| Diocletian, 20 November 284 - 1 May 305 A.D. |  |
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| Diocletian, 20 November 284 - 1 May 305 A.D. |   | In 290, Diocletian and Maximian met in Milan, on the five-year anniversary of their rule, to discuss politics and war. Rome had become only the ceremonial capital of the Empire. |
| RB64528. Bronze antoninianus, RIC V, part II 27; Cohen 161; Bastien VII 310 (3 examples cited), VF, weight 4.018 g, maximum diameter 22.4 mm, die axis 180o, 1st officina, Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, emission 7, spring 290 - 291A.D.; obverse IMP DIOCLETIANVS P AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust left, spear over shoulder in right, shield in left; reverse IOVI AVGG, Jupiter standing left, nude but for chlamys over shoulders, Victory on globe in right, long scepter vertical behind in left, eagle at feet, P in exergue; $150.00 (€115.50) |
|  | In 291, Diocletian signed peace treaties with the kingdoms of Aksum and Nubia. |
| RB51543. Silvered antoninianus, Bastien PL. XXIII, 323a (same obverse die, 39 spec.), RIC V 28, Cohen 153, VF, weight 2.785 g, maximum diameter 22.5 mm, die axis 180o, Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, 290 - 291 A.D.; obverse IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG, radiate and mantled bust left, holding eagle tipped scepter; reverse IOVI AVGG, Jupiter standing left, victory in right, leaning on long scepter in left, eagle at feet left, A in ex; ex Harlan J. Berk; $90.00 (€69.30) |
|  | In late summer 285, Diocletian defended the Danube against Sarmatian raids. He transferred his capital to Nicomedia (Turkey). |
| RA62643. Silvered antoninianus, RIC V 325, EF, weight 4.820 g, maximum diameter 21.7 mm, die axis 180o, Antioch mint, 285 A.D.; obverse IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse IOVI CONSERVATO-RI AVGG, Emperor and Jupiter facing, Emperor holding parazonium, Jupiter presenting Victory on a globe offering wreath and holding long scepter vertical behind in left, A in center, XXI in ex; full silvering; $90.00 (€69.30) |
|  | The Roman's believed Jupiter granted protection and success to his favorites, who tended to be people in positions of authority similar to his own. |
| RA62650. Silvered antoninianus, RIC V 325, EF, weight 4.120 g, maximum diameter 20.5 mm, die axis 0o, Antioch mint, 285 A.D.; obverse IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse IOVI CONSERVATO-RI AVGG, Emperor (on left) and Jupiter standing confronted, Emperor holding parazonium, Jupiter presenting Victory on a globe offering wreath and holding long scepter vertical behind in left, H in center, XXI in ex; near full silvering; $90.00 (€69.30) |
|  | In 292, Achilleus, Roman general, was proclaimed emperor in Alexandria. For two years he ruled over Egypt, but in 294 his rebellion was crushed by Emperor Diocletian. |
| RS60443. Silvered antoninianus, RIC V 34, Bastien 435, EF, uneven strike, weight 2.795 g, maximum diameter 22.4 mm, die axis 0o, Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, 292 A.D.; obverse IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse IOVI AVGG, Jupiter seated left, Victory on globe in right, long scepter behind in left, [A in ex]; full silvering; $85.00 (€65.45) |
|  | The Roman's believed Jupiter granted protection and success to his favorites, who tended to be people in positions of authority similar to his own. |
| RA62646. Silvered antoninianus, RIC V 329, aEF, weight 3.571 g, maximum diameter 21.3 mm, die axis 0o, Tripolis mint, 285 - 290 A.D.; obverse IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG, Emperor on left, standing right, parazonium in left, receiving Victory on globe from Jupiter standing left and holding scepter, TR in center, XXI• in ex; near full silvering; $85.00 (€65.45) |
|  | In 292, Achilleus, Roman general, was proclaimed emperor in Alexandria. For two years he ruled over Egypt, but in 294 his rebellion was crushed by Emperor Diocletian. |
| RS58193. Silvered antoninianus, RIC V 34, gVF, weight 4.012 g, maximum diameter 22.3 mm, die axis 0o, Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, 292 - 294 A.D.; obverse IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right; reverse IOVI AVGG, Jupiter seated left, Victory on globe in right, long scepter behind in left, A in ex; $75.00 (€57.75) |
|  | In 293, Diocletian's Palace was built at a small bay on the Dalmatian coast, four miles from Salona, today's Split, Croatia. |
| RA62640. Silvered antoninianus, RIC V 322, gVF, weight 4.100 g, maximum diameter 22.9 mm, die axis 0o, Antioch mint, 293 - 295 A.D.; obverse IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse CONCORDIA MILITVM, Emperor standing right holding parazonium, receiving Victory on globe from Jupiter holding sceptre, I in center, XXI in ex; $70.00 (€53.90) |
|  | In 294, Diocletian accompanied by the young Constantine I (later the first Christian Roman Emperor) travelled to Egypt, besieged Alexandria, and deposed the pretender "emperor" Achilleus, who had ruled in Egypt for two years. |
| RB43291. Bronze antoninianus, RIC V 61, Bastien 607 (4 specimens), VF/F, weight 3.386 g, maximum diameter 25.0 mm, die axis 180o, Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, 294 A.D.; obverse DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, radiate, helmeted and cuirassed bust right; reverse PAX AETERN, Pax walking left, olive branch extended in right, long scepter in left, A in ex; scarce; $65.00 (€50.05) |
|  | A sum of Greek numerals Ε (5) and ∆ (4) is used to indicate the 9th officina in order to avoid using Θ (9). Because they sound alike, theta (Θ) was associated with Thanatos, the daemon personification of death. Also, after a funeral "Nine Days of Sorrow," were solemnly observed by the family. Romans avoided the use of theta, as we avoid the use of the number 13 today. |
| RB56745. Bronze antoninianus, RIC V 322, VF, weight 4.322 g, maximum diameter 21.1 mm, die axis 180o, Antioch mint, 293 - 295 A.D.; obverse IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, radiate draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse CONCORDIA MILITVM, Diocletian receiving Victory on globe from Jupiter, E∆ (officina 9) in center, XXI in exergue; most silvering remaining, excellent centering; $65.00 (€50.05) |
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