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, holds club, with lion skin draping down; stg. face to face, sacrificing at altar; B in right field
In ex. XXIKOY
RIC V Siscia 580      Not listed for Hercules holding club

Maximianus
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG Siscia 580

Maximianus
A.D. 289- 290
22x23mm    3.7g
IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P AVG; heroic nude bust right, with drapery over shoulders.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar; B in right field
In ex. XXIKOY
RIC V Siscia 581      Bust type not listed in RIC

Maximianus
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG from Siscia 581 heroic nude bust



ΛI
Maximianus
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus    22x23mm    3.4g
IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar.
In ex. XXIΓ•ΛI•
RIC V Siscia 580

Maximianus
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG from Siscia



Maximianus
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus    23x25mm    3.6g
IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar.
In ex. •Γ•XXI•ΛI•
RIC V Siscia 580

Maximianus
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG from Siscia

Maximianus
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus    23x26mm    3.7g
IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar; Γ in right.
In ex. •XXI•ΛI•
RIC V Siscia 580

Maximianus
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG from Siscia

Maximianus
A.D. 289- 290
Ӕ Antoninianus    23mm    3.2g
IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right, seen from rear.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar; Γ in right.
In ex. •XXI•ΛI•
RIC V Siscia 580 var. (bust type)

Maximianus
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG from Siscia

Maximianus
A.D. 289- 290
22mm    3.6g
IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; heroic nude bust right, with drapery over left shoulder.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar; Γ in left field
In ex. XXIΛI
RIC V Siscia 580 

Maximianus
                      CONSERVATOR AVGG from Siscia




reference


Roman Imperial Coinage V Part II: Probus to Amandus. London: Spink & Son, 2001.






modified on 1 Nov 2023

Constantine the Great coin