★ Farnese Hercules ★

Diocletian (284-305), Antoninianus, issued 288. Ticinum, 4,97g, 24mm.
Obv: IMP C VAL DIOCLETIANVS AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: HERCVLI CONSERVAT, statue of the Farnese Hercules right, with lion skin and club set on rock pile, PXXIT in ex.
RIC V 215 (obv. legend only at Ticinum).
The reverse is based on the Farnese Hercules statue that was discovered in the Baths of Caracalla in 1546, stood for 200 years in the Palazzo Farnese in Rome, and may now be found in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale in Naples. It depicts Hercules at rest after completing his Labours.