I. Early coinage in the east

Following the promotion of Galerius and the appointment of Maximinus as caesar in 305, the coinage struck in Maximinus' name followed the same "Genius" models as earlier. In Alexandria, Maximinus himself struck some new types commemorating the new tetrachy, similar to the new types introduced by Severus II at Siscia.

Following the assumption of power by Constantine, and the even more brazen revolt by Maxentius, a number of new types with more overtly military themes were struck in the names of Galerius and Maximinus.

104-979

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Galerius

Heraclea, 305-306

obv.- GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; laureate bust right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius stg left holding cornucopia and patera; HT-Δ in ex

RIC VI Her 26b

29mm; 9.3g; nummus

104-593

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Galerius

Serdica, 305-306

obv.- GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB CAESAR; laureate bust right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; •SM•SD• in ex, A in field

RIC VI Ser 13b

27mm; 8.8g; nummus

104-980

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Galerius

Serdica, 305-306

obv.- GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB CAESAR; laureate bust right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius stg left holding cornucopia and patera; in field; in ex

RIC VI Ser 13b

27mm; 9.9g; nummus

104-985

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Galerius

Thessalonica, 308-310

obv.- GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB C; laur bust right

rev.- VIRTVTI EXERCITVS; Mars advancing right, holding transverse spear and trophy. * | Δ in fields. •SM•TS• in ex

RIC VI Thes 38a

25mm; 6.0g; nummus

rated as S in RIC

104-896

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Galerius

Nicomedia, 307

obv.- GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; laur bust right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left holding a patera and cornucopiae. SMNB in ex

RIC VI 49a

24mm; 5.8g; nummus

Listed as R in RIC.

204-030

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Galerius

Cyzicus, 307

obv.- GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; laureate bust right

rev.- GENIO AVGG ET CAESARVM NN; Genius standing facing, head left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, liquors flowing from patera in right hand, cornucopiae in left; * in field, K-Δ in ex

RIC VI Cyz 26a

28mm; 11.7g; nummus

Rated S in RIC

104-725

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Galerius

Cyzicus, 308

obv.- GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB CAES;

rev.- GENIO CAESARIS; Genius standing facing, head left, emptying patera; MK-Γ in ex

RIC VI Cyz 34; Fail 193

27mm; 6.9g; nummus

This is the twin to 104-723 (RIC 35), struck for Galerius as Augustus and Maximinus as Caesar. Galerius must have been in a cranky mood—with Severus dead, Licinius not yet appointed, Maxentius an outlaw, and Constantine out of favor, Maximinus and himself were the only two tetrarchs for whom he bothered to strike coins in this issue. Both are R in RIC.

104-996

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Galerius

Cyzicus, 308

obv.- GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; laureate bust right

rev.- VIRTVS MILITVM; Camp gate with four beacons, MKΔ in ex

RIC VI Cyz 40; Fail 214

27mm; 6.3g; nummus

Rated R in RIC (unlisted for this officina). Plate coin for Failmezgar "Roman Bronze Coins" (Plate 13). ex Tory Failmezgar collection; ex CNG sale 46, lot 1424 (June 24, 1998)

204-081

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Maximinus II

Antioch, 308

obv.- GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; laur bust right

rev.- VIRTVTI EXERCITVS; Virtus advancing right with spear, shield and trophy; Z in field, ANT• in ex

RIC VI Ant 92

25mm; 6.1g; nummus

Rated S in RIC

104-881

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Maximinus II

Alexandria, 305-307

obv.- GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; laureate bust right

rev.- CONCORD IMPERII; Concordia standing facing, head left, leaning on sceptre and holding fold of drapery; S-Δ/P in fields, ALE in ex

RIC VI Ale 52; Fail 042

28mm; 8.1g; nummus

This was struck in the name of both new caesars, Maximinus II and Severus II, expressing the "concord" of the new imperial college.

II. Early coinage in the west

After the abdication of Diocletiand and Maximianus, and the appointment of Maximinus as caesar, Constantius' mints in Britain and Gaul continued striking coins that were essentially unchanged. The new coins for Maximinus were the same Genio Populi Romani types that had been struck for the previous 10 years.

The other new caesar, Severus II, who assumed control over Maximianus' territories, instituted a wide variety of new reverse types : distinctively military motifs in Italy, where Maxentius was about to revolt, and new types in Siscia commemorating the concord and harmony of the new imperial college.

