Roman Imperial Galerius, as Caesar, Æ Nummus. Lugdunum, AD 294. MAXIMIANVS NOB C, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right / ORIENS AVGG, Sol standing left, right hand raised and left hand holding whip; B in exergue. RIC 631. 3.44g Comments: Aureliani from Galère to Lyon are rare. Galerius was appointed Caesar on 1 March 293. Lyon has only produced coins in its name in the last three issues. In Lyon, for the twelfth show, we still have short titles. History: Galerius was of humble origin. Chosen as Caesar on March 1 or May 1, 293, he was subordinated to Diocletian to help him govern the East. Galerius suffered a crushing defeat in 296 against the Sassanids, but the following year he defeated Narses. According to Lactantius, he is at the origin of the persecution of Christians in 302-303. During Diocletian's illness, he pushed Diocletian to abdicate. Diocletian and Maximian left power on 1 May 305 to Galerius and Constance, who became Augustus. For the last six years of his life, he watched helplessly as the political regime created by Diocletian was disintegrated: the Tetrarchy. He died on May 5, 311, after five days earlier, interrupting the persecution of Christians.