Roman Collector Posted June 17 · Patron Share Posted June 17 Mike Markowitz has published an article in CoinWeek on the coins of Diocletian. Here's an excerpt - see the complete article online. "THE ABUNDANT AND complex coins of Diocletian document a period of profound change in Roman history. In November 284, Roman soldiers escorting the ailing emperor Numerian’s coach across Anatolia smelled a foul odor. When they opened its curtains, they found the emperor had been dead for some time. Suspicion fell on Lucius Flavius Aper, the Praetorian Prefect[1]. Diocles, commanding the imperial bodyguard, accused Aper of murdering the emperor and executed him on the spot. The legions immediately proclaimed Diocles as emperor, who renamed himself Diocletianus–usually written in English as “Diocletian”. A tough soldier of humble origin from Dalmatia (the coastal region of modern Croatia), Diocletian would rule for 20 years, ending the chaotic “military anarchy” that had tormented the empire for five decades. Realizing that the Roman Empire had become too large for one man to manage, he made his trusted friend Maximianus co-emperor in the West, ruling from Trier in Germany and later from Milan in Italy. Diocletian himself ruled in the East, establishing his capital at Nicomedia (modern Izmit, Türkiye). To ensure a smooth succession, each emperor later appointed a junior colleague (designated as Caesar) in a system that historians call the Tetrarchy[2]. Maximian chose Constantius Chlorus as his junior colleague, while Diocletian chose Galerius, sealing the deal by giving Galerius his daughter in marriage." Some photos from the article: 24 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted June 17 · Supporter Share Posted June 17 Diocletian is a fascinating figure - probably the most gifted and far-sighted administrator since Augustus - yet his Tetrarchic system was unable to survive his retirement and death. For those interested in a deeper dive I recommend Stephen Williams' excellent book Diocletian and the Roman Recovery. DIOCLETIAN, AD 284-305 Billon Follis (26.69mm, 10.42g, 6h) Struck AD 297-298. Aquileia mint Obverse: IMP DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, laureate head of Diocletian right Reverse: GENIO POPV-LI ROMANI, Genius, standing left, wearing modius with chlamys draped over left shoulder, holding patera in right hand and cornucopiae in left hand; AQP in exergue References: RIC VI 25a, RCV 12774 Excellent strike. Some toned silvering intact. 16 1 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayAg47 Posted June 17 · Member Share Posted June 17 People often accuse Diocletian of ending the Principate, which by then was merely a facade, much like how the Republic was just a facade by the time of Augustus. However, Diocletian was necessary to restore order and eliminate any opposition to the throne in order to maintain stability by not only being a military commander, but also a proper administrator, a role Rome had lacked for nearly a century. Aurelian came close to fulfilling this need, but his efforts were cut short by the treacherous Praetorians. Here're my recent additions, 13 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanxi Posted June 17 · Supporter Share Posted June 17 Some coins from Alexandria: Diocletianus Alexandria Billon-Tetradrachm Obv.: A K Γ OΥAΛ ΔIOKΛHTIANOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev.: LA (year 1, 284/285), Elpis standing left, flower in right, raising fold of chiton with left. Billon, 7.66g, 21mm Ref.: Milne 4750, Curtis 1980, BMC 2499, Geissen 3202, Dattari 5669, Kampmann/Ganschow 119.4 Diocletianus Alexandria Billon-Tetradrachm Obv.: A K Γ OΥAΛ ΔIOKΛHTIANOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev.: LA (year 1, 284/285), Eusebeia standing left, dropping incense on altar, Pyxis in raised left hand Billon, 7.32g, 18.6mm Ref.: Milne 4752, Geissen 3204, Curtis 1994, BMC 2509 Diocletianus Alexandria Billon-Tetradrachm Obv.: A K Γ OΥAΛ ΔIOKΛHTIANOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev.: LS left (year 6, 289/290), Dikaiosyne standing left, with scales and cornucopia, star right Billon, 7.69g, 18mm Ref.: Kampmann/Ganschow 119.61 var. 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expat Posted June 17 · Supporter Share Posted June 17 Alexandra tetradrachm Diocletian AD 284-305. Potin Tetradrachm (19.5mm, 7.38 g.) Egypt, Alexandria mint, dated RY 6 (AD 290/1). Obv. A K G OYA ΔIOKΛHTIANOC CEB, laureate, cuirassed bust right Rev. Eirene looking left, holding branch and scepter, SL (date) across field. No reverse legend. Scarce variety with unusual date order,SL instead of LS 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted June 17 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted June 17 A coin from after his reign in retirement, proclaiming Diocletian as Dominus Noster, a new term. Also, the reverse declares the "Providence of the Gods". Unfortunately it so happens that Maximian his colleague itched for power in his own retirement and ended up back on the throne, foiling the new tetrarchic system whilst Diocletian was planting cabbages with his own hands at his palace in Split, Croatia. Diocletian (A.D. 284-305) AE Follis Weight: 6.90 grams Diameter: 23 mm Mint: Follis struck at Alexandria (ALE Mintmark) between 308 and 310, after his abdication. Obverse: DN DIOCLETIANO BAEATISS, laurel-wreathed bust right wearing mantle, holding olive branch and holding mappa in the other hand. Reverse: PROVIDENTIA DEORVM, Providentia standing right, extending right hand to Quies, standing left, holding branch and sceptre. Reference: Sear 12922, RIC VI Alexandria 80 corr. 