Carthage and the Quinquegentiani
The Quinquegentiani (People of the Five Tribes) were a confederation of Berbers in North Africa. They were under Roman rule, but rebelled in A.D. 289 and were successful for a few years until Maximianus Herculius launched a series of devastating attacks starting in A.D. 296-297 and finishing in A.D. 298, after which, the Quinquegentiani were never heard of again. "On 10 March (A.D. 298) Herculius entered Carthage in triumph after the completion of his African campaign" (RIC VI pg 23)
History makes little mention of the Quinquegentiani-- “Maximianus Augustus, too, ended the war in Africa by crushing the Quinquegentiani and compelling them to make peace.” (Eutropius pg 62)
The coinage from Carthage struck during this period references the campaign against the Quinquegentiani as the mint was only opened because of the war. When Maximianus arrived in Carthage sometime in 296- 297, he needed to open a mint to have funds to pay for the war. The types struck in Carthage were also specific to the city and not struck anywhere else in the Empire. The coin type commonly struck throughout the Empire at this time was the GENIO POPVLI ROMANI, a type which Carthage did not even strike. The coins that Carthage minted were specific to the city of Carthage and current events, like FELIX ADVENT AVGG NN and SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS (AVCTA) (FEL) KART which all reference the campaign and demonstrate how grateful the citizens of Carthage were to Maximianus for their salvation from the Quinquegentiani.
"The reverses of either kind, are to be referred to Herculius' presence in Africa, his successes against the Quinquegentiani, and in particular his final and triumphal prescence in Carthage itself, where he was in residence as late as March 298." (RIC VI pg 415)
Trier also issued a type which referenced these events- the FORTVNAE REDVCI reverse "these should echo the successful termination of Constantius' Rhenish campaigns by 299 and of Herculius' African campaign (followed by his visit to Rome) in 298" (RIC VI pg 149)
In A.D. 306, Maxentius took control of Carthage and continued to strike the SALVIS type; but he also struck some new reverse types that I believe also reference the victory over the Quinquegentiani. Maxentius struck these in the names of all the rulers, but most importantly, in the name of his father—Maximianus Herculius. This was an attempt by Maxentius to remind the people of Carthage who he was related to and that they perhaps owed him also. The types were CONSERVATORES KART SVAE and CONSERVATORES AFRICAE SVAE
some notes on Carthage style
"The fact that the mint of Carthage was established in sudden connection with military needs explains its reflection of the style of Rome in its portraiture- it would have been natural that models should be supplied from Rome to Carthage- and perhaps also the rapid sequence of aes issues. But, although Carthage may have drawn on Roman portrait models and certainly borrowed from Rome a system of officina- marking which assigned formal seniority to the four rulers, the types used by Carthage in all three metals were peculiar to herself...Genio Populi Romani never appears at Carthage, either during the first tetrarchy or later. Moreover, in contrast to the strong, neat style of the Roman- derived obverses, the reverse of Carthage coins show a treatment, much less skilled or sophisticated, which appears to mark them out as the products of local engravers little touched by metropolitan influences." (RIC VI)
Another particular aspect is that these Carthage issues usually have a ragged flan, due to the way they were cast. At all the mints, flans were cast; but at Carthage they were cast more roughly. They seem to have been sand cast or perhaps rough clay molds were used by Carthage mint workers.
Maxentius shut down the mint at Carthage in A.D. 307, but it was re-opened during the revolt of Domitius Alexander for a few years (A.D. 308- 311) before Maxentius defeated him. After Constantine defeated Maxentius in A.D. 312, there was no more need for a mint in Carthage, and it never re-opened during the Constantinian period.
SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS (AVCTA) (FEL) KART -- With the Emperor and Caesars being safe, happy Carthage is strengthened.
Kos, Peter. The Carthage Aes Nummi of the First Tetrarchy. Studia Numismatica Labacensia (1988) 99-108.
