Maximanus VIRT-VS AVGG

[helvetica]

Hi all
One of my regular wildwinds correspondents sent me this image of a coin of Maximianus. The description is as follows:

Maximianus II, Lyons mint, AE follis. 287-293 AD.
IMP C MAXIMIANVS P AVG, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right.
VIRT-VS AVGG, Virtus advancing right, holding spear, shield and
trophy.
(What looks like a V at top left is part of the trophy).

Not in RIC, Cohen, Voetter, Belfort etc. and too early for the Bastien Lyons mint article.

Arguing for the Lyons mint are the shortened P AVG obv. legend, and the fact that this rev. type was used in Lyons for Galerius. But I cannot find an entry in any of my books, so I wonder whether it is in a more modern work ?

[Ryan C]

The only observation I can add is that on the obverse, to the left of Virtus, the damage does seem almost deliberate.

[maridvnvm]

My initial reaction is that this isn't an output of the Lyons mint based on style.
Martin

[helvetica]

Could you describe the characteristics of the Lyons style ?

[Pscipio]

Maybe not a Follis but one of the very rare pre-reform Sestertii? What is the size? It does look ancient to me.

Lars

[curtislclay]

I'd say Mars advancing r. with just spear and shield, no trophy, for which he would need a third hand! So the V at 11 is indeed the second V in VIRTV - S, not part of a trophy.

[helvetica]

On this one of Maximinus II he is holding a spear, shield and trophy in two hands.

http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/maximinus_II/_alexandria_RIC_083.jpg

But even if he is holding just a spear and shield, is it listed anywhere ?