Maxentius MARTI VICTOR I AVG N from Rome

[Victor]

CNG auction 102  Lot 1095

Maxentius. AD 307-312. Æ Follis (25mm, 8.17 g, 12h). Rome mint, 4th officina. 6th emission, struck circa AD 311-312. IMP C MAXENTIVS P F AVG, laureate head right / MARTI VI CTOR I AVG N, Maxentius seated right on cuirass, holding vertical scepter with his left hand, extending his right arm toward Mars and holding globe(?); Mars standing left, holding trophy, grasping the head of Africa, wearing elephant-skin cap, kneeling left at Maxentius’ feet; REQ. RIC VI –; Drost 152/1. VF, dark green and brown surfaces with touches of red, some minor smoothing. Extremely rare.

[Pharsalus]

Wow, never seen this reverse before. Africa is between a rock and a hard place there. Thanks for sharing!

[Victor]

This type was issued to commemorate the defeat of Domitius Alexander, who seized Africa in rebellion against Maxentius. Africa (especially cities like Alexandria) was important, as it was the breadbasket of Rome.

Of course, Maxentius was also a rebel and there is evidence from an inscription that Alexander and Constantine I had entered into an alliance against Maxentius, or at least Domitian wanted an alliance. From a milestone in Africa- IMPP DD NN L DOMITIO ALEXANDRO ET FL CONSTANTINO AVGG. Note, though, that Constantine is listed second.