The 2nd Tetrarchy-- Group 2
A.D. May 305- July 306
Augusti-- Constantius I, Galerius
Caesars-- Severus, Maximinus II
Seniors-- Diocletian, Maximianus
Group 3
A.D. July 306- Nov 306
Augusti-- Galerius, Severus
Caesars-- Maximinus II, Constantine I
Seniors-- Diocletian, Maximianus
Group 4
A.D. Nov 306- mid 307
Augusti-- Maximianus, Maxentius
Caesars-- Maxentius, Maximinus II, Constantine I
Group 5
A.D. 308- 311
Domitius Alexander
"H" issue from Trier
A series of coins from Trier was issued for all the rulers with an H under the bust to celebrate the family members of Hercules-- Maximianus and Constantius. RIC says it was issued when "Constantius' British campaign was successfully concluded" This is his campaign against Carausius and Allectus. It also commemorated the beginning of the campaign of Maximianus against the Quinquegentiani in North Africa. Though rated as "common" in RIC, they seem not so common in the wild.
The Galerius coin not in RIC for this series with nothing in the right field. The next series has something in both left and right fields. According to RIC, this issue was struck circa 295. This date is fine for commemorating the victory of Constantius over Carausius and then Allectus as the invasion of England was finished in A.D. 296, so this coin fits nicely into that timeline. The campaign of Maximianus against the Quinquegentiani did not start until 296 though.
Maybe this issue originally only commemorated the campaign of Constantius, but the H under bust types continued into the beginning of the Carthage campaign. Maybe the issue with the mark only in left was actually struck a bit later than RIC has; as the date was listed as "circa 295" and even states that "Chronology in this section is difficult."
modified on 24 June 2025
The Quinquegentiani (People of the Five Tribes) were a confederation of Berbers in North Africa. They were under Roman rule, but rebelled in A.D. 289 and were successful for a few years until Maximianus Herculius launched a series of devastating attacks starting in A.D. 296-297 and finishing in A.D. 298, after which, the Quinquegentiani were never heard of again. "On 10 March (A.D. 298) Herculius entered Carthage in triumph after the completion of his African campaign" (RIC VI pg 23)
History makes little mention of the Quinquegentiani-- “Maximianus Augustus, too, ended the war in Africa by crushing the Quinquegentiani and compelling them to make peace.” (Eutropius pg 62)
The coinage from Carthage struck during this period references the campaign against the Quinquegentiani as the mint was only opened because of the war. When Maximianus arrived in Carthage sometime in 296- 297, he needed to open a mint to have funds to pay for the war. The types struck in Carthage were also specific to the city and not struck anywhere else in the Empire. The coin type commonly struck throughout the Empire at this time was the GENIO POPVLI ROMANI, a type which Carthage did not even strike. The coins that Carthage minted were specific to the city of Carthage and current events, like FELIX ADVENT AVGG NN and SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS (AVCTA) (FEL) KART which all reference the campaign and demonstrate how grateful the citizens of Carthage were to Maximianus for their salvation from the Quinquegentiani.
"The reverses of either kind, are to be referred to Herculius' presence in Africa, his successes against the Quinquegentiani, and in particular his final and triumphal prescence in Carthage itself, where he was in residence as late as March 298." (RIC VI pg 415)
Trier also issued a type which referenced these events- the FORTVNAE REDVCI reverse "these should echo the successful termination of Constantius' Rhenish campaigns by 299 and of Herculius' African campaign (followed by his visit to Rome) in 298" (RIC VI pg 149)
In A.D. 306, Maxentius took control of Carthage and continued to strike the SALVIS type; but he also struck some new reverse types that I believe also reference the victory over the Quinquegentiani. Maxentius struck these in the names of all the rulers, but most importantly, in the name of his father—Maximianus Herculius. This was an attempt by Maxentius to remind the people of Carthage who he was related to and that they perhaps owed him also. The types were CONSERVATORES KART SVAE and CONSERVATORES AFRICAE SVAE
some notes on Carthage style
"The fact that the mint of Carthage was established in sudden connection with military needs explains its reflection of the style of Rome in its portraiture- it would have been natural that models should be supplied from Rome to Carthage- and perhaps also the rapid sequence of aes issues. But, although Carthage may have drawn on Roman portrait models and certainly borrowed from Rome a system of officina- marking which assigned formal seniority to the four rulers, the types used by Carthage in all three metals were peculiar to herself...Genio Populi Romani never appears at Carthage, either during the first tetrarchy or later. Moreover, in contrast to the strong, neat style of the Roman- derived obverses, the reverse of Carthage coins show a treatment, much less skilled or sophisticated, which appears to mark them out as the products of local engravers little touched by metropolitan influences." (RIC VI)
Another particular aspect is that these Carthage issues usually have a ragged flan, due to the way they were cast. At all the mints, flans were cast; but at Carthage they were cast more roughly. They seem to have been sand cast or perhaps rough clay molds were used by Carthage mint workers.
