Galerius Bronze AE1 — Tetrarch of Rome, AD 305–311

Name: Galerius Bronze AE1 — Tetrarch of Rome, AD 305–311
Brand: Kinzer Coins
Price: 105.0 USD
Availability: InStock

$105.00 USD

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Galerius AE1 Bronze — From Persecutor to the Edict of Toleration

Own a Large Bronze from the Emperor Closely Associated with the Great Persecution—and Its End

A real AE1 bronze of Galerius—the Tetrarch who was a major advocate and enforcer of the Great Persecution of Christians begun under Diocletian in AD 303, then issued the Edict of Toleration in AD 311, formally ending persecution in the territories under his authority. NGC certified.

✓ NGC Certified
✓ Guaranteed Authentic
✓ 30-Day Returns

📷 Coin shown is a representative example. You will receive one authentic NGC-certified AE1 bronze of Galerius. Each coin is unique and will vary in grade, strike, centering, preservation, patina, and individual appearance.

✝ Issued by a ruler strongly associated with both the Great Persecution and the AD 311 Edict of Toleration
🏛 Features classic Tetrarchic imagery celebrating military strength, imperial authority, and Rome's traditional gods
🤲 A substantial NGC-certified bronze from a pivotal period in Roman and Christian history

Own This Piece of History

Why This Coin Matters

Few Roman emperors are connected to such a dramatic religious reversal as Galerius.

Born in the Danubian provinces, Galerius rose through the Roman army and in AD 293 was appointed Caesar under Diocletian as part of the Tetrarchic system. After the abdications of Diocletian and Maximian in AD 305, Galerius became Augustus.

Galerius was a committed supporter of Rome's traditional religion and became one of the leading advocates of harsh measures against Christians.

In AD 303, under the authority of Diocletian and his imperial colleagues, the Roman government launched what became known as the Great Persecution. A series of edicts ordered churches destroyed, scriptures surrendered and burned, Christians excluded from certain legal protections and offices, clergy imprisoned, and eventually sacrifice demanded more broadly. Enforcement and severity varied greatly across the empire.

Ancient Christian writers portray Galerius as an especially forceful advocate of the persecution, but it is more accurate to describe the policy as a Tetrarchic imperial program initiated under Diocletian rather than as something Galerius alone started.

By AD 311, with Galerius gravely ill and the effort to suppress Christianity unsuccessful, he issued an Edict of Toleration in the names of the reigning emperors. It allowed Christians once again to exist openly and assemble, provided they observed public order and prayed for the welfare of the emperors and the state.

The measure marked a major change in imperial policy. Two years later, Constantine and Licinius agreed on broader protections and restoration of confiscated Christian property in the settlement commonly associated with the Edict of Milan.

These AE1 bronzes preserve the portrait of a ruler whose career spanned both the harshest phase of Tetrarchic persecution and one of the decisive steps toward legal toleration.

Perfect For

Collectors of the Tetrarchy
Students of Roman and early Christian history
Enthusiasts of Constantine and the rise of Christianity
NGC-certified ancient coin collectors
Anyone interested in the religious transformation of the Roman Empire

What You'll Receive

One authentic AE1 bronze of Galerius
Civilization: Roman Empire
Ruler: Galerius (Caesar AD 293–305; Augustus AD 305–311)
Denomination: AE1 Bronze
NGC certified for authenticity and preservation
Presented in an NGC holder
Representative example of the type (each coin is unique)

Continue the Story

Galerius's career spans one of the most consequential changes in Roman religious policy: from the Great Persecution begun under the Tetrarchy to the Edict of Toleration of AD 311.

Explore our other Roman, Byzantine, Biblical, Greek, medieval, and world coin collections to continue your journey through the rulers, civilizations, and events that changed history.