Last updated: 18 February 2018
CONCISE HISTORICAL SURVEY
Significant Historical Events and Coinage Production
Information
Diocletian's Tetrarchic system of Governance
The Dyarchy: Diocletian &
Maximian Herculius (follis coin portraits)
Diocletian (Caius Aurelius Verus Diocletianus) was proclaimed Augustus in AD 284. The following year he appointed Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus (Maximian Herculius), a close military comrade, as his Caesar elevating him to co-Augustus a year later thereby creating a Dyarchy.
In 293 Diocletian finalized the Institution of a Tetrarchy -- government of the Empire by four interacting rulers -- two Augusti assisted by two subordinate Caesars, which each Augustus would personally select. The two Caesars, chosen because of their proven leadership abilities, assisted the Augusti with civil administration and command of the armies. Caius Galerius Valerius Maximianus (Galerius Maximian) was chosen by Diocletian to be his Caesar of the East and Flavius Valerius Constantius (Constantius) was chosen by Maximian Herculius be his Caesar of the West. The Empire was divided into four geographical areas of governance: Diocletian and Galerius Maximian maintained their eastern headquarters at Nicomedia and Thessalonica respectively, while Maximian Herculius and Constantius maintained their western headquarters at Milan and Trier respectively.
The reformed AE coinage (folles) of Diocletian
Bronze with a silver wash as cataloged in THE ROMAN IMPERIAL COINAGE (RIC), Volume VI.
I employ the Imperial name forms
used in the headers by Sutherland throughout this web
site. The following depiction includes the alternate
name forms frequently used by collectors, dealers and
some authors of historical texts and reference
documents:
DIOCLETIAN ........................ (no other names
commonly used)
MAXIMIAN HERCULIUS ...... Maximianus, Herculius
CONSTANTIUS .................... Constantius I,
Constantius Chlorus
GALERIUS MAXIMIAN ......... Galerius
SEVERUS ............................. Severus II,
MAXIMINUS .......................... Maximinus II,
Maximinus Daia, Daza
CONSTANTINE ..................... Constantine I,
Constantinus
Note: Caution should be exercised when
attributing folles of Galerius Maximian (Caius
Galerius Valerius Maximianus) & Maximian
Herculius (Marcus Aurelius Valerius
Maximianus) due to the similarity of their
titulature. Galerius Maximian was both Caesar and
Augustus during this time period whereas Maximian
Herculius was always only Augustus. Therefor coins
bearing the titulature MAXIMIANVS plus NOBIL CAES, NOB
CAES, NOBIL C, etc., can only be those of Galerius
Maximian. There is a special problem with Galerius as
Augustus coins: The titulature is mostly exactly the
same as that of Maximian Herculius and frequently the
only way to differentiate between the two is by the
portraiture on the coin obverse.
Problem with Roman occupied Britain and the emergence of Carausius
The political and military turmoil of the third century spawned numerous external assaults on the Roman Empire. One of these was the incessant seafaring piracy in the waters surrounding the Roman occupied island outpost of Britain. In 286 Maximian Herculius, in his capacity as Dyarch Augustus of the West, designated a highly regarded military commander named Marcus Aurelius Mausaeus Carausius, of Flemish descent, to head a fleet of ships who's mission was to eliminate, or at least severely curtail, this piracy. Carausius had distinguished himself by outstanding leadership and military prowess, especially as a naval "Admiral", in the Gallic campaigns. Carausius established his operational base at the coastal city of Boulogne (Gesoriacum) in Roman occupied northern Gaul. Carausius did indeed accomplish his mission, but reports of corruption and extortion led Maximian Herculius to dispatch a fleet of ships in order to remove Carausius from command. However, Carausius proved too strong and he repulsed the attack.
Carausius - Usurper Augustus of Secessionist Britain
Carausius subsequently used his continental base to launch an invasion force to occupy and subjugate Britain. Landing in the north, Carausius secured the support of the native Picts and, advancing south, confronted and defeated the forces of the Roman Governor. Having thus conquered the Island, he proclaimed himself Augustus of a Secessionist Britain, becoming an effective and efficient Administrator using the Roman Imperial governmental framework as a model. He maintained control of Boulogne and coastal northern Gaul.
