A Maximianus denarius/abschlag? - Photo posted

[mauseus]

Hi,

Every now and then I get offered a coin I can't resist and today has been one of those days. I don't have it in hand and haven't even seen a picture yet but the chap who is sending it to me is usually reliable in his descriptions:

Obverse: MAXIMIANVS AVG CONS III  
Laureate consular bust left with sceptre.
Reverse: HERCVLI CONSERVATORI
Hercules left leaning club on rock
No mint mark.
AE 17 mm

I'm guessing it may be an abschlag (if it is indeed genuine) but I can't find a gold prototype for it in RIC V or VI. Does the description ring any bells with anyone?

I will, of course, post a picture when it arrives (which will hopefully be soon).

Regards,

Mauseus

[Teutoburgium]

According to its weight, It could a quinar, which is not listed in King, Roman Quinarii...

Teutoburgium

[mauseus]

Hi Teutoburgium,

At 17mm I think the diameter is too large for a quinarius. I think aureus dies may be nearer the size.

I was hoping it would arrive today but it hasn't. Maybe tomorrow, the wait is killing me!

Regards,

Mauseus

[mauseus]

Hi,

Got to the Post Office this morning to pick this up.

Sadly it has been brutaly cleaned, stripping all the patina but is, I believe, genuine. It should tone down in the atmosphere relatively quickly so I'm ok with that.

Die axis: 0 degrees.

Perhaps a denarius, too large for a quinarius when compared to the plate coins in King,the mint looks to be Rome stylistically.

Regards,

Mauseus

[Julianus of Pannonia]

Hi Mauseus,

That's a nice find.
For me it seems to be from Ticinum, compare with Probus: Ticinum is the only mint that counts the Consular dates in the obverse legend )

Regards,
Simon

[mauseus]

Hi Simon,

Further to your post about the consular titles in the obverse I have since found a coin of Diocletian from the Antioch mint with the titles in the obverse legend in the Berlin cabinet. It would appear that it is not an exclusive trait of Ticinum in this period (I am not, however, suggesting my coin could be from Antioch and the styles of Ticinum and Rome are, to my eyes, similar).

The permalink to the item is http://www.smb.museum/ikmk/object.php?id=18225814.

Regards,

Mauseus

[mauseus]

Hi,

I also forgot to post this coin (described as "denarius or quinarius") from the Rome mint that sold some time back that has a similar arrangement of the consular titles from the mint of Rome.

Regards,

Mauseus

[Julianus of Pannonia]

The style of the heads and the ornaments on the Trabea... For me, this coin is also to be attributed to the ticinum mint.

[mauseus]

Hi,

I have to say I'm not totally au fait with the portrait styles of the fractional coins of this period. I know you have an interest in them.

Kind regards,

Mauseus

[Julianus of Pannonia]

Recently I bought the following interesting coin of Maximianus.

In my opinion the two coins share the same obverse die with different reverses.
As the mint mark on mine is SMT, Mauseus' coin now can clearly been assigned to the mint of Ticinum.

So now the only question remaining: Denarius or Abschlag?

Maximianus - 1st Reign.
AE-Denarius or Abschlag
Ov:Laureate bust left, wearing imperial mantle and holding eagle-tipped scepter.
Leg: MAXIMIANVS AVG CONS III
Rv: Hercules and Jupiter clasping hands; at Jupiter’s feet, eagle.
Leg: CONCORDIA AVGG
Ex: SMT
Ticinum
RIC - King - C -

Simon