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Magnificent Maximianus Gold Aureus, first reign, AD 286-305

1251

Maximianus. Gold Aureus (5.57 g), first reign, AD 286-305. Treveri, AD 293/4. MAXIMIA-NVS P F AVG,

laureate and cuirassed bust of Maximianus right. Rev. HERCVLI VICTORI, Hercules seated facing, head

right, lion’s skin draped over legs; at sides, club, quiver and bow; PR. RIC - (but cf. 13 for rev. type) (Calicó

4681.).

Rare.

Extremely fine.

$ 15,000

Maximianus has been described as the “military brawn” paired with the “political brain” of Diocletian as the two worked together

to refashion the Roman Empire into something manageable as endless crises of external invasion, civil war, and economic disaster

threatened to overwhelm it. The co-emperors themselves perhaps would have agreed with this description of their relationship

since Diocletian associated himself with Jupiter, the wise father of men and gods, while Maximianus was linked to Hercules, son of

Jupiter and the image par excellence of heroism. They even went as far as to assume additional names related to these deities, and

Maximianus took the title of Herculius. Thus it is no surprise that his coins, such as this beautiful aureus, frequently feature types

related to Hercules. Here the victorious hero takes a well-deserved rest after his many tasks, perhaps reflecting Maximianus’ own

desires. Shortly before this coin was struck in AD 293/4, Diocletian and Maximianus expanded their form of government from a

diarchy to a tetrachy, naming Constantius I Chlorus and Galerius as subordinate Caesars.

Another Marvelous Maximianus, first reign, Gold Aureus

1252

Maximianus. Gold Aureus (5.27 g), first reign, AD 286-305. Antioch, AD 293. MAXIMIANVS

AVGVSTVS, laureate head of Maximianus right. Rev. CONSVL IIII P P PRO COS, emperor, togate,

standing facing, head left, holding globe and baton; SMA

(

retrograde). (RIC 3; Depeyrot 8/2; Calicó

4626).

Very rare.

Lustrous. Extremely fine.

$ 10,000