Maxentius shut down the mint at Carthage in A.D. 307, but it was re-opened during the revolt of Domitius Alexander for a few years (A.D. 308- 311) before Maxentius defeated him. After Constantine defeated Maxentius in A.D. 312, there was no more need for a mint in Carthage, and it never re-opened during the Constantinian period.
The first
Tetrarchy-- Group 1
A.D. 296- 305
Augustii-- Diocletian, Maximianus
Caesars-- Constantius I, Galerius
A.D. 296- 305
Augustii-- Diocletian, Maximianus
Caesars-- Constantius I, Galerius
FELIX
ADVENT AVGG NN -- The welcome arrival of our Emperors
Some of
these coins have an H or an I in the reverse fields.
These are the first letter of the names of the Roman
gods Hercules and Jupiter (Jove). Diocletian and
Maximianus claimed lineage with the gods- Diocletian
was in the family of Jupiter and Maximianus was in the
family of Hercules. Their respective Caesar was also
related to the deity.
"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
Carthage also struck some fractional bronze coinage-- VOT X (for Caesars) and VOT XX (for Augustii) circa A.D. 303 to celebrate anniversaries. These coins have an FK on the reverse for FELIX KARTHAGO-- Happy Carthage.
The workshops at Carthage are assigned in an orderly fashion, with the first workshop going to most senior ruler and so on. At first (during A.D. 296) there were three workshops (P,S,T) and the Caesars shared the third workshop. Shortly a fourth workshop (Q) was added, which was used for the junior Caesar. The use of Roman numbered workshops (Prima, Secunda, Tertia, Quarta) stopped in A.D. 297, and Carthage started using Greek numbers for the four workshops-- A,B, Γ Δ, still assigning workshops based on seniority. So for the first Tetrarchy (Group 1), the order was Diocletian (A), Maximianus (B), Constantius (Γ) and Galerius (Δ). For Group 2 the order was Constantius (A), Galerius (B), Severus (Γ), and Maximinus (Δ). This pattern continues until A.D. 306 and then there are only a few exceptions-- some abdication issues with PROVIDENTIA DEORVM QVIES AVGG types and some of the issues under Maxentius in Group 4.
"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
Carthage also struck some fractional bronze coinage-- VOT X (for Caesars) and VOT XX (for Augustii) circa A.D. 303 to celebrate anniversaries. These coins have an FK on the reverse for FELIX KARTHAGO-- Happy Carthage.
The workshops at Carthage are assigned in an orderly fashion, with the first workshop going to most senior ruler and so on. At first (during A.D. 296) there were three workshops (P,S,T) and the Caesars shared the third workshop. Shortly a fourth workshop (Q) was added, which was used for the junior Caesar. The use of Roman numbered workshops (Prima, Secunda, Tertia, Quarta) stopped in A.D. 297, and Carthage started using Greek numbers for the four workshops-- A,B, Γ Δ, still assigning workshops based on seniority. So for the first Tetrarchy (Group 1), the order was Diocletian (A), Maximianus (B), Constantius (Γ) and Galerius (Δ). For Group 2 the order was Constantius (A), Galerius (B), Severus (Γ), and Maximinus (Δ). This pattern continues until A.D. 306 and then there are only a few exceptions-- some abdication issues with PROVIDENTIA DEORVM QVIES AVGG types and some of the issues under Maxentius in Group 4.
