MAXENTIUS. Fides Military Standards. Scarce Ostia mint in Italy large Roman Coin

Description: Ancient Roman Coin of MAXENTIUS. Ostia, Italy Mint MAXENTIUS 307-312 AD Maxentius, Latin in full Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maxentius. His father, the emperor Maximian, abdicated with Diocletian in 305. In the new tetrarchy (two augusti with a caesar under each) that was set up after these abdications, Maxentius was passed over in favour of Flavius Valerius Severus, who was made a caesar and then, in 306, an augustus. But discontent with the policies of Severus at Rome caused Maxentius to be proclaimed princeps there on October 28, 306, by the Praetorian Guard. In 307 he took the title augustus. Maximian, recalled to the throne to support Maxentius, defeated and killed Severus in 307. In 308, however, father and son quarreled, and Maximian sought refuge with Constantine, who had been Maximian’s ally since Maximian married his daughter Fausta to Constantine and designated him augustus in 307. Maxentius at first controlled Italy and Africa but not Spain, which was controlled by Constantine. In 308 the vicar of Africa, Lucius Domitius Alexander, revolted and proclaimed himself augustus. Africa was recovered by Maxentius’s praetorian prefect, but Maxentius was killed by Constantine at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312. On the eve of the decisive battle of the Milvian bridge, Constantine was visited by an Angel while he slept which showed him a Christogram (the first two letters of "Christ" in Greek - Chi, Rho) and the Angel thus spoke:"IN HOC SIGNO VICTOR ERIS", meaning in Latin "In this sign [of Christ], you will be the victor." Billon Follis. 5.61g. 26.5mm (a U.S. Quarter is 24mm 5.6g). Ostia mint, Second officina. Struck AD 309-312.Obverse: IMP C MAXENTIVS P F AVG. Laureate head right. Reverse: FIDES MILITVM AVG N, Fides standing facing, head left, holding two signa (Military Standards); MOSTS in exergue (Moneta OSTia Secunda [Secunda =Second officina]). Ref. RIC 45 ~ Rated Scarce. Very Fine, rich multi-hued dark olive patina. Ex Roma Numismatics, London, UK. E-Sale 46 Lot 807, May 6, 2018 See it here (you will need to copy/paste link): https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=5050312 Ostia was the harbour city of ancient Rome, 15 miles southwest of Rome. "Ostia" is a derivation of "os", the Latin word for "mouth". At the mouth of the River Tiber, Ostia was Rome's seaport, but due to silting the site now lies from the sea. The site is noted for the excellent preservation of its ancient buildings, magnificent frescoes and impressive mosaics. For almost six hundred years, the Roman port of Ostia served as the chief conduit of trade between Rome and the rest of the Mediterranean world. According to historian Michael Grant, “Ostia…handled the largest volume of goods of any Mediterranean port except Alexandria.” Ostia’s growth began in the pre-Republican period, emerging in the second century AD as a flourishing commercial city of over 50,000 inhabitants. Today, the ancient ruins demonstrate that Ostia was one of the most diverse cities of the Roman World. In 308/309 AD Maxentius moved the mint of Aquileia to Ostia, but this was a short-lived event. The mint was closed in 313 AD. There are indications that the economy of Ostia was recovering in the fourth century. Many inscriptions from this period have been preserved, and the building activity increased, albeit with reused material (the marble slabs of the Fasti were used as thresholds). But Ostia was from now on primarily a pleasant living environment. Many expensive habitations (domus) were built from the later third until the first quarter of the fifth century. These houses were probably owned by merchants who lived in Ostia and worked in Portus. In 387 AD S. Augustine stayed in Ostia with his mother Monica, who died there: "... she and I stood alone, leaning in a certain window, from which the garden of the house we occupied at Ostia could be seen; at which place, removed from the crowd, we were resting ourselves for the voyage (to Africa), after the fatigues of a long journey". The area along the Tiber had been abandoned, and here rubble was dumped on the streets, to create a barrier (in places four metres high), to protect the southern part of the city from Tiber floodings. An inscription from the late fourth century mentions the transfer of a statue "from sordid places" (ex sordentibus locis). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OUR GUARANTEE: All illustrations are of the actual item offered. The authenticity of all pieces is fully guaranteed. Any item ever shown otherwise may be returned unaltered for full refund less shipping. Additionally, if any item purchased is not to your satisfaction you may return it unaltered within 30 days of purchase for a full refund less shipping. We also guarantee absolute discretion and confidentiality in all transactions. Images are not actual size Please see description for actual measurements.

Price: 99 USD

Location: Eagle River, Wisconsin

End Time: 2024-11-15T02:35:23.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD