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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Roman Coins| ▸ |The Tetrarchy| ▸ |Diocletian||View Options:   | | | 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. |
Cyzicus was one of the great cities of the ancient world. It was said to have been founded by Pelasgians from Thessaly, according to tradition at the coming of the Argonauts; later, allegedly in 756 B.C., it received many colonists from Miletus. Owing to its advantageous position it speedily acquired commercial importance, and the gold staters of Cyzicus were a staple currency in the ancient world till they were superseded by those of Philip of Macedon. The site of Cyzicus, located on the Erdek and Bandirma roads, is protected by Turkey's Ministry of Culture.RT112725. Bronze post-reform radiate, RIC VI 15a; SRCV IV 12834; Cohen VI 34; Hunter V p. 12, 82 (var. also draped), Choice EF, well centered, flow lines, weight 2.623 g, maximum diameter 22.0 mm, die axis 210o, 3rd officina Cyzicus (Kapu Dagh, Turkey) mint, 295 - 299 A.D.; obverse IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front; reverse CONCORDIA MILITVM (harmony with the soldiers), Diocletian (on left) and Jupiter standing confronted, Diocletian standing right, laureate and wearing military garb, parazonium in left hand, receiving Victory on globe from Jupiter with right hand, Jupiter standing left, nude but for paludamentum on left shoulder, leaning on long scepter in left hand, Victory in Jupiter's right hand is offering wreath to Diocletian and holding palm frond over shoulder, KΓ low in center; SOLD
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.RB93346. Billon follis (large), Hunter V 22 (also 1st officina), RIC VI Ticinum 31a, SRCV IV 12772, Cohen VI 101,, Choice aEF, much silvering, well centered, flow lines, tiny edge split, weight 8.563 g, maximum diameter 28.0 mm, die axis 180o, 1st officina, Ticinum (Pavia, Italy) mint, c. 296 - 297 A.D.; obverse IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, laureate head right; reverse GENIO POPVLI ROMANI (to the guardian spirit of the Roman People), Genius standing half left, nude but for chlamys over shoulders and left arm, kalathos on head, patera in right hand, cornucopia in left hand, star lower left, PT in exergue; from the Errett Bishop Collection; SOLD
The Christian martyr Quirinus of Sescia, presumed the first bishop of the Diocese of Sescia (Siscia), was tortured and nearly killed during Diocletian's persecution of Christians. Legend has it that they tied him to a millstone and threw him into a river, but he freed himself from the weight, escaped and continued to preach his faith. Today he is the patron saint of Sisak. When Diocletian split Pannonia into four provinces, Siscia became the capital of Pannonia Savia, the southwestern one, for which Siscia contained the treasury; at the same time it was the station of the small fleet kept on the Savus. Siscia maintained its importance until Sirmium began to rise, for in proportion as Sirmium rose, Siscia sank and declined.RA71665. Billon antoninianus, RIC V-2 270; Cohen VI 259; cf. SRCV IV 12669 (Lugdunum), Choice EF, near perfect centering, sharp detail, much silvering remaining, weight 3.638 g, maximum diameter 22.2 mm, die axis 180o, 1st officina, Siscia (Sisak, Croatia) mint, 287 A.D.; obverse IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse IOVI CONSERVATORI (to Jupiter the protector), Jupiter standing left, nude but for chlamys over shoulders, thunderbolt in right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left hand, A in left field, XXI in exergue; SOLD
The obverse dedicates the coin, "to our lord Diocletian the most pious and fortunate senior emperor." Quies is the personification of rest and retirement and this reverse is dedicated to the rest and retirement of Diocletian and Maximian after their abdication in 305 A.D.RL74446. Billon follis (large), RIC VI Londinium 98, Cohen VI 428, SRCV IV 12955, gVF, well centered, light corrosion primarily on the reverse, weight 8.304 g, maximum diameter 26.6 mm, die axis 180o, Londinium (London) mint, 3rd emission, 307 A.D.; obverse D N DIOCLETIANO P F S AVG, laureate bust right, wearing imperial mantle, olive branch in right hand, mappa in left hand; reverse QVIES AVGG, Quies standing half left, branch downward in right hand, long scepter in left hand, PLN in exergue; ex William B. Porter Collection; SOLD