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Conduitt Posted June 17 · Supporter Share Posted June 17 I have a few of his nummi. Diocletian Nummus, 298-300 Londinium. Bronze, 10.65g. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; IMP DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG. Genius standing left, holding patera and cornucopia; GENIO POPVLI ROMANI (RIC VI, 6a). Diocletian Post-abdication Nummus, 305-307 Londinium. Bronze, 27mm, 10.51g. Laureate bust of Diocletian right, wearing imperial mantle, holding olive branch and mappa (napkin); D N DIOCLETIANO FELICISSIMO SEN AVG. Providentia standing facing, head right, receiving olive branch from Quies standing facing, head left, holding branch and sceptre; PROVIDENTIA DEORVM QVIES AVGG (RIC VI, 77a). 13 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantivs Posted June 17 · Member Share Posted June 17 (edited) large follis .. 29mm Edited June 17 by Constantivs 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ominus1 Posted June 17 · Supporter Share Posted June 17 ..i have one of him before his coin reform wid de otter 3 in the 1st 'tet'..(portrait side only) 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrbguy Posted June 20 · Member Share Posted June 20 Thanks for the heads up on the article, R.C. It is worth the time and trouble to archive it, which I did. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Julius Posted June 21 · Member Share Posted June 21 A few fun Diocletian coins from across the empire. 9 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtisimo Posted June 21 · Supporter Share Posted June 21 Great coins all. Here are a few of my Diocletian examples that I find special for various reasons. The first one is a sole rule example, the argentius is one of my favorite Roman silver coins and the Follis was from the collection of our much missed forum friend Jamesicus. Roman Empire Diocletian, AD 284-305 AE Antoninianus, Rome mint, 6th officina, struck AD 285-286 (sole reign issue) Dia.: 24.73 mm Wt.: 3.55 g Obv.: IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG. Diocletian radiate bust right. Rev.: IOVI CONSER-VAT AVG. Jupiter standing holding thunder bolt and scepter. XXIZ below. Ref.: RIC V:II 161 Ex Dr. Walter Neussel Collection, aquired from Auktion GM 92, Lot 365 (Nov. 1998), Dr. Busseo Peus Nachf. Auktion 420, Lot 6051 (Nov. 2017) Roman Empire Diocletian (AD 284-305) AR Argenteus, Ticinum mint, struck ca. AD 294 (20 mm, 2.92 g) Obv.: DIOCLETI-ANVS AVG; Laureate bust right Rev.: VIRTVS MILITVM; Tetrarchs sacrificing in front of fort with 6 turrents Ref.: RIC VI 14a Ex Naville Numismatics Auction 40, lot 782 (May 27, 2018) Roman Empire Diocletian, AD 284-305 AE Follis, Lugdunum Mint, 1st officina, struck ca. AD 295 Dia.: 28 mm Wt.: 8.5 g Obv.: IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; Laureate bust right Rev.: GENIO POP-VLI ROMANI: Genius standing left holding patera and cornucopia /LA in exergue Ref.: RIC VI 2a, Lugdunum Group I, Class II Ex James Pickering (Jamesicus) Collection with his hand written ticket; privately acquired in 2018 9 1 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambr0zie Posted June 21 · Member Share Posted June 21 In my task of obtaining as many emperors/empresses from the Roman Empire, Diocletian could not have missed the list. 26 mm, 9,57 g. Diocletian 284-305. Æ follis. Ticinum. 300-303. IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, head of Diocletian, laureate, right / SACRA MONET AVGG ET CAESS NOSTER, Moneta, draped, standing left, holding scales in right hand and cornucopiae in left hand Mintmark: -/-//PT•; Officina mark: T RIC VI Ticinum 45a. 10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted June 21 · Member Share Posted June 21 It looks like I'm late discovering this thread, nevertheless, I'll post 4 of my Diocletian folles ☺️. 10 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted June 22 · Member Share Posted June 22 One nummus I should have posted earlier but forgot is pictured below. It's a nummus struck at the London mint & a different type than the examples posted by John Conduitt & Orange Julius. Diocletian, AD 284-305 (struck 303-305). London Mint. Billon Nummus: 10.17 gm, 28 mm, 6 h. RIC 28a, C&T 3.01.005. Roma 72, lot 1403. Ex Brian Henry Grover Collection. I was sorry to see Roma Numismatics Limited go "belly-up" 🥹, I scored some nice coins from their auctions 😉. 