Diocletian
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Diocletian A.D. 297 26mm 9.1g IMP DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; laureate head right. FELIX ADVENT AVGG NN; Africa standing left, holding labarum and tusk; at feet, lion with captured bull, in left field A in ex. PKP RIC VI Carthage 21a Ex Rauceby Hoard 2017 |
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| Diocletian A.D. 297- 298 26mm 8.4gm IMP DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; laureate head right. FELIX ADVENT AVGG NN; Africa standing left, holding labarum and tusk; at feet, lion with captured bull, in left field I in ex. PKP RIC VI Carthage 23a |
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| Diocletian A.D. 297- 298 26x29mm 9.4g IMP DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; laureate bust right. FELIX ADVENT AVGG NN; Africa standing left, holding labarum and tusk; at feet, lion with captured bull, in right field I. In ex. PKA RIC VI Carthage 25a |
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Diocletian |
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Maximianus
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Maximianus A.D. 297- 298 27x28mm 8.3g IMP MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; laureate head right. FELIX ADVENT AVGG NN; Africa standing left, holding labarum and tusk; at feet, lion with captured bull, in left field H. in ex. PKS RIC VI Carthage 23b |
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| Maximianus A.D. 297- 298 26x29mm 10.4gm IMP MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; laureate head right. FELIX ADVENT AVGG NN; Africa standing left, holding labarum and tusk; at feet, lion with captured bull, in left field H. in ex. PKB RIC VI Carthage 25b |
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| Maximianus A.D. 297- 298 25x28mm 9.7g IMP MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; laureate head right. FELIX ADVENT AVGG NN; Africa standing left, holding labarum and tusk; at feet, lion with captured bull, in right field H. in ex. PKB RIC VI Carthage 25b |
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| Maximianus A.D. 303 22x23mm 2.3g IMP C MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; Radiate and draped bust at right. VOT XX FK; three lines in wreath. RIC VI Carthage 37b
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Constantius
I
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Constantius I AD 296- 298 AR Argenteus 18mm 2.7g CONSTANTIVS CAES; Laureate head right F ADVENT AVGG NN; Africa standing facing, head left, holding standard and tusk; at her feet, lion standing left, head right, with bucranium to left. In ex. T RIC VI 14a Ex-Charles Oman collection |
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| Constantius I A.D. 297 26x28mm 9.1g CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES; laureate head right. FELIX ADVENT AVGG NN; Africa standing left, holding labarum and tusk; at feet, lion with captured bull, in left field Γ. In ex PKT RIC VI Carthage 22a |
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| Constantius I A.D. 297- 298 26x28mm 8.4g CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES; laureate head right. FELIX ADVENT AVGG NN; Africa standing left, holding labarum and tusk; at feet, lion with captured bull, in left field H. In ex PKΓ RIC VI Carthage 26a |
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| Constantius I A.D. 297- 298 27x28mm 10.0g CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES; laureate head right. FELIX ADVENT AVGG NN; Africa standing left, holding labarum and tusk; at feet, lion with captured bull, in right field H. In ex PKΓ RIC VI Carthage 26a |
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Constantius
I
A.D. 303 Ӕ fraction 20x22mm 2.6g FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB C; Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. VOT X FK; three lines in wreath. RIC VI Carthage 35a |
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Galerius
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Galerius A.D. 297 28mm 9.4g MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES, Laureate bust right. FELIX ADVENT AVGG NN; Africa standing left, holding labarum and tusk; at feet, lion with captured bull; Δ in left field. In ex. PKQ RIC VI Carthage 22b |
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| Galerius A.D. 297-298 30mm 9.6g MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES, Laureate bust right. FELIX ADVENT AVGG NN; Africa standing left, holding labarum and tusk; at feet, lion with captured bull; I in left field. In ex. PKQ RIC VI Carthage 24b |
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| Galerius A.D. 297-298 28x29mm 9.7g MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES, Laureate bust right. FELIX ADVENT AVGG NN; Africa standing left, holding labarum and tusk; at feet, lion with captured bull; I in left field. In ex. PKΔ RIC VI Carthage 26b |
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| Galerius A.D. 297-298 26mm 10.3g MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES, Laureate bust right. FELIX ADVENT AVGG NN; Africa standing left, holding labarum and tusk; at feet, lion with captured bull; I in right field. In ex. PKΔ RIC VI Carthage 26b |
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| Galerius A.D. 303 Ӕ fraction 20x22mm 2.7g GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS NOB C; Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. VOT X FK; three lines in wreath. RIC VI Carthage 35b |
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SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS (AVCTA) (FEL) KART -- With the Emperor and Caesars being safe, happy Carthage is strengthened.
Some
of the references below have two RIC numbers. That is
because RIC breaks up this issue by portrait head size.
Numbers 29-30 are smaller and 31- 32 are larger. In the
footnotes though, RIC states "Elmer, N.Z. 1932, divided
this issue into two sections, with portraits small or
less small and with Carthago thin or
larger--distinctions which are very difficult to
maintain. It is likely that, if the issue was of any
duration, these differences came about to some extent by
natural variation and development." So, these coins
should not have been given separate RIC numbers as it is
too hard to differentiate them; which is why they are
catalogued like Carthage 29a/31a below.
Carthage is described as holding fruits in both hands,
though sometimes it looks like grain. Sometimes it seems
to be a combination of both. The fruit/ grain is usually
held dangling from the hands, but sometimes points up,
like a stalk of grain. Sometimes one hand holds the
object pointed up and the other hand holds it pointed
down.
Kos, Peter. The Carthage Aes Nummi of the First Tetrarchy. Studia Numismatica Labacensia (1988) 99-108.
Diocletian
|
Diocletian A.D. 298-303 27x29mm 9.3g IMP DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; Laureate head right. SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands. In ex. A RIC VI Carthage 29a/31a |
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Maximianus
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Maximianus A.D. 298- 303 26x29mm 9.3g IMP MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; Laureate head right. SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS AVCTA KART; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands. In ex. B RIC VI Carthage 27b |
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| Maximianus A.D. 298-303 28mm 10.4g IMP MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; Laureate head right. SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands. In ex. B RIC VI Carthage 29b/31b |
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| Maximianus A.D. 298-303 28mm 9.8g IMP MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; Laureate head right. SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands. In ex. B RIC VI Carthage 29b/31b |
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| Maximianus A.D. 303 27mm 11.2g IMP MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; Laureate head right. SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands; H in left field. In ex. B RIC VI Carthage 33b |
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Constantius
I
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Constantius I A.D. 298- 299 26x28mm 10.00g CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES; laureate head right. SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS AVCTA KART; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands. In ex Γ RIC VI Carthage 28a |
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| Constantius I A.D. 298- 303 26x27mm 8.4g CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES; laureate head right. SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands. In ex Γ RIC VI Carthage 30a/ 32a |
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| Constantius I A.D. 298- 303 27mm 9.2g CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES; laureate head right. SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands. In ex Γ RIC VI Carthage 30a/ 32a |
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| Constantius I A.D. 303 30mm 9.0g CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES; laureate head right. SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands; H in left field. In ex Γ RIC VI Carthage 34a Ex-Lindgren |
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Galerius
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Galerius A.D. 298- 303 27x30mm 8.6g MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES; laureate head right. SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands. In ex. Δ RIC VI Carthage 30b/32b |
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| Galerius A.D. 298- 303 26mm 7.7g MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES; laureate head right. SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands. In ex. Δ RIC VI Carthage 30b/32b Ex Rauceby Hoard |
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The 2nd Tetrarchy-- Group 2
A.D. May 305- July 306
Augusti-- Constantius I, Galerius
Caesars-- Severus, Maximinus II
Seniors-- Diocletian, Maximianus
Constantius
I
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Constantius I A.D. 305- 306 26x27mm 11.4g IMP CONSTANTIVS P F AVG; Laureate head right. SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands; H in left field. In ex. A RIC VI Carthage 39a |