Allectus - Successor Usurper Augustus of Secessionist Britain
In AD 293, Allectus, the chief (finance?) minister of Carausius, assassinated him (or orchestrated his assassination) and proclaimed himself Augustus of Secessionist Britain.
The Mints of Carausius and Allectus
Carausius established two Britannic mints - a primary one at London (Londinium) and one at Colchester/Camulodunum/Clausentum - "C" Mint - plus a ContinentaL mint across the Channel in Gaul These mints produced coins of distinctive style in gold, silver and bronze (mostly antoniniani).
SELECTED EXAMPLE COIN:
RIC V (2), Carausius, Antoninianus, No. 475
IMP C CARAVSIVS PF AVG
.........................................
PA - X - AVG | S .....P
Draped, radiate, bust
London mint
After assassinating Carausius and proclaiming himself Augustus of Secessionist Britain, Allectus continued operation of the London and "C" mints and coins were issued in his name and bearing his portrait.
SELECTED EXAMPLE COIN:
RIC V (2), Allectus, Antoninianus, No. 33
IMP C ALLECTVS P F AVG
............................. PA
- X - AVG ..... S (Pax standing left) A
M L in reverse exergue.
Cuirassed, radiate, bust
London mint
The Britannic Invasion coinage of Constantius minted in Gaul
The first assignment given Constantius by Maximian Herculius was to restore secessionist Britain to the Roman Empire. Constantius first besieged and captured Boulogne and then wrested coastal Gaul from Carausius. He next set about planning the invasion, occupation and restoration of Britain to the Empire. One of the first orders of business for Constantius in 294 was to insure that a supply of reformed aes coinage (folles) - now the commonplace legal tender of the Roman Empire - was available for use not only by his occupying force, but also by the British civilian populace. To that end Constantius established a Mint in Gaul (exact location usually listed as unknown, although some French sources list it as Boulogne), manned by Lugdunese mint workers, to produce this invasion coinage - unmarked (i.e. without a mint mark) issued in the names of Diocletian & Maximian Herculius as Augusti and Constantius & Galerius Maximian as Caesars.
The coin obverses in this series feature laureate, bare neck, truncated busts with the wreath long ribbon tie laying on the neck. The reverses depict a representation of the Genius of the Roman People standing, facing left, head surmounted by a modius, naked except for a chlamys over the left shoulder, holding a patera in the right hand and cradling a cornucopia in the left arm. Both the obverse and reverse inscriptional lettering is somewhat large and delicate with the legends reading clockwise around the periphery of the coin. The reverse legend is consistently GENIO POPVLI ROMANI. There is no mint mark in the exergue.
RIC Volume VI, Lugdunum, No. 14a, Diocletian, Augustus of the East
IMP C DIOCLETIANVS PF
AVG .............................
GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI
9.8 gm.
RIC Volume VI, Lugdunum, No. 14b, Maximian Herculius, Augustus of the West
IMP C MAXIMIANVS PF AVG
................................. GENIO POP -- VLI ROMANI
8.9 gm.
RIC Volume VI, Lugdunum, No. 17a, Constantius, Caesar of the West
FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB C
.............................. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI
Earliest obverse legend
Fully silvered.
10.1 gm.
RIC Volume VI, Lugdunum, No. 17b, Galerius Maximian, Caesar of the East
C VAL MAXIMIANVS NOB C
.............................. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI
Earliest obverse legend
10.3 gm.
Restoration of Secessionist Britain to the Empire by Constantius
In 296 Constantius launched a powerful naval invasion force against Britain in two divisions: one led by himself, which sailed from Boulogne and the other led by the Praetorian Prefect of Maximian Herculius, Asclepiodotus, which sailed from the mouth of the river Seine. The mission of Constantius was to remove Allectus from power and restore Britain to the Empire. This mission was accomplished and although Constantius was in overall command of the operation, some historical sources assert it was the force under Asclepiodotus that did most of the fighting on land and in fact it was they who defeated and killed Allectus during the decisive battle. Constantius subsequently entered the city of London to proclaim his conquest as restorer of the eternal light of the Roman Empire: Redditor Lucis Aeternae.