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentinian Posted June 24 · Member Share Posted June 24 If you want to learn about coins of Diocletian and his colleagues, I have many web pages on coins of that era. Here is one on coins of Diocletian: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/tetrarchy/DiocletianCoins.html Here is a page of links to pages about coins of the First Tetrarchy. http://augustuscoins.com/ed/tetrarchy/extra.html For example, here is one on the follis types: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/tetrarchy/follistypes.html Here is one type from that page. The type is less common than most. Diocletian Follis. Silvered. 27 mm. 9.46 grams. IMP C DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG Laureate head right IOVI CO-NS CAES Jupiter standing left holding Victory on globe and long staff, with cloak over his left shoulder.h ALE in exergue. RIC VI Alexandria 41 "c. 304-5" This IOVI type was not issued for the Herculian rulers of the west. Again, here is the page of links to pages about coins of the First Tetrarchy. http://augustuscoins.com/ed/tetrarchy/extra.html Be prepared to spend some time looking around; there is a lot there. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Victor_Clark Posted June 24 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted June 24 (edited) Diocletian A.D. 285 Ӕ Antoninianus 21x23mm 3.7g IMP C VAL DIOCLETIANVS AVG; Radiate and cuirassed bust right. HERCVLI CONSERVAT; Hercules stg. r., holding club with lion’s skin, on rock. In ex. PXXIT RIC Vii Ticinum 215 Diocletian A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 23mm 3.5g IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right, slight drapery over left shoulder. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre. In ex. XXIB•O RIC V Siscia 263 coded coins from Siscia-- https://constantinethegreatcoins.com/CONSERVATOR/ Diocletian A.D. 290- 292 23mm 3.3g IMP C VAL DIOCLETIANVS AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right. IOVI CONSERVAT; Jupiter standing left, leaning on sceptre and holding thunderbolt, at foot, eagle, in background, two ensigns; S in left field. In ex. XXIT RIC Vii Ticinum 228 Diocletian A.D. 291 21x24mm 4.4gm IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right PAX AVGGG; Pax stg. l., holding olive branch and transverse sceptre; S-P across fields. In ex. MLXXI RIC Vii London 9 struck by Carausius Diocletian A.D. 294 AR Argenteus 18mm 3,3g DIOCLETIANVS AVG; laureate head right. VIRTVS MILITVM; four tetrarchs sacrificing over tripod before gate in six turreted enclosure. RIC VI Rome 27a Diocletian A.D. 295 AR Argenteus 19mm 3.3g DIOCLETIANVS AVG; laureate head right. VICTORIAE SARMATICAE; four turreted camp-gate, open, with doors thrown back; each turret surmounted by facing eagle. In ex. SMNΓ RIC VI Nicomedia 22a Diocletian A.D. 295- 296 Ӕ follis 25mm 9.6g IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; laureate head right. GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, modius on head, naked except for chlamys over left shoulder, holding patera and cornucopiae, eagle at feet to left; Γ in right. In ex. ALE RIC VI Alexandria 18a Struck under Domitius Domitianus Diocletian A.D. 296- 297 Ӕ follis 26mm 10.3g IMP DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; laureate head right, H under bust. GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, right holding patera, left cornucopiae; B in left, Γ in right. In ex. TR RIC VI Trier 171a This coin from Trier has an H under the bust referencing the family members of Hercules-- Maximianus and Constantius. RIC says it was issued when "Constantius' British campaign was successfully concluded" This is his campaign against Carausius and Allectus. It also commemorates the beginning of the campaign of Maximianus against the Quinquegentiani in North Africa. Diocletian A.D. 298- 299 25x28mm 8.6g IMP DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; laureate head right. FORTVNAE REDVCI AVGG NN; Fortuna seated left, holding rudder set on globe in her right hand and cornucopiae in her left; B in left, ✶in right. In ex. TR RIC VI Trier 230a Diocletian A.D. 298-303 27x29mm 9.3g IMP DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; Laureate head right. SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART; Carthage standing facing, head left, holding fruits in both hands. In ex. A RIC VI Carthage 29a/31a Edited June 24 by Victor_Clark 5 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejewk Posted June 24 · Member Share Posted June 24 Excuse the poor photo which I need to redo, but here's a Diocletian ant minted under Carausius when they were 'colleagues'. And here is a barbarous imitation of of this London mint coin: And thanks to yesterday's Naville auction, I have a nice Diocletian from Nicomedia on the way. The unreduced folles from Nicomedia have proved quite elusive to me for some time. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejewk Posted June 25 · Member Share Posted June 25 Here's a very budget snack from early this year, a Diocletian 'Unmarked Class 1' so called 'Invasion' coin likely produced on the north coast of Europe in preparation for Constantius' defeat of Allectus. I have a better Maximian and Constantius already, just need Gallerius for the set. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.