After Maxentius overthrew Severus and took control over his mints, he did not strike any coins for Maximinus. Constantine continued to strike coins for Maximinus until 307, when he formally allied with Maxentius and declared himself augustus, and stopped recognizing Galerius and Maximinus on his coinage.

204-044

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Constantius I

London, 305-306

obv.- GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB C; laureate draped cuirassed bust right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, modius on head, holding patera and cornucopia

RIC VI Lon 57

27mm; 10.0g; nummus

Rated S in RIC. Ex. Dr. J. S. Vogelaar Collection

204-045

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Constantius I

London, 305-306

obv.- MAXIMINVS NOBILISSIMVS C; laureate draped cuirassed bust right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, modius on head, holding patera and cornucopia

RIC VI Lon 59b [var]

28mm; 8.8g; nummus

Unlisted obverse legend — completely unlisted for any mint or coin, in fact. Closest cataloged form is MAXIMINVS NOBILISSIMVS CAES. Should be expected, however, since for Severus II there is a catalogued legend SEVERVS NOBILISSIMVS C. Ex. Dr. J. S. Vogelaar Collection

204-404

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus caesar

—struck by Constantine I

Londinium, 307

obv.- GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB C; laureate cuirassed bust right

rev.- GENIO POP ROM; Genius standing left, towered, loins draped, holding patera in rt. Hand and cornucopiae in left; PLN in ex.

RIC VI Lon 89a

29×26mm; 7.8g; nummus

104-977

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Constantius I

Treveri, 305-307

obv.- GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB C; laureate and cuirassed bust of Maximinus right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius, towered, loins draped, stg left holding cornucopia and patera; S F in field; PTR in ex

RIC VI Tr 667b

28mm; 9.1g; nummus

204-008

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Constantine I

Lugdunum, 305-307

obv.- GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB C; laureate, draped, cuirassed bust of Maximinus right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius, towered, loins draped, stg left holding cornucopia and patera over alter; * in field; PLC in ex

RIC VI Lug 194a

29mm; 11.9g; nummus

rated S in RIC

104-804

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Severus II

Carthage, 305-306

obv.- GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; laureate bust right

rev.- SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART; Carthage standing facing, head left, in long robe, fruits in both hands; I in field, Δ in ex

RIC VI Car 40b; Fail 054

27mm; 10.3g; nummus

This is actually a nice coin with lots of original silvering remaining; the original black patination on the silver makes the photos look crappy, though. (The larger pic looks better...)

104-873

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Severus II

Ticinum, 306

obv.- MAXIMINVS NOB CAESAR; laur bust r

rev.- VIRTVS AVGG ET CAES NN; Mars advancing right in military dress, holding spear right and trophy over shoulder; • in field, ST in ex

RIC VI Tic 74; Fail 055

29mm; 11.1g; nummus

Roman emperors are almost always depicted as either clean-shaven or fully bearded. Maximinus II Daza is an exception to this rule. Early portraits of Maximinus, shortly after his elevation to Caesar, depict him with a mustache of varying length, but with no whiskers on his cheeks or chin. Romans of earlier times viewed the stand-alone mustache as a barbarian facial hair style, but by the early fourth century, the growing number of Germanic recruits in the Roman Army may have spread the style through the ranks. Nevertheless, it never took root among the Roman upper classes, and later depictions of Maximinus show him either clean-shaven or with a proper beard.

104-863

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Severus II

Aquileia, 305-306

obv.- MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; laur bust r

rev.- VIRTVS AVGG ET CAES NN; Mars advancing right in military dress, holding spear right and trophy over shoulder; in ex, AQG

RIC VI Aq 70b; Fail 055

28mm; 9.1g; nummus

rated S in RIC, R in Fail

104-999

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Severus II

Aquileia, 305-306

obv.- MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; laur bust r

rev.- VIRTVS AVGG ET CAESS NN; Prince standing, holding Victory, leaning on spear and shield; captive at feet; AQ-Γ in ex

RIC VI Aq 72a; Fail 057

27mm; 10.1g; nummus

rated R in RIC, R in Fail

204-197

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Severus II

Siscia, 305

obv.- GAL VAL MAXIMINUS NOB C; laureate bust right

rev.- SACRA MONET AVGG ET CAESS NN; Moneta standing left, holding scales and cornucopia; crescent in left field; VI in right field; SISA in ex