The following photograph of a bronze copy of the famous ten aurei multiple (RIC VOLUME VI, TREVERI, No. 34), the original of which presently resides in the museum at Arras, commemorates the restoration of Britain to the Roman Empire by Constantius in 296. It depicts the personification of Londinium (LON) kneeling and supplicating to Constantius (on horseback) outside of the City Fortification while a galley with Roman soldiers waits on the river Thames(?).
FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOBIL
CAES ............. REDDITOR LVCIS AETERNAE
LON (reverse right)
PTR (reverse exergue)
The London Mint re-opened by Constantius
Constantius re-opened the London Mint, now as an official facility with one officina (workshop), which continued to operate, somewhat sporadically, until its closure in 325. It seems very likely that initially the work force consisted of British die engravers and other workers, formerly employed by the Carausius/Allectus Mints, now supervised and mixed in with Lugdunese mint workers who accompanied the Constantius invasion force.
This London Mint continued to produce exclusively reformed folles, first under Constantius and then under Constantine, until its closure in AD 325.
Initial re-opened London Mint coinage
The coin obverses and reverses of the initial production coin series replicate those of the Constantius Invasion coinage except there is now a LON mint mark in the exergue.
SELECTED EXAMPLE COIN:
RIC Volume VI, Londinium, No.1a, Diocletian,
Augustus of the East
CT (Cloke & Toone), No.
1.01.001, c. AD 296, Rarity: R
IMP C DIOCLETIANVS PF
AVG .................... GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI
LON in reverse exergue
As depicted in RIC Volume VI, Plate
1.
Subsequent coinage after this series (RIC VI,
Londinium, Nos. 1-5) was unmarked (i.e. no LON mint
mark) until the issue of reduced size/weight folles
after the death of Constantius.
9.8 gm.
Intermediate London Mint coinage (Bastien)
The coin obverses and reverses in this series replicate those of the Constantius Invasion coinage except in some instances the obverse busts are cuirassed (including some with elaborate consular features) and have London mint style small and compact inscriptional lettering. These intermediate style folles were issued immediately following the LON marked coins.
SELECTED EXAMPLE COIN
Intermediate series coin (Bastien), not in RIC,
Galerius Maximian, Caesar of the East
CT (Cloke & Toone), No.
1.02.004 (2), c. AD 296, Rarity: R
C VAL MAXIMIANVS NOB C
........................... GENIO
POPV -- LI ROMANI
Laureate with truncated bare neck
bust.
Long wreath ribbon tie laying on neck
10.1 gm.
Subsequent London Mint coinage
The coin obverses follow an almost standard pattern - right facing laureate, cuirassed busts with short wreath ribbon ties secured behind the neck. The reverses depict what is by now the standard representation of the Genius of the Roman People standing, facing left, head surmounted by a modius, naked except for a chlamys over the left shoulder, holding a patera in the right hand and cradling a cornucopia in the left arm. Both the obverse and reverse inscriptional lettering is somewhat thick and compact with the legends reading clockwise around the periphery of the coin. The reverse legend is almost always GENIO POPVLI ROMANI. There is no mint mark in the exergue.
SELECTED EXAMPLE COINS:
RIC VI, Londinium, No. 6a, Diocletian, Augustus
of the East
CT (Cloke & Toone), No.
2.01.003 (9), c. AD 296-303, Rarity: C
IMP C DIOCLETIANVS PF
AVG ..............................
GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI
Laureate, cuirassed, bust.
From here on the laurel ribbon ties were secured behing
the head
10.4 gm.
RIC VI, Londinium, No.6b, Maximian Herculius,
Augustus of the West
CT (Cloke & Toone), No.
2.01.007 (5), c. AD 296-303, Rarity: C
IMP C MAXIMIANVS PF AVG
................. GENIO POPV --
LI ROMANI
Laureate, cuirassed, bust.
10.1 gm.
RIC VI, Londinium, No. 20, Constantius, Caesar
of the West
CT (Cloke & Toone), No.
2.01.010 (1), c. AD 296-303, Rarity: C
FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB C
........................... GENIO
POPV -- LI ROMANI
Laureate, cuirassed, bust with long
ribbon tie laying on neck.
Possible Intermediate coin.
9.8 gm.
RIC VI, Londinium, No. 33, Galerius Maximian,
Caesar of the East
CT (Cloke & Toone), No.
