GALERIUS MAXIMIANUS (305-311). GOLD Aureus. Nicomedia.

Obv: MAXIMIANVS AVGVSTVS.
Laureate head right.
Rev: IOVI CONSERVATORI (NK) / SMN.
Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt and sceptre.

RIC 33; Calicó 4926.

Galerius was born near Serdica in Dacia. He distinguished himself in war under Aurelian and Probus, served as praetorian prefect to Diocletian, and took the name Maximianus 'Jovius' in 293, when he became caesar in the East and was adopted by Diocletian before marrying his daughter. In 296 he was engaged in a military campaign in Egypt against the Persian king Narseh. Galerius suffered a heavy defeat that went down in history, as it caused the loss of Mesopotamia. However, he did not give up and was later able to defeat Narsehand recover the province in 298. Through this success he regained the emperor's trust and, following the abdication of Diocletian and Maximian, became augustus in the East in 305. He moved the capital from Thessalonica to Nicomedia and appointed Severus as caesar in the West and Constantine (son of Constantius Chlorus) in the East. When Severus lost his life to the revolt of Maxentius, son of Maximianus, Galerius's dream of reunifying the empire was threatened. In 308 at Carnuntum he succeeded in getting Licinius the throne of the West so as to keep the civil wars and the lust for power of many figures in check. After that Galerius became seriously ill and, fearing divine punishment, proclaimed an important measure in favor of Christians. According to historians he conducted prolonged persecutions and had influenced even the decisions of Diocletian. Therefore, before he died, he revoked Diocletian's edict, granting Christians peace and freedom of worship within the empire. With his death the Tetrarchy also died.

Condition: Extremely fine; some restorations.

Weight: 5.36 g.
Diameter: 20 mm.