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Galerius
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Galerius A.D. 305- 306 26x31mm 7.9g IMP MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; laureate head right. SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands; I in left field. In ex. B RIC VI Carthage 39b |
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Severus II
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Severus II A.D. 305- 306 27x31mm 10.4g FL VAL SEVERVS NOB CAES; Laureate head right. SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands; H in left field. In ex. Γ RIC VI Carthage 40a |
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Maximinus II
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Group 3
A.D. July 306- Nov 306
Augusti-- Galerius, Severus
Caesars-- Maximinus II, Constantine I
Seniors-- Diocletian, Maximianus
Galerius
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Galerius A.D. 306 26x28mm 8.5g IMP MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; Laureate head right. SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands; I in left field. In ex. A RIC VI Carthage 43a |
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| Galerius A.D. 306 29mm 8.9g IMP MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; Laureate head right. SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands; I in left field. In ex. A RIC VI Carthage 43a |
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Severus II
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Severus II A.D. 306 28mm 10.7g IMP SEVERVS P F AVG; Laureate head right. SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands; H in left field. In ex. B RIC VI Carthage 43b |
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Constantine I
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Constantine I A.D. 306 28x29mm 8.8g FL VAL CONSTANTINVS NOB CAES; laureate head facing right. SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART; Carthago standing facing, head left in long robe, holding fruits in both hands. H in left field. In ex. Δ RIC VI Carthage 44b |
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Group 4
A.D. Nov 306- mid 307
Augusti-- Maximianus, Maxentius
Caesars-- Maxentius, Maximinus II, Constantine I
Maximianus
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Maximianus A.D. 307 24x25mm 6.5g IMP MAXIMIANVS SEN AVG; laureate head right. CONSERVATORES KART SVAE; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands, within hexastyle temple with plain pediment. In ex. PKA RIC VI Carthage 59 |
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Maxentius
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Maxentius A.D. 306 28mm 10.1gm M AVR MAXENTIVS NOB CAES; Laureate head right. SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands; H in left field. In ex. Δ RIC VI Carthage 51a |
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| Maxentius A.D. 307 28mm 9.6g IMP MAXENTIVS P F AVG; Laureate head right. CONSERVATOR AFRICAE SVAE; Africa standing facing, head left, in long drapery with elephant skin headdress, right holding standard, left tusk, at feet to left lion with captured bull, in right field I.; SE in left field, F in right. In ex. Γ RIC VI Carthage 57 |
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| Maxentius A.D. 307 25mm 6.6g IMP MAXENTIVS P F AVG; laureate head right. CONSERVATO-RES KART SVAE; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding up fruits, within hexastyle temple with unadorned pediment; In ex. PKB RIC VI Carthage 60 |
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Maximinus II
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Maximinus II A.D. 305- 306 25x28mm 9.6gm GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; laureate head right. SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands; I in left field. In ex. B RIC VI Carthage 51b |
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Constantine
I
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Constantine I A.D. 306- 307 25x26mm 9.3g FL VAL CONSTANTINVS NOB CAES; laureate head facing right. SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART; Carthago standing facing, head left in long robe, holding fruits in both hands. H in left field. In ex. Γ RIC VI Carthage 51c |
