Heritage World Coin Auctions
CCE Signature Sale 3054 7-8 April 2017
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Maximian, first reign (AD 286-305). AV aureus (18mm, 5.32 gm, 6h). NGC MS 5/5 - 3/5, Fine Style, scuffs. Carthage, AD 296-305. MAXIMIA-NVS P F AVG, laureate head of Maximian right / HERCVLI COMITI AVGG ET CAESS NN, nude Hercules standing right, resting right hand on grounded club, holding a large apple of the Hesperides in left hand, lion skin draped over forearm, PK in exergue. RIC VI, 3 (R4). Calicó 4648 (R4). Exceedingly rare, with perhaps two or three known specimens (the illustration in Calicó is a crude line drawing). Light scuff on shoulder, otherwise struck in high relief and possessing a remarkable portrait of exceptional style, struck in high relief. Maximian was of hardy peasant stock and rose through the ranks of the Roman Army during the war-torn later third century; along the way he befriended another officer, Diocles, who in 284 was acclaimed as the Emperor Diocletian. Once installed as emperor, Diocletian quickly offered to share power with his old friend. Maximian thus became Hercules to Diocletian's Jupiter, the man of action following the lead of a great planner and organizer. Hercules figures prominently on the coinage of Maximian. On this extremely rare aureus, a striking obverse portrait of Maximian is paired with a muscular figure of Hercules holding one of the Apples of the Hesperides, which he had collected performing his 11th labor. The high quality of the art indicates the Carthege mint possessed an engraver of unique talent, who likely accompanied Maximian when he crossed over to Africa in AD 296 to suppress a revolt of the Moorish tribes.
Estimate: 22000-30000 USD
Maximian, first reign (AD 286-305). AV aureus (18mm, 5.32 gm, 6h). NGC MS 5/5 - 3/5, Fine Style, scuffs. Carthage, AD 296-305. MAXIMIA-NVS P F AVG, laureate head of Maximian right / HERCVLI COMITI AVGG ET CAESS NN, nude Hercules standing right, resting right hand on grounded club, holding a large apple of the Hesperides in left hand, lion skin draped over forearm, PK in exergue. RIC VI, 3 (R4). Calicó 4648 (R4). Exceedingly rare, with perhaps two or three known specimens (the illustration in Calicó is a crude line drawing). Light scuff on shoulder, otherwise struck in high relief and possessing a remarkable portrait of exceptional style, struck in high relief. Maximian was of hardy peasant stock and rose through the ranks of the Roman Army during the war-torn later third century; along the way he befriended another officer, Diocles, who in 284 was acclaimed as the Emperor Diocletian. Once installed as emperor, Diocletian quickly offered to share power with his old friend. Maximian thus became Hercules to Diocletian's Jupiter, the man of action following the lead of a great planner and organizer. Hercules figures prominently on the coinage of Maximian. On this extremely rare aureus, a striking obverse portrait of Maximian is paired with a muscular figure of Hercules holding one of the Apples of the Hesperides, which he had collected performing his 11th labor. The high quality of the art indicates the Carthege mint possessed an engraver of unique talent, who likely accompanied Maximian when he crossed over to Africa in AD 296 to suppress a revolt of the Moorish tribes.
Estimate: 22000-30000 USD