Roman Follis Coins

Inv. No.: c162
Provenance: Cyzicus
Date: c. A.D. 308-309 (Hayes).
Weight: 5.36g
 
Obv.: Galerius Maximian, laureate.
GAL.MAXIMIANVS P.F.AVG.

Rev.: Genius standing, modius on head, right hand holding patera with liquor flowing, left hand holding cornucopiae, chlamys over left shoulder.
GENIO IMPERATORIS
A
MKV

Galerius Maximian forced Diocletian and Maximian Herculius to abdicate in 305, assumed the title of Augustus and reigned in their place. He founded the colony of Valeria in Illyria.

The modius, properly a bushel measure, is a symbol of fertility in crops and a reminder of the ruler liberality and providence in securing food and bestowing it on his subjects. There is a similar message in the patera and the cornucopiae.

Comparanda:
RIC, vol. 6, p. 586, 44.