Tipologie monetali di età tetrarchica: catalogazione e analisi di un nucleo di monete della collezione numismatica dei Musei di Arte Antica di Ferrara

Abstract

This paper reports the results of the analysis, cataloging and study of 62 coins belonging to the Numismatic Collection of the Museums of Ancient Art of Ferrara, which can be chronologically classified between 284 AD and 306-308 AD. Besides reporting the results of the direct analysis of the coins studied, distributed by issuing authority, denomination, mints, types and chronology of issuance, the main typologies found in the sample were examined in depth, as they are a direct testimony of the self-representation of political power in the tetrarchic age. In particular, among the most recurrent typological elements, we observe Jupiter and Hercules, accompanied by legends such as IOVI CONSERVAT AVGG, HERCVLI CONSERVAT, that represent the participation in the divine nature of the tetrarchs, as well as the type of the GENIVS POPVLI ROMANI of which we trace the use and meaning in imperial Roman coinage.