Nomos 9

Maximianus, first reign, 286-305. Medallion (Bronze, 31 mm, 27.71 g, 7 h), Rome, c. 286-287. IMP C M AVR VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Maximianus to right. Rev. MONETA AVGG The three Monetae standing facing, heads to left, each holding scales in her right hand and a cornucopiae in her left. Cohen 402 var. Gnecchi II p. 128, 8 and pl. 126, 8. Very rare. With an excellent portrait of ‘Tetrarchic’ style and a brown patina. Obverse fields very carefully smoothed in the 19th century; reverse scraped and pitted in cleaning, otherwise, nearly extremely fine/good very fine.

From the collection of J. de Lodder, Part I Numismatica Ars Classica 74, 18 November 2013, 321, ex Monnaies et Médailles 52, 19 June 1975, 751, and from the collections of H. Platt-Hall II, Glendining & Co, 16 November 1950, 1988 and C. S. Bement, Naville VIII, 25 June 1925, 1455.

In 1925 Hirsch described this coin as being “de toute beauté” and in 1975 MM called it “superbe”. Neither seemed to even notice that the reverse had been somewhat severely handled, probably because the obverse was so excellent that no one took any interest. But the damaged reverse does have some importance: the traces we can see today must have resulted from the removal of a mount of some kind, put there in antiquity. This piece must have been turned into a brooch of some form, in order to show its wearer’s distinction and support for the emperor. At some point this mount must have broken off and the medallion was lost.