Maximianus Gold Coin
$3,701.00
Jun-13-00

     Maximianus Herculius (286 - 310), AV - Ceremonial Aureus, Rome
     mint, April 286

     Obverse: IMP C M AVR VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, draped and cuirassed
     bust wearing radiate crown to the right
     Reverse: IOVI CO - NSERVAT AVGG, Jupiter turned to the left,
     holding thunderbolt and long sceptre, cloak over arms
     AV, 5,23g, 12h, 22,5mm; masterly stuffed hole at 12h,small
     scratch on reverse
     References: RIC V/2, p. 276, 491; Cohen VI, p. 526, 341; Gnecchi,
     I medaglioni Romani, I, p. 11, 3 (recorded only for Diocletian);
     K. Pink, Die Goldprägung des Diocletianus und seiner Mitregenten
     (284 bis 305), NZ 24, 1931, p. 16; G. Depeyrot, Les monnaies d`or
     de Diocletien ā Constantin I (284-337), Wetteren 1995, p. 78; pl.
     11, 2C/2 (same dies)

The first issue for Maximianus Herculius at all, struck on the 
occasion of his declaration as Augustus on April 1st, 286. As 
during the later 3rd century ordinary soldiers received their payment on such festive occasions in bronze coins, this gold piece 
was clearly struck for distribution to high officers, or, as it was 
minted in Rome, perhaps to members of the senatorial aristocracy. 
The quality of die engraving is considerably superior to earlier 
and later Roman issues, which, together with the unusually large 
flan, shows the ceremonial character of this coin. 
The radiate crown on the obverse would suggest that the coin 
represents a binio, or double aureus, although it is not twice as 
heavy as regular gold pieces, which were apparently struck at 1/70 
of the Roman pound. During the 3rd century some ceremonial 
coins struck at any higher weight standard than the average gold 
issues (if the weight standard can be reconstructed at all), do 
employ the radiate crown to make it clear that the coin is of 
higher weight. This coin belongs to the first issue that was struck 
at 1/60 of the Roman pound (roughly 5,4g), which became the standard 
gold weight until the introduction of the solidus of 4,5g by 
Constantine I in 309 in the western parts of the Roman empire, whereas in the East, the 1/60 gold coin survived until 324. 

     Extremely rare, only three other specimens recorded by Depeyrot,
     and perhaps the only one in private hands