Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 512 23 Mar 2022
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Maximianus. First reign, AD 286-305. Antoninianus (22mm, 3.64 g, 12h). Antioch mint, 9th officina. Struck AD 285-295. Radiate and cuirassed bust right / Jupiter standing right, holding scepter and globe, facing Hercules standing left, holding Victory, club and lion's skin; ЄΔ//•XXI. RIC V 622. Nearly full silvering with traces of iridescence, minor deposits. EF.
Ex Jencek Historical Enterprise Auction 2 (ND), lot 146.
This coin from Antioch employs the use of additive alphanumeric numbers to express a singular alphanumeric number that is unable to be expressed by itself. In this case the number 9 would normally be represented by the Greek letter Θ. That letter, however, was considered cursed, since it was the first letter of the Greek word for death (ὁ θάνατος); in its place, the numeral would be spelled out, and is common on imperial dated issues of Alexandria, where space is made to accommodate it. With limited space on the reverse of this antoninianus, it was easier to write ЄΔ (5+4).
Ex Jencek Historical Enterprise Auction 2 (ND), lot 146.
This coin from Antioch employs the use of additive alphanumeric numbers to express a singular alphanumeric number that is unable to be expressed by itself. In this case the number 9 would normally be represented by the Greek letter Θ. That letter, however, was considered cursed, since it was the first letter of the Greek word for death (ὁ θάνατος); in its place, the numeral would be spelled out, and is common on imperial dated issues of Alexandria, where space is made to accommodate it. With limited space on the reverse of this antoninianus, it was easier to write ЄΔ (5+4).