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| Constantine I A.D. 306-307 27mm 9.4g FL VAL CONSTANTINVS NOB CAES; laureate head right. CONSERVATOR AFRICAE SVAE; Africa standing facing, head left, in long drapery with elephant skin headdress, right holding standard, left tusk, at feet to left lion with captured bull, H-ER across fields. In ex. Δ RIC VI Carthage 55 This coin has several reasons why it is special-- 1. It's Constantine as Caesar. Maxentius was trying to ally with Constantine by issuing coins for him; though he was merely awarded the title of Caesar. Maxentius also gave Constantine the last workshop, reserved for most junior. This is also the issue that Maxentius changed his title to Augustus. So, this issue was actually a bit insulting to Constantine, meant to remind him he was most junior. 2. This series is tough to find...RIC says it is "rare to very rare" 3. The reverse legend for this type with the personification of Africa changes from FELIX ADVENT AVGG NN to CONSERVATOR AFRICAE SVAE 4. The fields have H ER for Hercules. The three rulers represented in this series were Maximianus, Maxentius and Constantine; who were all in the family of Hercules. None of these coins were struck for Maximinus, who was in the family of Jupiter. |
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| Constantine I A.D. 307 27x28mm 7.8g FL VAL CONSTANTINVS NOB CAES; laureate head right. CONSERVATOR AFRICAE SVAE; Africa standing facing, head left, in long drapery with elephant skin headdress, right holding standard, left tusk, at feet to left lion with captured bull, in right field I.; S in left field, F in right. In ex. Δ RIC VI Carthage --; Drost 24 |
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| Constantine I A.D. 307 28mm 8.7g FL VAL CONSTANTINVS NOB CAES; laureate head right. CONSERVATOR AFRICAE SVAE; Africa standing facing, head left, in long drapery with elephant skin headdress, right holding standard, left tusk, at feet to left lion with captured bull, in right field I.; SE in left field, F in right. In ex. Δ RIC VI Carthage 58 |
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Constantine I A.D. 307 24x25mm 6.3g CONSTANTINVS NOB CAES; laureate head right CONSERVATORES KART SVAE; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands, within hexastyle temple with plain pediment. In ex. PKΔ RIC VI Carthage 61 |
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| Constantine I A.D. 307 26mm 6.9g CONSTANTINVS NOB CAES; laureate head right CONSERVATORES KART SVAE; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands, within hexastyle temple with plain pediment. In ex. PKΔ RIC VI Carthage 61 |
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Group 5
A.D. 308- 311
Domitius Alexander
"H" issue from Trier
A series of coins from Trier was issued for all the rulers with an H under the bust to celebrate the family members of Hercules-- Maximianus and Constantius. RIC says it was issued when "Constantius' British campaign was successfully concluded" This is his campaign against Carausius and Allectus. It also commemorated the beginning of the campaign of Maximianus against the Quinquegentiani in North Africa. Though rated as "common" in RIC, they seem not so common in the wild.
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Diocletian
A.D. 296- 297 Ӕ follis 26mm 10.3g IMP DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; laureate head right, H under bust. GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, right holding patera, left cornucopiae; B in left, Γ in right. In ex. TR RIC VI Trier 171a |
Maximianus
A.D. 296- 297 Ӕ follis 27mm 10g IMP MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; laureate head right, H under bust. GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, right holding patera, left cornucopiae; A in left, Γ in right. In ex. TR RIC VI Trier 171b |
Constantius
I
A.D. 296- 297 Ӕ follis 24x27mm 7.1g CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES; laureate head right, H under bust. GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, right holding patera, left cornucopiae; B in left, Γ in right. In ex. TR RIC VI Trier 214a |
Galerius
circa A.D. 295 Ӕ follis 26mm 9.6g MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES; laureate head right, H under bust. GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, right holding patera, left cornucopiae; B in left. In ex. TR cf. RIC VI Trier 158 |
The Galerius coin not in RIC for this series with nothing in the right field. The next series has something in both left and right fields. According to RIC, this issue was struck circa 295. This date is fine for commemorating the victory of Constantius over Carausius and then Allectus as the invasion of England was finished in A.D. 296, so this coin fits nicely into that timeline. The campaign of Maximianus against the Quinquegentiani did not start until 296 though.
Maybe this issue originally only commemorated the campaign of Constantius, but the H under bust types continued into the beginning of the Carthage campaign. Maybe the issue with the mark only in left was actually struck a bit later than RIC has; as the date was listed as "circa 295" and even states that "Chronology in this section is difficult."
modified on 24 June 2025