Diocletianus with Maximianus Herculius Bronze Cast of AV (Gold) Medallion Roman Empire 287 AD Aged with Oxidized Patina Museum Reproduction CRM0024

LYON LEAD MEDALLION – It was found in 1862 during some excavations made in the Saône, near Lyon. In 1870 it was sent to the Cabinet des Médailles de Paris. The 70 mm piece found in the Saône corresponds in fact to a lead proof of the reverse of a gold medallion. This must have been a medallion somewhere in the range of 36 to 100 Aurei. It is also important to recall that Roman medallions were produced in order to commemorate exceptional events. However, as we do not have any real medallion bearing on the reverse the image represented on this proof, we cannot answer the question of whether this type of medallion was actually produced and distributed. In the upper half of the medallion, on the left, two Roman soldiers, each bearing one helmet, one shield, and a spear can be seen. In addition, two laureate Emperors whose heads are adorned with halos are represented. The identity of these emperors has been debated and is of course connected to the issue of the dating of the coin. Who are they ? Diocletian (left) and Maximian (right) ? Constantius I(left) and Maximian (right), or even Valentinian I and Gratian ?

DESIGN:
Obverse side
Antithetical busts of Diocletian, l., And Maximianus, r., In the chest view, both with a laurel wreath, eagle scepter and Konsularsgewand
Legend:
IMPP DIOCLETIANO ET MAXIMIANO AVGG

Reverse side
A scene spread over two registers. In the upper register Diocletian and Maximian Hercules are seated side by side on curule chairs, their heads crowned, dressed in their purple togas, and surrounded by soldiers and supplicants, men, women and children, whom they welcome with kindness. In the lower register, Maximian returning victorious from Germania, crosses the Rhine again on a bridge thrown over the river, between two fortresses, whose walls and high towers can be seen. He is preceded by two Victories and a child. One of the Victories carries a palm, the other crowns the emperor. Under the bridge we read FL RENVS. The city that the emperor leaves is Cassel, indicated by the legend CASTEL(lum), which can be deciphered above the gate. The city into which he will enter is Mainz, designated by the inscription MOGONTIACUM.
Legend:
SAECVLI FELICITAS; MOGONTIACVM CASTEL Fl(uvius) RENVS in the lower half

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