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Description: | A lead alloy gilded Roman possible contempoary copy of a coin or medallion of Diocletian. MAXIMI[NVS] NOB CAES reverse type depicting the Emperor helmeted and cuirassed facing left with spear over right shoulder and shield on left shoulder.Obverse inscription: IMP DIOCLETIANVS P AVGObverse description: laureate head leftReverse inscription: MAXIMI[NVS] NOB CAESReverse description: Bust helmeted and laureate, spear or sceptre on right shoulder and shield on left shoulderThere seems little doubt that the reverse legend would have been MAXIMINVS rather that what might have been expected MAXIMIANVS, as the letter following the second I is almost certainly an N rather than an A and there is insufficient space for the longer name.The obverse legend was used for Diocletian from c.294 to before 1 May 305, that for Maximinus from after 1 May 305. The obverse matches the style and typology of early nummi from Trier (c.298-9), RICVI, p. 182, no. 185a or p. 187, no. 299,). The reverse is probably based on a prototype fromAquileia (305-307),RIC VI, p. 320, no. 68b or p. 323, no. 100aIf this piece is copying an ancient coin the original can really only have been struck at around the date of Diocletian's retirement and the elevation of Maximinus, ie. 305.If the is intended to be a coin or medallion it would have to be of the weight of a double aureus or double solidus.A silver medallion in Paris is discussed inRICVol VI p. 241 with the obverse inscription IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG Bust laureate and cuirassed left and the reverse inscription MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES Bust laureate right.The possible coin appears to be a cast copy, it is not two issues pressed into lead at the legends are not reversed. The gilding suggests that this could be a plated copy of a gold aureus or medallion although at present this is uncertain. Casting moulds of the tetrarchic period are known from Duston yet due to its methods of production it seems unlikely to be a cast copy of a nummus designed defraud.Thanks to David Algar for his comments
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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