Lot 3178

AE Follis (Cyzicus AD 324, 2.43 g) - DN M MARTINIANUS PF AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right / IOVI CONSERVATORI Jupiter standing left, holding Victoria on globe and scepter, to left, eagle standing right, holding wreath in beak, to right, bound captive (X IIΓ in right field and SMKB in ex.) (cf. RIC 16, different legend and officina obv. / cf. RIC 46 Nicomedia, type Jupiter) - F/VF, a very rare and desirable coin, with an unknown legend known to Cyzicus (more likely originating from Nicomedia, the other mint of Martinianus). Martinianus was the magister officiorum of Licinius I. During the siege of Byzantium by Constantinus I he appointed him as co-emperor, as Augustus. After this, Martinianus was send to Lampsakos to fight Constantine's army. He was defeated and fled, but got caught in Cappadocia. Constantine ordered his death after which he was executed.