Domitianus GENIO POPVLI ROMANI from Alexandria

[Victor]

Domitius Domitianus was a usurper in Egypt during the reign of Diocletian. The exact dates are disputed, though RIC gives A.D. 295- 296. Other dates are 296- 297 and 297- 298. There has also been speculation that the rebellion was due in part to the monetary reforms of Diocletian.

Due to the short rule of this usurper, his coins are rare and expensive; but one can also get coins struck by Domitianus for the members of the tetrarchy. He actually struck coins in the names of all the rulers (Diocletian, Maximianus, Constantius I and Galerius [RIC VI Alexandria 18- 21] ) most likely in an attempt to gain favor and demonstrate that he was not actually rebelling...which did not work.

It is easier to find coins of Domitianus online than those he issued in the names of the tetrarchy. Though RIC rates them as common, I expect that they are actually a bit rarer.

These GENIO POPVLI ROMANI have an eagle to the left of Genio and the workshop is in the right field. The left field is also empty; while the first issue after the defeat of Domitius has a ✶ in the left field.

[tjaart]

Thank you very much, Victor. This is extremely interesting. So if I understand correctly, if the left field in RIC VI Alexandria 18- 21 is empty, it was issued by Domitianus? Or are there any other characteristics as well?

Tjaart

[Victor]

Yes, the Domitianus coins have the left field empty, with the eagle to the left of Genio. So if one pays attention and perhaps gets a little lucky, a cheap example is possible.

[Victor]

here's is an example for Maximianus that was just listed on Vcoins

seller's description--

MAXIMIANUS I, AD 286-310. AE Follis (9.72g) issued by Domitianus.
 
Laureate bust of Maximianus / Genius standing pouring liquor from patera, eagle at feet, ALE in exergue.
Alexandria mint, 3rd officina, c. 295/296. 25mm. RIC VI, 18b.

[Victor]

another Maximianus



Maximianus
A.D. 295- 296
25x26mm    8.4gm
IMP C M A MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; laureate head right.
GENIO POPV-LI ROMANI; Genius standing left, modius on head, naked except for chlamys over left shoulder, holding patera and cornucopiae, eagle with wreath in beak at feet to left; B in right.
In ex. ALE
RIC VI Alexandria 18b


and a bit rough Constantius I



Constantius I
A.D. 295- 296
26mm    8.9gm
FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES, laureate head right.
GENIO POPV-LI ROMANI, Genius standing left, modius on head, naked except for chlamys over left shoulder, holding patera and cornucopiae, eagle with wreath in beak at feet to left; Γ in right.
In ex. ALE
RIC VI Alexandria 21a

[Victor]

I just got a nicer example for Maximianus

Maximianus
A.D. 295- 296
24x26mm     10.0gm
IMP C M A MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; laureate head right.
GENIO POPV-LI ROMANI; Genius standing left, modius on head, naked except for chlamys over left shoulder, holding patera and cornucopiae, eagle with wreath in beak at feet to left; A in right.
In ex. ALE
RIC VI Alexandria 18b

[Severus Alexander]

Congrats, that new Max is a beauty! (If you're getting rid of your old one, let me know... he's the only one I'm missing besides the big DD himself.)

Here's my best one, ex Dattari:

[Victor]

I just got an example for Galerius

RIC VI Alexandria 21b    25mm   8.6g

[Victor]

I just got an example for Domitius Domitianus


Domitius Domitianus
A.D. 295- 296
24mm     10.8g
IMP C L DOMITIVS DOMITIANVS AVG; laureate head right.
GENIO POPV-LI ROMANI; Genius standing left, modius on head, naked except for chlamys over left shoulder, holding patera and cornucopiae, eagle to left; A in right.
In ex. ALE
RIC VI Alexandria 20


http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/Alexandria/

[Victor]

it's been a while since I added one of these, here's a Constantius I...surfaces are a little rough though.


Constantius I
A.D. 295- 296
26mm    11.7gm
FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES, laureate head right.
GENIO POPVLI ROMANI, Genius standing left, modius on head, naked except for chlamys over left shoulder, holding patera and cornucopiae, eagle with wreath in beak at feet to left; B in right.
In ex. ALE   
RIC VI Alexandria 21a   

[Victor]

I just got workshop Γ for Maximianus...so I have examples from all three workshops


Maximianus
A.D. 295- 296
26mm      9.4g
IMP C M A MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; laureate head right.
GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, modius on head, naked except for chlamys over left shoulder, holding patera and cornucopiae, eagle at feet to left; Γ in right.
In ex. ALE 
RIC VI Alexandria 18b

[Victor]

I just got workshop A for Galerius