Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3051 8-9 January 2017
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Diocletian (AD 284-305). AV aureus (20mm, 5.34 gm, 11h). NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 4/5, edge marks. Antioch, ca. AD 294-305. IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, laureate and draped bust of Diocletian right / HERCVLI VICTORI, Hercules standing right, left hand on hip, right hand holding club set on rock to right, lion skin hanging from right arm; Σ in left field, SMA in exergue. RIC --. Cohen --. Depeyrot --. Calico --. Apparently unrecorded and unique! Struck on a broad flan, with lustrous fields.
With the extensive research in Roman coinage undertaken in the last five decades, it is very unusual to come across an aureus type by a major ruler that is completely unrecorded, but that is the case here. It is well known that Diocletian and his imperial colleague Maximian took upon themselves the roles of Jupiter and Hercules respectively, each forming a dynastic "house" -- the Jovian for Diocletian and Herculean for Maximian. Although there are many types featuring Hercules during the tetrarchy, particularly by Maximian and Galerius, no other recorded example features this combination of type and legend. This aureus would seem to be that greatest of numismatic rarities -- a unique issue by a known ruler!
Estimate: 12000-15000 USD
Diocletian (AD 284-305). AV aureus (20mm, 5.34 gm, 11h). NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 4/5, edge marks. Antioch, ca. AD 294-305. IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, laureate and draped bust of Diocletian right / HERCVLI VICTORI, Hercules standing right, left hand on hip, right hand holding club set on rock to right, lion skin hanging from right arm; Σ in left field, SMA in exergue. RIC --. Cohen --. Depeyrot --. Calico --. Apparently unrecorded and unique! Struck on a broad flan, with lustrous fields.
With the extensive research in Roman coinage undertaken in the last five decades, it is very unusual to come across an aureus type by a major ruler that is completely unrecorded, but that is the case here. It is well known that Diocletian and his imperial colleague Maximian took upon themselves the roles of Jupiter and Hercules respectively, each forming a dynastic "house" -- the Jovian for Diocletian and Herculean for Maximian. Although there are many types featuring Hercules during the tetrarchy, particularly by Maximian and Galerius, no other recorded example features this combination of type and legend. This aureus would seem to be that greatest of numismatic rarities -- a unique issue by a known ruler!
Estimate: 12000-15000 USD