RIC VI Sis 157b

29mm; 8.7g; nummus

Rated R2 in RIC

204-026

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Severus II

Siscia, 305-307

obv.- GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB C; laureate bust right

rev.- CONCORDIA IMPERII; Concordia stg left, leaning on sceptre, holding fold of drapery; VI in field, SIS-Γ in ex

RIC VI Sis 173b; Fail 042

27mm; 7.8g; nummus

III. Post-Carnuntum coinage in the east

The Carnuntum Conference in November 308 resulted in Licinius being appointed augustus and in control of the Siscia mint. Maximinus was outraged that Licinius was promoted augustus over the head of Maximinus, who had already been serving as caesar. To placate both Maxminus and Constantine—who shared Maximinus' outrage—Galerius conferred on them the fancier new title of filius augustorum in place of caesar.

While Licinius and Galerius both began striking coins with the new title, Maximinus pointedly ignored it. (He did use it on coins of Constantine, though.) Maximinus evidently continued striking coins as caesar for a short time, but then unilaterally began using the title of augustus. Galerius and Licinius gave up and followed suit.

While Galerius and Licinius continued to be conservative in their choice of reverse types, Maximinus in this period begins to be more innovative, especially at his main mint at Antioch. The new types aggrandize his own imperial majesty and advance his pagan religious themes. Similar to Constantine at about this same time, Sol becomes increasingly prominent.

104-744

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II fil aug

—struck by Licinius I

Siscia, 309-310

obv.- MAXIMINVS FIL AVGG; Laureate head right

rev.- GENIO AVGVSTI; Genius standing left, holding patera and cornucopiae; (crescent)|Γ in field, SIS in ex

RIC VI Sis 200a; Fail 190b

24mm; 6.7g; nummus

rated S in RIC.

104-505

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II fil aug

—struck by Galerius

Thessalonica, 308-310

obv.- MAXIMINVS FIL AVGG; laur bust right

rev.- GENIO CAESARIS; Genius stg left holding patera and cornucopia; SM•TS in ex, star-Δ in field

RIC VI Thes 32a; Fail 193

26mm; 6.0g; nummus

104-986

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II fil aug

—struck by Galerius

Thessalonica, 308-310

obv.- MAXIMINVS FIL AVGG; laur bust right

rev.- VIRTVTI EXERCITVS; Mars advancing right, holding transverse spear and trophy. * | Δ in fields. •SM•TS• in ex

RIC VI Thes 39a

25mm; 6.3g; nummus

rated as S in RIC. Coins from Maximinus II with this reverse are common; coins as filius augustorum are reasonably scarce; but coins that combine both this reverse and struck are filius augustorum are scarce indeed.

204-168

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Galerius

Cyzicus, 308-309

obv.- GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB C; Laureate bust right

rev.- GENIO CAESARIS; Genius standing facing, head left, holding cornucopia and patera; Γ in field, MKV in ex

RIC VI Cyz 43

26mm; 7.4g; nummus

Very well-struck "Genius" on reverse.

104-254

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Galerius

Cyzicus, 308-310

obv.- GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB C; laureate bust right

rev.- GENIO CAESARIS; Genius standing left with modius on head, chlamys over shoulder, holding cornucopia and patera. Γ in field; MKV in ex

RIC VI Cyz 43; Fail 193

26mm; 7.9g; nummus

104-891

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II augustus

—struck by Galerius

Cyzicus, 310

obv.- GALVALMAXIMINVS P F AVG; laur bust right

rev.- VIRTVTI EXERCITVS; Mars advancing right, holding transverse spear, shield, and trophy. Γ and star on either side. MKV in exergue

RIC VI Cyz 64; Fail 212

25mm; 6.9g; nummus

104-478

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II augustus

—struck by Galerius

Nicomedia, 310-311

obv.- IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS P F AVG; Laureate bust right

rev.- GENIO AVGVSTI CH; Genius standing left, holding cornucopia and chlamys, holding patera and pouring liquid; in ex, SMNe

RIC VI Nic 66c; Fail 191b

23mm; 5.4g; nummus

scarcer variety with C[M]H suffix — value indication, 48/lb ?

