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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. |
A sum of Greek numerals E (5) and Δ (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. Theta was used as a warning symbol of death, in the same way that skull and crossbones are used in modern times. It survives on potsherds used by Athenians voting for the death penalty. 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.RA73872. Billon antoninianus, RIC V-2 322; Cohen VI 34; SRCV IV 12637, Choice gVF, nice portrait, bold full circles strike, green patina, some silvering, weight 4.317 g, maximum diameter 22.3 mm, die axis 0o, 9th officina Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 293 - 295 A.D.; obverse IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse CONCORDIA MILITVM (harmony with the soldiers), Diocletian receiving Victory on globe from Jupiter, ΕΔ (officina 9) center bottom, •XXI in exergue; SOLD
Juno was the chief female divinity in the Roman pantheon. She was the wife of Jupiter and a member of the Capitoline Triad. She had many different aspects, such as Juno Regina, Juno Sospita, and Juno Lucina, but here she is depicted as Juno Moneta, holding the scales symbolic of equity and a cornucopia indicating plenty. This surname was given to Juno because she counseled the Romans to undertake only just wars in which case she promised that they would never be in want of money. The first mint in Rome was within the temple of Juno Moneta. In 301 A.D., Diocletian issued his Edict on Maximum Prices in an attempt to curb inflation.RB04172. Billon follis (large), Hunter V 26 (also 2nd officina), RIC VI Ticinum 45a, Cohen VI 101, SRCV IV 12772, superb EF, near black patina, exceptional bold strike, weight 10.38 g, maximum diameter 27.3 mm, die axis 0o, 2nd officina, Ticinum (Pavia, Italy) mint, c. 300 - 303 A.D.; obverse IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, laureate head right; reverse SACRA MONET AVGG ET CAESS NOSTR (the sacred money of our two emperors and two princes), Moneta standing slightly left, head left, scales in right hand, cornucopia in left hand, ST• in exergue; from the Aiello Collection; SOLD
In 288, Diocletian conducted a military campaign in Raetia (Switzerland).RB04164. Billon antoninianus, RIC V-2 239; SRCV IV 12675, Cohen VI 297, Hunter IV 32, Bastien 143, aUNC, weight 3.52 g, maximum diameter 22.3 mm, die axis 0o, 1st officina, Lugdunum (Lyon, France) mint, 287 - 289 A.D.; obverse IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse IOVI TVTATORI AVGG, Jupiter standing left, Victory on globe in right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left hand, eagle left at feet on left, P in exergue; from the Aiello Collection; SOLD
The reverse legend translates "Jupiter the Protector of the Emperors." Jupiter or Jove, Zeus to the Greeks, was the king of the gods and god of the sky and thunder, and of laws and social order. As the patron deity of ancient Rome, he was the chief god of the Capitoline Triad, with his sister and wife Juno. The father of Mars, he was therefore the grandfather of Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome. RA65432. Billon antoninianus, RIC V-2 54 (S); Cohen VI 295; Hunter IV 32 var. (obverse legend and bust); SRCV IV 12675 var. (same), gVF, some silvering, weight 3.719 g, maximum diameter 21.3 mm, die axis 180o, 1st officina, Lugdunum (Lyon, France) mint, 289 A.D.; obverse IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P AVG, radiate, cuirassed bust left, spear in right over shoulder, shield in left; reverse IOVI TVTATORI AVGG, Jupiter standing left, Victory on globe in right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left, eagle left at feet on left, P in exergue; scarce with this bust; SOLD
In 303, Diocletian launched the last major persecution of Christians in the Empire. They were forbidden to worship in groups, and thousands of Christians were killed during the next 10 years.RB67093. Billon follis (large), RIC VI Londinium 28a, Cohen VI 87, cf. SRCV IV 12760 (301 - 303 A.D. issue with longer necked bust), Hunter V -, aEF, well centered and struck, near full silvering, edge a little ragged, weight 10.565 g, maximum diameter 29.0 mm, die axis 225o, Londinium (London, England) mint, c. 303 - 305 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
A sum of Greek numerals E (5) and Δ (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. Theta was used as a warning symbol of death, in the same way that skull and crossbones are used in modern times. It survives on potsherds used by Athenians voting for the death penalty. 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.RB71730. Billon antoninianus, RIC V-2 322; SRCV IV 12637; Cohen VI 34; Hunter IV 67 var. (10th officina), EF, perfect centering, excellent portrait, weight 4.274 g, maximum diameter 21.9 mm, die axis 0o, 9th officina, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 293 - 295 A.D.; obverse IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse CONCORDIA MILITVM (harmony with the soldiers), Diocletian (on left) standing right, holding parazonium in his left hand, receiving Victory holding a wreath and standing on a globe from Jupiter, who is standing left, nude but for chlamys over shoulders, holding a long scepter vertically behind in his left hand, ΕΔ (officina 9) in center above exergue line, XXI in exergue; SOLD
