Coins and Antiquities Consignment Shop
  10% Off Store-Wide Sale Until 2 April!!! All Items Purchased From Forum Ancient Coins Are Guaranteed Authentic For Eternity!!! Please Call Us If You Have Questions 252-646-1958 Expert Authentication - Accurate Descriptions - Reasonable Prices - Coins From Under $10 To Museum Quality Rarities 10% Off Store-Wide Sale Until 2 April!!! All Items Purchased From Forum Ancient Coins Are Guaranteed Authentic For Eternity!!! Internet Challenged? We Are Happy To Take Your Order Over The Phone 252-646-1958 Explore Our Website And Find Joy In The History, Numismatics, Art, Mythology, And Geography Of Coins!!!

×Catalog Main Menu
Fine Coins Showcase

Antiquities Showcase
New & Reduced


Show Empty Categories
Shop Search
Shopping Cart
My FORVM
Contact Us
About Forum
Shopping at Forum
Our Guarantee
Payment Options
Shipping Options & Fees
Privacy & Security
Forum Staff
Selling Your Coins
Identifying Your Coin
FAQs
zoom.asp
   View Categories
Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Roman Coins| ▸ |The Tetrarchy| ▸ |Diocletian||View Options:  |  |  |     

Diocletian, 20 November 284 - 1 May 305 A.D.

Caius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus was a man of humble birth who rose through the Roman military ranks on pure talent. Becoming emperor after the assassination of Carinus, Diocletian introduced many reforms that prolonged the life of the Empire, which was on the verge of total collapse before his reign. These reforms, however, eliminated most personal freedoms and turned much of the population into hereditary serfs. Diocletian was the first Roman emperor to voluntarily abdicate. He lived out his retirement in his palace on the Dalmatian coast, tending his vegetable gardens. His palace went on to become the core of the modern day city of Split.

|Diocletian|, |Diocletian,| |20| |November| |284| |-| |1| |May| |305| |A.D.||argenteus|
"'Argenteus' is the modern name of the 95% fine silver coins of about 3.15 grams which the Tetrarchy issued beginning with Diocletian's coinage reform in 294. They were struck at a nominal 96 to the Roman libra (pound), which gave them a theoretical weight of 3.40 grams, but the government simply over-valued them. The term 'siliqua' replaces the term 'argenteus' during the reign of Constantine I, but argenteus is applied interchangeably with the term '1½ siliqua' for fourth and fifth century Roman silver coins struck at about 3.0 grams (since the siliqua was reduced to about 2.0 grams about 355)." - Moneta Historical Research by Thomas Schroer
SH21638. Silver argenteus, RIC VI Roma 27a (R), RSC V 516e, cf. SRCV IV 12617 (Siscia, Rome noted), Hunter V -, Choice aMS, lustrous, full circle strike on both obverse and reverse, weight 3.064 g, maximum diameter 19.8 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, 294 A.D.; obverse DIOCLETI-ANVS AVG, laureate head right; reverse VIRTVS MILITVM (courage of the soldiers), the four princes sacrificing over tripod before archway of six-turreted enclosure; SOLD


|Diocletian|, |Diocletian,| |20| |November| |284| |-| |1| |May| |305| |A.D.||argenteus|
In theory, the Roman Empire was not divided by the dual imperium of Diocletian and Maximian. Each emperor had his own court, army, and official residences, but these were matters of practicality, not substance. Imperial propaganda insisted on a singular and indivisible Rome, a patrimonium indivisum. Legal rulings were given and imperial celebrations took place in both emperors' names, and the same coins were issued in both parts of the empire. Diocletian sometimes issued commands to Maximian's province of Africa; Maximian could presumably have done the same for Diocletian's territory.
SH04615. Silver argenteus, RIC VI Antiochia 37a (R4), RSC V 520g, cf. SRCV IV 12618 (Serdica, Antioch noted), Hunter V -, superb aEF, weight 3.24 g, maximum diameter 18.9 mm, die axis 350o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 297 A.D.; obverse DIOCLETIANVS AVG, laureate head right; reverse VIRTVS MILITVM (courage of the soldiers), Campgate with three turrets and no doors, *ANTH in exergue; ex John Aiello; very rare (R4); SOLD