104-810

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II augustus

—struck by Galerius

Heraclea, 310

obv.- IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINO INV AVG;

rev.- GENIO IMPERATORIS; |* in field; HTB in ex

RIC VI Her 49a; Fail 197a

25mm; 6.8g; nummus

Rated S

104-914

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Maximinus II

Antioch, 310

obv.- MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; Laureate and mantled bust left, holding Victory on globe and shield decorated with riders and prisoners

rev.- MAXIMINVS NOBILISSIMVS CAESAR; Maximinus standing facing, head left, holding globe and scepter; altar with blob to left; Δ in field, ANT in ex

RIC VI Ant 120 [var]

25mm; 7.0g; nummus

How you choose to attribute this depends on whether you interpret the blob next to the altar (the blob is clearly metal, btw, not dirt or other encrustation). If it is the remains of a *, then this coin belongs to the Group V.i issue of 310 and is a variant of RIC 135 (rarity R3), distinguished from that coin by the absence of Victory standing on the globe on the reverse. One problem with this attribution is that in the only other example I've seen, the * was above the altar, not to the left.

If you interpret the blob as simply a die defect or similar irregularity, then the coin is from Group IV.iii, and is a variant of RIC 120 (rarity R2). In this case, RIC 120 is only catalogued for a helmeted bust type F, while this is clearly unhelmeted bust type E.

Neither RIC 120 nor RIC 135 is listed with officina Δ. For that matter, neither is the reverse die break.

204-342

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Maximinus II

Antioch, 310

obv.- MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; Helmeted and cuirassed bust l., holding spear over r. shoulder, wearing on l. arm a shield depicting two horsemen riding down four enemies

rev.- SOLI INVICTO; Sol standing in facing quadriga, raising r. hand and holding globe in l.; beneath, S; in exergue, ANT

RIC VI Ant 145b

24mm; 4.9g; nummus

listed as R3 in RIC

104-755

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II augustus

—struck by Maximinus II

Antioch, 310

obv.- IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS P F AVG; laureate bust right

rev.- SOLE INVICTO; Sol, radiate and in long robe, holding globe, right hand raised, standing in quadriga galloping left; C in field; ANT in ex

RIC VI Ant 142; Fail 208e

23mm; 7.2g; nummus

rated R in RIC

104-936

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II augustus

—struck by Maximinus II

Antioch, 310-311

obv.- IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS P F AVG; laureate bust right

rev.- GENIO EXERCITVS; Genius standing left, naked except for chlamys over shoulder, holding cornucopia and patera from which liquor flows; altar in lower left field; crescent in upper left field; Γ in right field; ANT in ex

RIC VI Ant 147c [var]; Fail 195

23mm; 6.1g; nummus

minor unlisted variant; RIC description has no crescent in field.

204-256

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Maximinus II

Alexandria, 308-310

obv.- GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; Laureate bust right

rev.- GENIO CAESARIS; K|epsilon-P in fields, ALE in ex

RIC VI Ale 100a; Fail 193

25mm; 6.8g; nummus

104-798

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II caesar

—struck by Maximinus II

Alexandria, 308-310

obv.- GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; l-b-r

rev.- GENIO CAESARIS; K|epsilon-P in fields, ALE in ex

RIC VI Ale 100a; Fail 193

24mm; 7.1g; nummus

"Damnatio" scratch across face. This is a rather evocative relic of the period. Galerius and Maximinus spearheaded the last and most vicious persecution of ancient Christian communities. A silent protest of many Christians was to deface the imperial portrait on their coins.

104-895

(click image to see larger picture)

Maximinus II augustus

—struck by Maximinus II

Alexandria, 311

obv.- GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; laur bust right

rev.- BONO GENIO PII IMPERATORIS; Genius holding patera and cornucopiae; crescent-K | A-P in fields, ALE in ex

RIC VI Ale 134 [var]

26mm; 7.8g; nummus

This reverse type is only catalogued for Maximinus as Augustus, after the death of Galerius. So the existence of this coin pushes the date for the BONO GENIO PII type to before the death of Galerius, into the Group IV coinage.

From 308-310, the Genius coins from Alexandria had two different reverse legends : Genio Caesaris for the Caesars, and Genio Imperatoris for the Augusti. The final Caesar coins struck in the name of Maximinus were issued during this period. For 310 and beyond (once the star control mark is added to the field) only the Genio Imperatoris types are recorded for all of the augusti, and no coins are struck for anyone as caesar.

So this coin represents the only use of Maximinus as Caesar for this series, and for the preceding series as well. Plus, it pushes this type to before the death of Galerius.

The only other explanation is that a mint worker in Alexandria mistakenly used an old obverse die of Maximinus as Caesar; given how haughty Maximinus was, and how eager he was to be recognized as Augustus instead of any lesser title, Maximinus presumably would have been none too pleased by the error!