Diocletian

The first page includes a couple of coins struck before Diocletian's massive coinage reform of 294. The second page includes coins from the main part of Diocletian's reign, the Tetrarchy proper, from 294–305. The final page includes coins struck after his abdication.

Pre-reform coinage
Coinage as Augustus
Post-abdication coinage
Biography...

204-257

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Diocletian

Rome, 285

obv.- IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG; Laureate draped cuirassed bust right

rev.- VICTORIA AVG; Victory walking left, holding wreath and palm

RIC V.ii Rom 188

18mm; 2.3g; denarius

Rare bronze denarius; this denomination was struck only at Rome, and infrequently at that. This coin is one of the very first coins from the whole Tetrarchy era; it was struck at the very beginning of Diocletian's reign, before Maximianus was appointed co-ruler. This coin represents, essentially, the last denarii struck in the empire. Rated R2 in RIC.

204-260

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Maximianus

Rome, 290

obv.- IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG; Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right

rev.- IOVI FVLGERATORI; Jupiter standing facing, head right, preparing to hurl thunderbolt; at feet to left, eagle standing left, head right; XXIΔ

RIC V.ii Rom 168

23mm; 4.04g; antoninianus

From the White Mountain collection.

204-047

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Diocletian

Siscia, 289-290

obv.- IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate, cuirasses, bust right

rev.- CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian and Jupiter, standing facing each other, sacrificing at altar, each holding a long scepter; A in field, •XXI•I• in ex

RIC V Sis 263ap

24mm; 4.5g; antoninianus

One of the "coded" series of antoniniani, with the word IOVI in the mintmark: I, O, BI. This is coin 1 in the series.

204-079

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Diocletian

Siscia, 289-290

obv.- IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate, cuirassed, bust right

rev.- CONSERVATOR AVGG; Jupiter standing left, holding scepter & Diocletian opposite, holding scepter, each holding patera & sacrificing at altar between them; Γ in field, •XXI•BI• in ex

RIC V Sis 263bk

23mm; 4.0g; antoninianus

One of the "coded" series of antoniniani, with the word IOVI in the mintmark: I, O, BI. This is coin 3 in the series.

104-673

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Carausius

Camulodunum, 290-292

obv.- IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P AVG; radiate cuirasssed bust right

rev.- PAX AVGGG; Pax standing, holding branch and sceptre; S|P in fields, C in ex

RIC V 19

23mm; 4.5g; antoninianus

This coin was minted by Carausius in Diocletian's name. The obverse is the usual type of the time, but with Diocletian's legend: IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P AVG. The reverse documents Carausius' desire for recognition: it shows a figure of Pax, the personification of Peace, with the legend PAX AVGGG, meaning "Peace of our Three Augusti"...in this case Carausius plus Diocletian and Maximianus. In this way Carausius demonstrated his recognition of the other two Augusti...and by implication, the assumption that they recognized him, or at least should.

104-579

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Diocletian

Nicomedia, 294-295

obv.- IMP CC VAL DIOCLETIANUS PF AUG; laureate bust right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left holding patera + cornucopia; SMN in ex

RIC VI Nic 27a; Fail 6

28mm; 9.5g; nummus

First issue from this mint. Since Diocletian was in residence at Nicomedia at the time, this coin has a good claim of being the original tetrarchic nummus.

204-261

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Diocletian

Nicomedia, 294-295

obv.- IMP CC VAL DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG; Laureate bust right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Naked Genius standing l. pouring liquid from patera and holding cornucopia; SMN in ex

RIC VI Nic 27a

29mm; 11.2g; nummus

First issue from Nicomedia mint.

104-735

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Diocletian

Alexandria, 294

obv.- IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; laur bust right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, holding patera in left hand, cornucopiae in right; A in field, ALE in ex

RIC VI Ale 14a; Fail 006

27mm; 10.3g; nummus

First issue from Alexandria

204-287

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Diocletian

Cyzius, 294-295

obv.- DIOCLETIANVS AVG; Laureate bust right

rev.- VICTORIA SARMATICA; four tetrarchs sacrificing in front of gateway of six turreted enclosure; CM in ex

RIC VI Cyz 5a; RSC 490b

18mm; 3.3g; argenteus

Rated R4 in RIC. This is among the very first argentii struck at the very beginning of Diocletian's monetary reforms. Argentii from Cyzicus are very uncommon; only this single issue was struck, and all the coins are rare.

104-808

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Diocletian

Cyzicus, 294

obv.- IMP CC VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG;

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; KV in ex

RIC VI Cyz 8a; Fail 006

29mm; 9.3g; nummus

First issue of bronze coins from Cyzicus; rated S in RIC, although I suspect it's rarer than that.