Diocletian, 20 November 284 - 1 May 305 A.D., Roman Provincial Egypt
On 1 March 293, Diocletian and Maximian appointed Constantius Chlorus and Galerius as Caesars. This is considered the beginning of the Tetrarchy, known as the Quattuor Principes Mundi ("Four Rulers of the World"). The four Tetrarchs established their capitals close to the Roman frontiers:
- Nicomedia (northwestern Asia Minor) became capital for Diocletian
- Mediolanum (Milan, near the Alps) became the capital for Maximian
- Augusta Treverorum (Trier, in Germany) became the capital for Constantius Chlorus
- Sirmium (Serbia, on the Danube border) became the capital for Galerius
RP89901. Billon tetradrachm, Geissen 3264; Dattari 5787; BMC Alexandria p. 327, 2541; Milne 5065; Curtis 2034; Kampmann 119.84; Emmett 4084.9 (R2), Choice gVF, well centered, dark toning, obverse legend a bit blundered, weight 8.228 g, maximum diameter 19.7 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, 29 Aug 292 - 28 Aug 293 A.D.; obverse ΔIOKΛHTIANOC CEB, laureate and cuirassed bust right, from the front; reverse ENA/TOY / L (year 9) in three lines within a wreath, A in exergue; SOLD
"This reverse is modeled after the famous statue of the Spirit of the Roman People in the Roman Forum. It is unclear when this statue was last seen as it is now lost. Although the coins celebrate a wide range of spirits (e.g., Rome, Augustus, the Army, etc.), the basic design comes from the same statue...The act of pouring the libation to the emperor illustrates what the Christians were required to do in order not to be persecuted." -- Roman Bronze Coins From Paganism to Christianity 294-364 A.D. by Victor FailmezgerRB93349. Billon follis (large), RIC VI Thessalonica 25a, Cohen VI 106, SRCV IV 12785, Hunter V -, Choice VF, well centered, nice green patina with light earthen highlighting, weight 10.251 g, maximum diameter 27.1 mm, die axis 330o, 3rd officina, Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece) mint, 302 - 303 A.D.; obverse IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, laureate head right; reverse GENIO POPVLI ROMANI (to the guardian spirit of the Roman People), Genius standing slightly left, head left, kalathos on head, naked except chlamys over shoulders, pouring libations from patera in right hand, cornucopia in left hand, Γ in right field, •TS• exergue; from the Errett Bishop Collection; SOLD
Diocletian's reign stabilized the empire and marks the end of the Crisis of the Third Century. Diocletian secured the empire's borders and purged it of all threats to his power. He defeated the Sarmatians and Carpi during several campaigns between 285 and 299, the Alamanni in 288, and usurpers in Egypt between 297 and 298.RL98423. Billon antoninianus, Bastien 442 (1 spec.), RIC V-2 14C corr. (draped only, 2nd officina only), Cohen VI -, Hunter IV -, SRCV IV -, Choice VF, well centered, flow lines, traces of silvering, weight 3.296 g, maximum diameter 22.3 mm, die axis 0o, 3rd officina Lugdunum (Lyon, France) mint, emission 8, 292 A.D.; obverse IMP DIOCLETIANVS P AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front; reverse COMES AVGG (companion of the Emperors), Minerva standing half left, head left, wearing crested helmet, spear (or scepter?) vertical in right hand, resting left hand on grounded oval shield, C in exergue; first specimen of this type handled by Forum; rare officina; SOLD
Juno was the chief female divinity in the Roman pantheon. She was the wife of Jupiter and a member of the Capitoline Triad. She had many different aspects, such as Juno Regina, Juno Sospita, and Juno Lucina, but here she is depicted as Juno Moneta, holding the scales symbolic of equity and a cornucopia indicating plenty. This surname was given to Juno because she counseled the Romans to undertake only just wars in which case she promised that they would never be in want of money. The first mint in Rome was within the temple of Juno Moneta.RB04169. Billon follis (large), RIC VI Roma 98a, Choice EF, weight 9.4 g, maximum diameter 27.1 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, 300 - 301 A.D.; obverse IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, laureate head right; reverse SACRA MONET VRB AVGG ET CAESS NN, Aequitas standing slightly left, head left, scales in right hand, cornucopia in left hand, P thunderbolt in exergue; from the Aiello Collection; SOLD
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