Aureus - Galerius Maximinus SOLI INVICTO NK; Nicomedia

Reverse

Sol, radiate, naked but for cloak over shoulders, standing front, head turned right, raising right hand and holding globe and whip in left.
Mintmark in exergue.

Script: Latin

Lettering: SOLI INVICTO NK

Translation: To Sol (the sun god) the undefeated.

Comment

Weight varies from 5.18g-5.35g

After 12 years as Caesar, the capable military commander Maximianus Galerius became Augustus in the eastern part of the empire in 305. After the death of his co-emperor Constantius Chlorus, Galerius had repeated conflicts with the new emperor of the western part, Constantine the Great. This emperor is known to a wider public above all as a persecutor of Christians who issued an edict of tolerance on his deathbed. This follis was issued in the name of the sub-emperor of the East and nephew of Galerius, Emperor Maximinus Daia. This aureus was dedicated to the invincible sun god. The cult of this deity was greatly promoted by the emperors during the first and second tetrarchy. However, it was also in direct competition with Christianity, which was able to assert itself under Constantine the Great. Maximinus Daia was portrayed by the Christian historians of late antiquity as a vicious persecutor of Christians. However, this was probably only partly to do with the persecutions under his rule. Another reason may have been that, as an opponent of Constantine the Great, he was unable to occupy a favourable position in Constantine-friendly historiography.

KENOM - Virtuelles Münzkarbinett

Interesting fact