|Diocletian|, |Diocletian,| |20| |November| |284| |-| |1| |May| |305| |A.D.||argenteus|
In 302, Diocletian began passing laws against Christians and a policy of religious oppression in Antioch.
SH63407. Silver argenteus, RIC VI Thessalonica 15a (R4), RSC V 520d, cf. SRCV IV 12618 (Serdica), Hunter V -, VF, nice metal for the type, toned, some scratches, weight 3.192 g, maximum diameter 19.1 mm, die axis 0o, 1st officina, Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece) mint, c. 302 A.D.; obverse DIOCLETI-ANVS AVG, laureate head right; reverse VIRTVS MILITVM (courage of the soldiers), campgate with three turrets, •T•S•A• in exergue; ex Forum (2006); rare; SOLD


|Diocletian|, |Diocletian,| |20| |November| |284| |-| |1| |May| |305| |A.D.||argenteus|
"'Argenteus' is the modern name of the 95% fine silver coins of about 3.15 grams which the Tetrarchy issued beginning with Diocletian's coinage reform in 294. They were struck at a nominal 96 to the Roman libra (pound), which gave them a theoretical weight of 3.40 grams, but the government simply over-valued them. The term 'siliqua' replaces the term 'argenteus' during the reign of Constantine I, but argenteus is applied interchangeably with the term '1½ siliqua' for fourth and fifth century Roman silver coins struck at about 3.0 grams (since the siliqua was reduced to about 2.0 grams about 355)." - Moneta Historical Research by Thomas Schroer
SH42180. Silver argenteus, RIC VI Roma 27a (R), RSC V 516e, cf. SRCV IV 12617 (Siscia, Rome noted), Hunter V -, NGC EF (Forum VF), Rome mint, 294 A.D.; obverse DIOCLETI-ANVS AVG, laureate head right; reverse VIRTVS MILITVM (courage of the soldiers), the four princes sacrificing over tripod before archway of city or legionary camp with six turrets; SOLD


Diocletian, 20 November 284 - 1 May 305 A.D., Emperor's Name Misspelled!

|Diocletian|, |Diocletian,| |20| |November| |284| |-| |1| |May| |305| |A.D.,| |Emperor's| |Name| |Misspelled!||follis| |(large)|NEW
In Roman religion, every man has a genius, a presiding spirit. In De Die Natali, Censorinus says, from the moment we are born, we live under the guard and tutelage of Genius. Cities, organizations, and peoples also had a genius. On coins, we find inscriptions to the Genius of the Army, of the Senate, of the Emperor, etc. The legend GENIO POPVLI ROMANI dedicates this coin to the Genius of the Roman People. Genius' image is of a man with a cloak half covering the shoulders leaving the rest of his body naked, holding a cornucopia in one hand, and a simpulum or a patera in the other.
RT114036. Billon follis (large), RIC VI Alexandria p.665, 32a var. (normal spelling); SRCV IV 12803 var. (same), Cohen VI 101 var. (same); Hunter V 114 var. (same, 2nd officina),, Choice EF, considerable silvering remaining, full legends, engraving error misspelling the Emperor's name!, weight 11.126 g, maximum diameter 28.0 mm, die axis 0o, 5th officina, Alexandria mint, c. 301 A.D.; obverse IMP C DIOCETANVS P F AVG (sic!, emperor's name should read DIOCLETIANVS, missing L and second I), laureate head right; reverse GENIO POPVLI ROMANI (to the guardian spirit of the Roman People), Genius standing left, kalathos on head, nude but for cloak over shoulders and left arm, pouring libations from patera in right hand, cornucopia in left hand, E (5th officina) right, XX-I (mark of value, 20 denarii communes = 1 follis) divided across field flanking below center, ALE (Alexandria) in exergue; ON LAYAWAY


|Diocletian|, |Diocletian,| |20| |November| |284| |-| |1| |May| |305| |A.D.||antoninianus|
SH56943. Billon antoninianus, RIC V-2 177, aVF, weight 3.407 g, maximum diameter 23.0 mm, die axis 00o, 4th officina, Rome mint, 293 - 295 A.D.; obverse IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG, radiate bust left, wearing imperial mantle, eagle-tipped scepter in right; reverse PRIMIS X MVLTIS XX, Victory standing left, foot on helmet, inscribing VOT X on shield set on palm tree, R right, XXIΔ in exergue; extremely rare; SOLD