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.RA67092. Billon antoninianus, RIC V-2 28; Bastien VII 317 (16 examples cited), gVF, near full silvering, weight 3.663 g, maximum diameter 22.5 mm, die axis 180o, 1st officina, Lugdunum (Lyon, France) mint, 7th Issue, spring 290 - 291 A.D.; obverse IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG, radiate, helmeted and cuirassed bust right; reverse IOVI AVGG, Jupiter standing left, nude but for cloak over shoulders, Victory on globe in right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left, eagle left at feet on left, A in exergue; SOLD
In 301 A.D., Diocletian issued his Edict on Maximum Prices in an attempt to curb inflation.RB37967. Billon follis (large), RIC VI Roma 100a, gVF, nice portrait, minor roughness, weight 11.595 g, maximum diameter 27.5 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, 300 - 301 A.D.; obverse IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, laureate head right; reverse SACRA MON VRB AVGG ET CAESS NN, Moneta standing left, scales in right hand, cornucopia in left hand, P and thunderbolt in exergue; scarce; SOLD
Diocletian, 20 November 284 - 1 May 305 A.D., Roman Provincial Egypt
In 292, General Achilleus was proclaimed emperor in Alexandria. For two years he ruled Egypt. Achilleus did not strike coins in his own name but issued coins in the names of Diocletian, Maximianus, Constantius I, and Galerius. In 294, Diocletian accompanied by the young Constantine I (later the first Christian Emperor) traveled to Egypt, besieged Alexandria, and deposed the pretender.RX57425. Billon tetradrachm, Milne 5093; Dattari 5804; Kampmann 119.85; Geissen 3260 var. (1st officina); BMC p. 327, 2536 var. (no officina); SNG Cop 1008; Emmett 4037, gVF, weight 6.218 g, maximum diameter 19.6 mm, die axis 0o, 4th officina, Alexandria mint, 29 Aug 292 - 28 Aug 293 A.D.; obverse ΔIOKΛHTIANOC CEB, laureate and cuirassed bust right; reverse ENATOV L (year 9), eagle standing left, head turned back right, wings closed, wreath in beak, Δ (4th officina) in exergue; SOLD
RB27303. Billon antoninianus, RIC V-2 239, EF, sharp portrait, flat areas, weight 3.143 g, maximum diameter 22.3 mm, die axis 180o, Ticinum (Pavia, Italy) mint, obverse IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse MARS VICTOR (Mars the Victor), Mars advancing right, nude but for crested helmet and cloak tied in belt at waist and flying behind, transverse spear in right hand, trophy of captured arms over left shoulder in left hand, VIXXIT in exergue; SOLD
This type and mintmark spanned two issues at Thessalonica. The first issue, RIC VI Thessalonica 17a, was struck c. 296 - 297, by the 1st through 5th officinae. The second issue, RIC VI Thessalonica 19a, was struck c. 297 - 298, by the 1st through 6th officinae. Both issues weighed 9.5-10.75 grams. They are distinguished by the head size, with 19a having a larger head. The next issue, RIC VI Thessalonica 23a, which is rare, was struck with a pellet before and after the mint mark and officina number.RT77053. Billon follis (large), RIC VI Heraclea 19a, SRCV IV 12787, Cohen VI 106, Hunter V 73 var. (4th officina, larger head), VF, well centered, weight 8.239 g, maximum diameter 27.0 mm, die axis 0o, 3rd officina, Heraclea (Marmara Ereglisi, Turkey) mint, 297 - 298 A.D.; obverse IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, laureate head right, larger head; 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, HTΓ in exergue; SOLD
RA67091. Billon antoninianus, Bastien VII 401 (3 examples cited), RIC V, Part II, 89; Cohen 445, gVF/F, worn reverse die, weight 3.681 g, maximum diameter 23.8 mm, die axis 180o, Lugdunum (Lyon, France) mint, 7th issue, spring 290 - 291 A.D.; obverse IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG, radiate bust left, wearing imperial mantle, globe in right; reverse SALVS AVGG (the health of the two emperors), Salus standing right, feeding snake from patera, C in exergue; a rare bust type for Diocletian; rare (R3); SOLD
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