RIC V Diocletian 458
Record status
Individual type · research required
Issuing entity
Roman EmpireRIC V Diocletian 458. Denomination: Antoninianus. Authority: Maximian. Mint: Lugdunum. The obverse shows bust of Maximian, radiate, draped, right, or bust of Maximian, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right, or bust of Maximian, radiate, cuirassed, right, or bust of Maximian, radiate, helmeted, cuirassed, right or left, sometimes holding spear and shield, or bust of Maximian, radiate, cuirassed, left, holding club and lion's skin, with the legend IMP C MAXIMIANVS P AVG.
The reverse shows hercules, standing right, strangling lion; behind, club, with the legend VIRTVTI AVGG.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 3
- Catalogue references
- 1
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Maximian, nicknamed Herculius, was Roman emperor from 286 to 305, having previously served as Caesar from 285 to 286. He shared the rank of Augustus with his co-emperor Diocletian. Maximian spent much of his reign on military campaign, suppressing the Bagaudae rebels in Gaul in late 285 and fighting Germanic tribes along the Rhine frontier between 285 and 288.
This antoninianus was produced at the mint of Lugdunum. First introduced in 215 AD by Caracalla, the antoninianus was a denomination thought to have been valued at two denarii, distinguished by the radiate crown worn by the emperor. By the late third century, soldier emperors required substantial coin issues to pay their troops and secure their loyalty. The coin bears the obverse legend "IMP C MAXIMIANVS P AVG" alongside a reverse showing Hercules strangling a lion, accompanied by the inscription "VIRTVTI AVGG".
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver
- Denomination
- Antoninianus
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Lugdunum
- Authority
- Maximian
Design
- Obverse
- Bust of Maximian, radiate, draped, right, or bust of Maximian, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right, or bust of Maximian, radiate, cuirassed, right, or bust of Maximian, radiate, helmeted, cuirassed, right or left, sometimes holding spear and shield, or bust of Maximian, radiate, cuirassed, left, holding club and lion's skin
- Reverse
- Hercules, standing right, strangling lion; behind, club
- Obverse legend
- IMP C MAXIMIANVS P AVG
- Reverse legend
- VIRTVTI AVGG
Identification
- Type reference
- RIC V Diocletian 458
- Denomination and metal
- Antoninianus, Silver
- Obverse legend to match
- IMP C MAXIMIANVS P AVG
- Reverse legend to match
- VIRTVTI AVGG
- Source note
- Type description from the American Numismatic Society's Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE); individual specimens differ in die, flan size, weight and wear, and legend breaks may vary.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Recorded
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Recorded
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Recorded
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
- RIC / OCREric.5.dio.458
Research required
- Editorial verification required.
- Weight, diameter and mint marks require specimen-level evidence.
- Museum specimen photographs are linked by the source; local photographs and reuse rights remain unverified.