Ave!

Galerius, Radiate Fraction, Button!

Æ 25mm/5.4gm     Cyzicus Mint, ca. 300AD

Con/ See the photo!

Obv/ GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES; Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right

Rev/ CONCORDIA MILITVM; Emperor at left, facing right, receiving victory from Jupiter, opposite, holding scepter. KA below

Ref/ RIC Vol VI, 9B (Cyzicus)

Seller's Note/ Not convinced that this should be posted as an uncleaned coin or, rather, as archeology. Either way, it's a remarkably rare curiosity for your collection.

This issue was certainly holed and made into a button but, when and for what, is the question. We know the ancient Romans used brooches and fibulae for their clothing and not buttons. Perhaps it was holed in antiquity for a use other than a button? Maybe it was found in a farmer's field centuries later and then made to hold his shirt closed. Or maybe, or maybe, or maybe...? Your guess is as good as any of ours so, make up your own explanation!