Maximianus, first reign, 286-305. Aureus (gold, 19 mm, 5.22 g, 6 h), Aquileia, 303. MAXIMIANVS - AVGVSTVS Laureate head of Maximianus to right. Rev. XX / MAXI/MIAN/I AVG / SMAQ within laurel wreath. Calicó 4766. Depeyrot 4/4 corr. (obverse legend break). Paolucci & Zub 26. RIC 13. Extremely rare. An exceptional piece, boldly struck, lustrous, and with a distinctively attractive portrait. A few tiny marks on the obverse, otherwise, good extremely fine. Ex Leu 13, 27 May 2023, 352, and previously from the collection of a maître cuisinier, acquired before 2005. On 20 November 303, Diocletian and Maximianus celebrated their vicennalia, marking the twentyth anniversary of their access to power. This significant millestone was willingly commemorated through the empire, both on coins such as this beautiful aureus and in imperial architecture, including the Five-Columns Monument in the Forum Romanum in Rome. It was likely on this occasion that Diocletian secured Maximians promise to save with him as part of the new tetrarch system. This system aimed to replace the two Augusti with two Caesares every twenty years to prevent civil wars and dynamic rule. Maximianus complied, albeit reluctantly, and retarded alongside Diocletian on 1 May 305, passing the leadership to Galerius and Constantius I, respectfully. However, with Constantius I such an early death in the summer of 306 and the subsequent elevation of his son Constantine to Augustus, Diocletian such tetrarch system soon faced a crisis. Despite answers to restrain the ambitious Constantine, he ultimately became the sole Augustus after his decisive victory over Licinius I in 324. This lot can be shipped to a US address.