Roman Empire. Maximianus. Follis GENIO POPVLI ROMANI, Lugdunum (No reserve price)

The Follis coin minted at Lugdunum (modern-day Lyon, France) during Emperor Maximianus's reign carries the inscription 'GENIO POPVLI ROMANI,' meaning 'To the Spirit of the Roman People.' The Follis was a bronze coin introduced during the late Roman Empire to address economic changes and inflation. Lugdunum was an important western imperial mint, reflecting the empire’s administrative reach. This coin embodies the symbolic connection between the emperor, the Roman state, and its citizens, invoking the protective genius or spirit of the populace. Such coins demonstrate the evolving monetary system of the 3rd and 4th centuries, illustrating how material and ideological elements intertwined amid challenges to the empire’s integrity. Collectors value these for their historical context and the insight they provide into Roman civic identity and economy.