Ave!

SOLD!

Maximian Hercules, Post abdication Follis, Antioch, Rare!

Æ; 27mm/9.1gm  Struck ca. 305 AD

Con/ about Extremely Fine; Glossy near-black brown patina with earthen fill. Near perfect strikes on both sides, complete legends and sharp details.

Obv/ D N MAXIMIANO FELICISSIMO SEN AVG, laureate bust right, wearing imperial mantle, holding branch and mappa.

Rev/ PROVIDENTIA DEORVM QVIES AVGG, Providentia standing right, extending hand to Quies standing left, S-F across fields. Mintmark AQS.

Ref/ RIC VI Aquileia 64b, rated scarce.

Seller's Note/ All of the legends on both sides of rare this issue bespeak of his new found peace and tranquility. The obverse legend FELICISSIMO notes Maximian's' "great wisdom and foresight" to abdicate. IE; his portrait shows him holding an olive branch (peace) and his consular mappa napkin.

The reverse legend is even more expressive; "By the Foresight of the Gods He will Rest. The figure see left is Providentia, the personification of "Foresight". To right is Quies, holding an olive branch, the personification of Rest and Retirement.

On May 1, 305, the same day that Diocletian abdicated at Nicomedia, Maximian abdicated, evidently reluctantly, at Mediolanum (modern Milan). As the new tetrarchy that succeeded them began to break down, Maximian reclaimed the throne to support his son Maxentius (307). Persuaded to abdicate once more by Diocletian in 308, he lived at the court of Constantine, who had recently married his daughter Fausta. Maximian committed suicide shortly after the suppression of a revolt raised by him against Constantine.

This issue is a true 'scarce' coin, especially in this spectacular condition. For our low price of only $175 you can add this awesome coin to your book for nearly half the cost.