|Diocletian|, |Diocletian,| |20| |November| |284| |-| |1| |May| |305| |A.D.||argenteus|
In 302, Diocletian began passing laws against Christians and a policy of religious oppression in Antioch.
RS84480. Silver argenteus, RIC VI Thessalonica 15a (R4), RSC V 520d, cf. SRCV IV 12618 (Serdica), Hunter V -, VF, light iridescent toning, excellent centering and strike, scratches and marks, some light marks, edge crack, weight 2.948 g, maximum diameter 19.6 mm, die axis 0o, 2nd officina, Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece) mint, c. 302 A.D.; obverse DIOCLETI-ANVS AVG, laureate head right; reverse VIRTVS MILITVM (courage of the soldiers), campgate with three turrets, •T•S•B• in exergue; rare; SOLD


|Diocletian|, |Diocletian,| |20| |November| |284| |-| |1| |May| |305| |A.D.||follis| |(large)|
This is perhaps one of the most unusual issues in the entire follis series. It is nearly always attributed to Treveri (Trier), but a comparison of style and examination of hoards reveals that this issue was not struck in Trier but in Cyzicus. The KS in the field between the two figures is actually the mint mark, not the PTR. A look at the coins of Cyzicus (RIC VI Cyzicus 22-23) shows that the same two officinae (4th and 6th) struck this issue with and without the PTR. The Senior Augustus issues of Diocletian and Maximianus were struck at every mint currently in operation. Apparently, the first coins of this type were prepared at Trier and examples were sent to the various mints for the individual mints to copy. At Cyzicus, the die engravers copied everything, including the Trier mint mark and put their own mint mark in the field. Eventually someone realized the mistake and new dies were prepared with the mint mark replacing PTR in its proper location.

Quies is the personification of rest and retirement. This coin honors the Senior Emperors Diocletian and Maximian after their abdication in 305 A.D. The obverse dedicates the coin, to our lord Maximian the happy senior emperor. The reverse translates, By the providence of the gods, the restful retirement of the Emperors.
SH51541. Billon follis (large), RIC VI Treveri 677a; cf. RIC VI Cyzicus 22 - 23; SRCV IV -, EF, weight 10.854 g, maximum diameter 27.9 mm, die axis 180o, 6th officina, Cyzicus (Kapu Dagh, Turkey) mint, 305 - 307 A.D.; obverse D N DIOCLETIANO FELICISSIMO SEN AVG, laureate bust right, wearing imperial mantle, olive branch in right hand, mappa in left hand; reverse PROVIDENTIA DEORVM QVIES AVGG, Providentia on left standing right, extending right hand to Quies, who is standing left with branch in right and leaning on scepter in left, S - F in outer fields, KS bottom center, PTR in exergue; rare; SOLD


|Diocletian|, |Diocletian,| |20| |November| |284| |-| |1| |May| |305| |A.D.||follis| |(large)|
In Roman religion, every man has a genius, a presiding spirit. In De Die Natali, Censorinus says, from the moment we are born, we live under the guard and tutelage of Genius. Cities, organizations, and peoples also had a genius. On coins, we find inscriptions to the Genius of the Army, of the Senate, of the Emperor, etc. The legend GENIO POPVLI ROMANI dedicates this coin to the Genius of the Roman People. Genius' image is of a man with a cloak half covering the shoulders leaving the rest of his body naked, holding a cornucopia in one hand, and a simpulum or a patera in the other.
RB93169. Billon follis (large), apparently unpublished; cf. RIC VI Siscia 76a var. (... P F AVG), Cohen VI 106 var. (same), SRCV IV 12778 var. (same), Hunter V -, Choice VF, well centered, brown tone, flow lines, light earthen deposits, minor flaw on neck, weight 11.169 g, maximum diameter 27.4 mm, die axis 0o, 2nd officina, Siscia (Sisak, Croatia) mint, c. 294 A.D.; obverse IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P AVG, laureate head right; reverse GENIO POPVLI ROMANI (to the guardian spirit of the Roman People), Genius standing slightly left, head left, nude but for chlamys over shoulders and left arm, kalathos on head, pouring libations from patera in right hand, cornucopia in left hand, S - B across field, nothing in exergue; from the Errett Bishop Collection; extremely rare, apparently unpublished, possibly unique, no other specimens known to Forum; SOLD