3.01.031 (2) , c. AD 303-1 May 305, Rarity:
C
MAXIMIANVS NOBIL C
......................... GENIO
POPV -- LI ROMANI
Laureate, cuirassed, bust.
10.6 gm.
Diocletian plans his Abdication - and includes a reluctant Maximian Herculius
It seems Diocletian had always envisioned that there would come a time when he (along with his co-Augustus) would have to relinquish the reins of supreme power and retire (for whatever reason). He chose the occasion of his Vicennalia -- the twentieth anniversary of his assumption of power as Augustus and coincidentally the tenth anniversary (Decinnelia) of his institution of the Tetrarchy -- to Abdicate and retire and persuaded (compelled?) Maximian Herculius to do the same in concert with him. And so, in 303 the two Augusti announced their intention to simultaneously abdicate and retire (Maximian Herculius somewhat reluctantly) in 305, their titles and authority to be assumed by the Caesars, who in turn would appoint new Caesars thus perpetuating the system. This was, of course, the only instance of an Abdication during the Tetrarchy -- it didn't survive as an institution long enough to witness another one. Although Diocletian had provided a model for perpetuation of the system attending an Abdication, he didn't provide one to follow in the event of the sudden death of one, or both, of the reigning Augusti, and that had dire consequences for the Tetrarchy when Constantius (Augustus of the West) died suddenly in 306.
Severe illness of Diocletian
In 304 Diocletian became very ill (unknown cause - possibly a stroke) that resulted in a lengthy convalescense and withdrawal from public life.
Abdication of Diocletian and Maximian Herculius
On 1 May 305, Diocletian and Maximian Herculius abdicated to become Seniore (retired) Augusti.
Abdication coinage of Diocletian & Maximian Herculius
The obverses of these commemorative coins depict laureate busts of the Augusti in Imperial mantle holding mappa in right hand and olive branch in left hand. The reverses depict a personification of Providentia, standing left, extending hand to personification of Quies, standing right, holding olive branch and leaning on scepter.
SELECTED EXAMPLE COINS:
RIC VI, Londinium, No. 77a, Diocletian, retired
senior Augustus
CT (Cloke & Toone), No.
4.01.002, c. May 305 - Spring 307, Rarity:
C
DN DIOCLETIANO FELICISSIMO SEN
AVG
PROVIDENTIA DEORVM QVIES
AVGG
9.5 gm.
RIC VI, Londinium, No. 76b, Maximian Herculius,
retired senior Augustus
CT (Cloke & Toone), No.
4.01.003, c. May 305 - Spring 307, Rarity:
R
DN MAXIMIANO BEATISSIMO SEN
AVG
PROVIDENTIA DEORVM QVIES
AVGG
9.8 gm.
The successor Tetrarchs
On 1 May 305, Constantius succeeded Maximian Herculius as Augustus of the West and Galerius Maximian succeeded Diocletian as Augustus of the East. Flavius Valerius Severus (Severus), a close friend of Galerius Maximian, was appointed Caesar of the West by Constantius and Galerius Valerius Maximinus Daia (also known as Maximinus Daza, nephew by marriage of Galerius Maximian) was appointed Caesar of the East by Galerius Maximian.
Coinage of the successor Tetrarchs
SELECTED EXAMPLE COINS:
RIC VI, Londinium, No. 47, Constantius,
Augustus of the West
CT (Cloke & Toone), No.
4.02.003, 1 May 305 - 26 July 306, Rarity:
S
IMP CONSTANTIVS PIVS FEL
AVG ....................... GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI
Earliest obverse legend style.
Laureate, cuirassed, bust.
9.9 gm.
RIC VI, Londinium, No. 42, Galerius Maximian,
Augustus of the East
CT (Cloke & Toone), No.
4.03.004, AD 1 May 305 - Spring 307, Rarity:
S
IMP C MAXIMIANVS P F AVG
......................... GENIO
POPV -- LI ROMANI
Laureate, cuirassed, bust.
Identical obverse inscription (2C) to the primary one
of Maximian Herculius.
9.7 gm.
RIC VI, Londinium, No. 59a, Severus, Caesar of
the West
CT (Cloke & Toone), No.
4.02.016, 1 May 305 - 26 July 306, Rarity:
C
SEVERVS NOBILISSIMVS
CAES ......................... GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI
Earliest obverse legend style.
