Maxentius, 307-312. Follis (Bronze, 25 mm, 6.00 g, 12 h), Aquileia, spring/summer 308-circa end of 309/beginning of 310. IMP C MAXENTIVS P F AVG Laureate and cuirassed bust of Maxentius to left, raising his right hand. Rev. CONSERV VRBS SVAE / AQP Roma, on the right, seated left on shield within tetrastyle temple, holding spear in her left hand and handing globe with her right to Maxentius, on the left, standing right and holding scepter in his left hand; at his feet, captive seated to right, head turned to left; on the architrave, she-wolf standing left, suckling Romulus and Remus; at each end of architrave, Diana Lucifera holding long torch. Drost 38b (same dies). Paolucci & Zub 176 var. (variety with victorias on the architrave). RIC 38b. Of the highest rarity, the second known example with Dianae Luciferae on the architrave. Repatinated and somewhat rough, otherwise, about very fine.


This issue exists in two distinct variants. The first features two Victorias on the architrave, each holding a laurel wreath; Drost was aware of four specimens of this type. The second variant - ours - displays two Dianae Luciferae on the architrave, of which Drost knew only a single specimen. This example represents the second known instance of this rare variant.