|Diocletian|, |Diocletian,| |20| |November| |284| |-| |1| |May| |305| |A.D.||follis| |(large)|
In 301 A.D., Diocletian issued his Edict on Maximum Prices in an attempt to curb inflation.
SH14029. Billon follis (large), RIC VI Londinium 13, SRCV IV 12760, Cohen VI 87, Hunter V -, EF, near full silver, bold and sharp portrait, head of Genius not fully struck, weight 9.839 g, maximum diameter 29.1 mm, die axis 180o, Londinium (London, England) mint, c. 301 - 303 A.D.; obverse IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right; reverse GENIO POPVLI ROMANI (to the guardian spirit of the Roman People), Genius standing left, kalathos on head, nude but for chlamys over shoulders and left arm, patera in right hand, cornucopia in left hand; SOLD




    




You are viewing a SOLD items page.
Click here to return to the page with AVAILABLE items.
The sale price for a sold item is the private information of the buyer and will not be provided.



OBVERSE LEGENDS

DIOCLETIANVSAVG
DIOCLETIANVSPAVG
DIOCLETIANVSAVGVSTVS
DIOCLETIANVSPFAVG
DNDIOCLETIANOBAEATIS
DNDIOCLETIANOFELICIS
DNDIOCLETIANOFELICISSIMOSENAVG
DNDIOCLETIANOPFSAVG
IMPCCVALDIOCLETIANVSPFAVG
IMPCDIOCLETIANVSPFAVG
IMPDIOCLETIANVSAVG
IMPDIOCLETIANVSPFAVG


REFERENCES

Bastien, P. Le monnayage de I'atelier de Lyon, Diocletien et ses coregents avant la reforme monetaire (285 - 294). Numismatique Romaine VII. (Wetteren, 1972).
Bastien, P. Le Monnayage de l'Atelier de Lyon, De la Réforme Monétaire de Dioclétien à la fermeture temporaire de l'Atelier en 316 (294 - 316). Numismatique Romaine XI. (Wetteren, 1980).
Calicó, X. The Roman Avrei, Vol. Two: From Didius Julianus to Constantius I, 193 AD - 335 AD. (Barcelona, 2003).
Cloke, H. & L. Toone. The London Mint of Constantius & Constantine. (London, 2015).
Cohen, H. Description historique des monnaies frappées sous l'Empire Romain, Vol. 6: Macrianus to Diocletian & Maximianus. (Paris, 1886).
Depeyrot, G. Les monnaies d'or de Diocletien à Constantin I (284-337). Moneta 1. (Wetteren, 1995).
Gnecchi, F. I Medaglioni Romani. (Milan, 1912).
Jelocnik, A. The Sisak Hoard of Argentei of the Early Tetrarchy. (Ljubljana, 1961).
King, C. Roman Quinarii from the Republic to Diocletian and the Tetrarchy. (Oxford, 2007).
King, C. & D. Sear. Roman Silver Coins, Volume V, Carausius to Romulus Augustus. (London, 1987).
MANTIS the American Numismatic Society Collections Database - http://numismatics.org/search/
Mattingly, H., E. Sydenham & P. Webb. The Roman Imperial Coinage, Vol. V, Part II, Probus to Amandus. (London, 1933).
Paolucci, R. & A. Zub. La monetazione di Aquileia Romana. (Padova, 2000).
Robinson, A. Roman Imperial Coins in the Hunter Coin Cabinet, University of Glasgow, Vol. IV. Valerian I to Allectus. (Oxford, 1978).
Robinson, A. Roman Imperial Coins in the Hunter Coin Cabinet, University of Glasgow, Vol. V. Diocletian (Reform) to Zeno. (Oxford, 1982).
Sear, D. Roman Coins and Their Values, Vol. IV: The Tetrarchies and the Rise of the House of Constantine...Diocletian To Constantine I, AD 284 - 337. (London, 211).
Sutherland, R. & C. Carson. The Roman Imperial Coinage, Vol VI, From Diocletian's reform to the death of Maximinus. (London, 1967).

Catalog current as of Thursday, March 28, 2024.
Page created in 1.25 seconds.
All coins are guaranteed for eternity