Draped, laurate, bust.
10.3 gm.
RIC VI, Londinium, No. 59b, Maximinus (Daia),
Caesar of the East
CT (Cloke & Toone), No.
4.03.024, 1 May 305 - Spring 307, Rarity:
S
MAXIMINVS NOBILISSIMVS NOB
C ......................... GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI
Earliest obverse legend style.
Draped, laureate, bust.
10.8 gm.
The death of Constantius
Constantius died at Eboracum (York) in Britain during a campaign against the warlike tribes of the North on 25 July 306. Just before he died, Constantius conferred Imperium on his son, Flavius Valerius Constantinus (later Constantine the Great). The army commanded by Constantius wanted Constantine proclaimed Augustus to succeed his father, however, Galerius Maximian, the now de-facto senior Augustus elevated Severus to Augustus of the West (in accordance with pecedent) and affirmed Constantine as Caesar (of the West?).
Author note: I believe that the Tetrarchy began to fall apart at this point in time. Surely Severus should automatically have assumed the position/title of Augustus of the West (otherwise what would have been his position/title?) and then selected his own Caesar in accordance with precedent. Of course, Constantius conferring Imperium on his son and Galerius Maximian subsequently affirming him as Caesar threw a monkey wrench in the works and Galerius Maximian was stuck with the task of sorting it all out.
Coinage of Severus as Augustus and Constantine as Caesar
SELECTED EXAMPLE COINS:
RIC VI, Londinium, No. 46 (variant), Severus,
Augustus of the West
CT (Cloke & Toone), No.
4.04.004, 26 July 306 - Spring 307, Rarity:
RR
IMP SEVERVS PIVS FEL AVG
........................... GENIO
POPV - LI ROMANI
Draped laureate bust.
Obverse legend variation: PIVS FEL instead of PIVS
FELIX.
9.4 gm.
RIC VI, Londinium, No. 89b, Constantine, Caesar
of the West
CT (Cloke & Toone), No.
5.03.004, c. November - December AD 307, Rarity:
R
FL VAL CONSTANTINIVS NOB
C ........................... GENIO - POP ROM
PLN in reverse exergue
Draped, laureate, bust.
Genius with head towered and loins draped.
Issued shortly after the death of Constantius following
recognition as Caesar by Galerius.
9.3 gm. .
Revolt in Rome - Maxentius is "proclaimed" Augustus
On 28 October 306, the Citizens of Rome revolted against oppressive taxation and petitioned Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maxentius (Maxentius), son of retired Augustus Maximian Herculius, to assume Imperium. This he did, initially adopting the appellation of Princeps although his army proclaimed him Augustus.
Maximian Herculius as "colleague Augustus" of his son, Maxentius
Maxentius persuaded his father, Maximian Herculius, to come out of retirement in order to serve as his "colleague Augustus".
Coinage of Maxentius and Maximian Herculius as his colleague Augustus
SELECTED EXAMPLE COINS:
RIC VI, Ostia, No. 35, Maxentius as Augustus
IMP C MAXENTIVS PF AVG
.................................. AETERNITAS AVG N
MOSTT in reverse exergue
Ostia Mint.
Rev: Castor & Pollux facing each other leaning on
staff and holding horse (Dioscuri)
No coins in the name of Maxentius were produced by the
London Mint.
RIC VI, Londinium, No. 85/90, Maximian Herculius as Augustus emerged from retirement
DN MAXIMINIANO PFS AVG
................................... GENIO POP ROM
PLN in reverse exergue
The only differention in RIC Volume VI between No. 85 and No.90 is that the personification of Genius on the reverse wears a modius on his head in No. 85 and a towered headdress on No. 90 (his loins are draped on both). I have always found it difficult to discern the difference on worn reverses. I believe Genius is wearing a modius on his head here..
