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Nomos 18

5 May 2019
Zunfthaus zur Saffran, Zurich
overview
Estimate: 2750 CHF
Hammer Price:  Unsold
Lot 336

Galerius , as Caesar, 293-305. Argenteus (Silver, 19 mm, 2.59 g, 5 h), very possibly a contemporary imitation, Trier (?), 295-297 (or slightly later). MAXIMI - ANVS C Laureate head of Galerius to right. Rev. VIRTVS - MILITVM / C The four Tetrarchs sacrificing before the gate of an enclosure with six turrets. Apparently unpublished, RIC -. An enigmatic and extraordinary piece! Well-struck, clear and lightly toned. Good extremely fine.



This coin is quite unexplicable! The obverse legend, MAXIMIANVS C, is quite unusual, and is only known for aes issues from Ticinum and Rome. The C in the reverse exergue, paired with minimal obverse legends (MAXIMIANVS NOB C, DIOCLETIANVS AVG, CONSTANTIVS NOB C) and with busts that are the same style as this piece (including the wreath ties), is found solely at Trier: this suggests that our coin was struck there. However, the distinctly low weight of 2.59 g needs to be explained. One possibility is that it is a contemporary imitation: a very similar piece is known for Diocletian (GoMo 233, 6 October 2015, 1051), but it is significantly cruder. However, the style of this piece is so good that if it is an imitation, its dies must have been engraved by an official mint engraver.

Online bidding closes: 5 May 2019, 14:30:00 CEST Current Date & Time: 28 Mar 2024, 23:23:23 CET Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:Unsold

Pre-Bidding closes on 5 Mai 2019 at 14:30 CEST. Live bidding starts at 14:00 CET and is EXCLUSIVELY available on biddr. Separate registration is required.

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