EGYPT. Alexandria. Maximianus, first reign, 286-305. Tetradrachm (Silver, 19 mm, 7.46 g, 12 h), RY 10 = 294/5. MAΞIMIANOC CЄB Laureate and draped bust of Maximianus to right.
Rev. L I Emperor galloping right over fallen enemy, raising spear in his right hand. Dattari (Savio) 5827. Emmett 4117/10. K&G -. RPC X online 76111. Rare. About extremely fine.
From a European collection, formed before 2005.
This coin belongs to a series of Alexandrian issues from 294/5, featuring busts of Ares (RPC online ID 76126 and 76750) and depictions of military victories. These include emperors trampling their enemies (RPC X online ID 76110-76111) or standing between two captives (RPC X online ID 76114). Interestingly, these types were minted only for Maximianus and Constantius I, and not for Diocletian or Galerius. This suggests they were not generic designs but specific references to Maximianus's campaigns along the Rhine frontier and Constantius' campaigns against Carausius in 293-294. In 293, Constantius recaptured Gesoriacum, the most important Roman port on the Channel coast, driving Carausius off the mainland shortly before the usurper was murdered by Allectus.
These Alexandrian coins reveal that even authorities in Egypt followed the military triumphs of the emperors along the Rhine and the Channel with keen interest. Historical references of this specificity are rare in Alexandrian coinage, making these issues especially significant. The annual dating of these coins provides a rare and invaluable tool for reconstructing events and their reception - a remarkable boon for both historians and numismatists.