Severus sets out to depose Maxentius but is defeated and executed
Galerius Maximian, the de-facto senior Augustus, rejected the actions of Maxentius as illegal and instructed Severus (because Rome was in his sphere of authority) to engage Maxentius and depose him. Early in 307 Severus commanded an army that marched south into Italy to engage Maxentius as instructed by Galerius Maximian. Severus was not well served by this army that maintained loyalties to its previous commander, Maximian Herculius, and indeed many soldiers deserted Severus. The forces of Maxentius quickly defeated those of Severus who was captured and subsequently executed in Rome. Maximian Herculius thereupon set about organizing the defense of Rome against an anticipated attack by Galerius Maximian and in April traveled to Gaul seeking an alliance with Constantine, Caesar of the West, in order to strengthen his position. The alliance was duly consummated and cemented when Constantine married the daughter of Maximian Herculius, Fausta Flavia Maxima (Fausta). Constantine assumed the title and powers of Augustus later in the year (not recognized by Galerius Maximian) after personal affirmation(?) by Maximian Herculius. There was now a legitimately appointed Augustus - Galerius Maximian, one dubiously assumptive Augustus - Maximian Herculius, and two very questionably appointed Augusti - Constantine and Maxentius. The structure of the Tetrarchy was now in shambles.
The Conference at Carnuntum - attempting to restore the Tetrarchy
In the spring of 308 Maximian Herculius had a falling out with his son, Maxentius, and left to join his now son-in-law, Constantine, in Gaul. In the autumn of 308 Galerius Maximian organized and convened a conference at Carnuntum consisting of himself, Diocletian and Maximian Herculius (as retired seniore Augusti) to discuss and resolve the "Augusti problem". Diocletian was but a shadow of his former self, both mentally and physically, due to the severe illness that befell him in 304 and consequently Galerius Maximian "ran the show" -- he was now the dominant force in the Tetrarchy. Galerius Maximian did not recognize either Constantine or Maxentius as Augustus, proposing instead that his old friend and military comrade Flavius Valerius Licinianus Licinius (Licinius), be appointed Augustus of the West to replace the deceased Severus and he obtained the concurrence of Diocletian and Maximian Herculius in this maneuver. Maxentius was declared an enemy of the state by the conferees and Maximian Herculius once more went into retirement. Galerius Maximian proposed that Constantine be recognized as Caesar of the West, although Constantine did not acquiesce.
Constantine was incensed at his proposed "demotion" to Caesar subservient to Licinius as was Maximinus at the elevation of Licinius to Augustus over him, and so Galerius Maximian designated both of them Filius Augustorum: "son of the Augustus" -- a somewhat empty title of convenience and compromise -- in an attempt to mollify them.
SELECTED EXAMPLE COIN:
RIC VI, Thessalonica, No. 32a, Maximinus Daia as Filius Augustorum
MAXIMINVS FIL AVGG
................................... GENIO CAESARIS
SMTS in reverse exergue
Coins with this designation were struck in the names of Constantine and Maximinus Daia under the auspices of Galerius Maximian and only at the Siscia and Thessalonica Mints.
Imperial claimants - death of Maximian Herculius & Galerius Maximian
There now followed a struggle between the Imperial
Claimants: Maximian Herculius, who had again emerged
from retirement as a self-proclaimed Augustus, and
evidently with intentions to usurp Constantine, was
defeated in battle by Constantine in 309 and committed
suicide in 310 after betrayal by his daughter, Fausta,
(wife of Constantine). Maximinus was proclaimed
Augustus by the troops of his army in the same
year.
Galerius Maximian was afflicted with a fatal
urinary/reproductive tract disease in 308 and died a
painful, lingering, death on 5 May 311.
Maximinus and Maxentius formed a Military Compact early
in 312 but Maxentius was defeated and killed by the
forces of Constantine during a famous battle at Milvian
bridge outside Rome later that year. The forces of
Maximinus were defeated by those of Licinius in 313,
Maximinus committing suicide later that year.
Constantine and Licinius were subsequently proclaimed
co-Augusti, bringing down the curtain on this
Historical Period.
Reduced folles of Imperial claimants as Augustus (RIC VI, Londinium)
SELECTED EXAMPLE COINS:
RIC VI, Londinium, No. 209b, Maximinus (Daia) as Augustus
IMP MAXIMINVS PF AVG
......................... GENIO
POP ROM
PLN in reverse exergue
RIC VI, Londinium, No. 209c, Licinius as Augustus
IMP LICINIVS PF AVG
................................... GENIO -- POP ROM
PLN in reverse exergue
RIC VI, Londinium, No. 234, Constantine as Augustus
CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
................................... SOLI INVICTO COMITI
PLN in reverse exergue