104-809

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Diocletian

Heraclea, 294

obv.- IMP CC VAL DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG; laureate bust right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius holding patera

RIC VI Her 12a; Fail 006

27mm; 7.8g; nummus

First issue from Heraclea

104-919

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Diocletian

Heraclea, 294

obv.- IMP CC VAL DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG; laureate bust right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius holding patera

RIC VI Her 12a; Fail 006

27mm; 13.2g; nummus

First issue from Heraclea

204-315

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Galerius

Heraclea, 294

obv.- IMP CC VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; laureate bust right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, emptying patera and holding cornucopiae; HA in ex

RIC VI Her 12a

28mm; 15.8g; nummus

Unusually thick, heavy flan; almost a double thick planchet

104-930

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck byMaximianus

Siscia, 294

obv.- IMP CC VAL DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG; laureate bust right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left wearing modius on head and chlamys over left shoulder, holding patera and cornucopia; S in left field, Γ in right field

RIC VI Sis 76a; Fail 006

27mm; 10g; nummus

Rated S in RIC

104-971

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Constantius I

Lugdunum, 295

obv.- IMP C DIOCLETIANVS AVG; laur bust right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius stg left holding cornucopia and patera; LA in ex

RIC VI Lug 2a

28mm; 9.9g; nummus

first issue from Lugdunum mint. Rated S in RIC

204-017

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Maximianus

Carthage, 296-298

obv.- DIOCLETIANVS AVG; laureate bust right

rev.- F ADVENT AVGG NN; Africa standing facing, head left, holding standard and tusk; at feet, lion standing left; bucranium to left; P

RIC VI Car 13a; RSC 64

18mm; 3.4g; argenteus

Rare; rated R3 in RIC

104-944

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Domitius Domitianus

Alexandria, 296

obv.- IMP C DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG; laureate bust right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing facing, head left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, liquors flowing from patera in right hand, cornucopiae in left; eagle * | B in field; ALE in exergue

RIC VI Ale 22a; Fail 007

26mm; 11.4g; nummus

Struck under the control of Domitius Domitianus

204-292

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Constantius I

London, 297

obv.- IMP C DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG; laureate cuirassed bust right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, holding patera & cornucopia; LON in ex

RIC VI Lon 1a

26mm; 10.3g; nummus

First issue from London mint; rated R in RIC

104-900

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Galerius

Heraclea, 296-297

obv.- IMP CC VAL DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG; laur bust right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left holding a patera and cornucopiae. HTB in ex

RIC VI Her 17a

26mm; 10.2g; nummus

104-892

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Galerius

Heraclea, 297-298

obv.- IMP CC VAL DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG; laur bust right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left holding a patera and cornucopiae. HTB in ex

RIC VI Her 19a

28mm; 9.1g; nummus

104-568

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Maximianus

Carthage, 298

obv.- IMP DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG; laur bust right

rev.- FELIX ADVENT AVGG NN; Africa stg facing, head l, in long drapery; holding standard r and elephant tusk l; PKA in ex, I in right field

RIC VI Car 25b; Fail 1

28mm; 8.7g; nummus

204-124

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Constantius I

Trier, 298-299

obv.- IMP DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG; laureate bust right

rev.- FORTVNAE REDVCCI AVGG NN; Fortuna seated left, holding rudder and cornucopia, B/* in fields, TRP in exergue

RIC VI Tr 230b

26mm; 8.9g; nummus

104-545

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Constantius I

Treveri, 298

obv.- IMP DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; laureate bust right

rev.- FORTVNAE REDVCI CAESS NN; Fortuna standing left holding anchor and cornucopiae, wheel at foot, TR in ex, A in field

RIC VI Tr 251; Fail 4

28mm; 10.6g; nummus

Rated S in RIC, RR in Failmezger

104-987

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Maximianus

Aquileia, 299

obv.- IMP DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; laur bust right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing facing, head left, holding patera and cornucopia; to left, saltire alter with flames; AQS in ex

RIC VI Aq 27a

28mm; 9.2g; nummus

104-988

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Maximianus

Rome, 299

obv.- IMP C DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG; laur bust right

rev.- GENIO POVLI ROMANI; Genius standing facing, head left, holding patera and cornucopia; P* in ex

RIC VI Rom 94a

28mm; 9.5g; nummus

104-749

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Maximianus

Siscia, 299

obv.- IMP DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG; l-b-r

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius with patera and cornucopiae standing; A in field; SIS in ex

RIC VI Sis 108a; Fail 006

27mm; 11.3g; nummus

104-840

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Maximianus

Carthage, 299-303

obv.- IMP DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG; laur bust r

rev.- SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART; Carthage stg left, holding fruits in both hands; A in ex

RIC VI Car 31a

28mm; 8.8g; nummus

104-931

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Maximianus

Aquileia, 300

obv.- IMP DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; laur bust right

rev.- SACR MONET AVGG ET CAESS NOSTR; Moneta standing left, holding scales and cornucopia, AQS in exergue

RIC VI Aq 29a

27mm; 10.1g; nummus

104-904

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Diocletian

Antioch, 300-301

obv.- IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; laur bust r

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, holding patera and cornucopia; K | IV in field; ANT in ex

RIC VI Ant 54a

26mm; 11.2g; nummus

104-721

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Diocletian

Antioch, 300-301

obv.- IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; l-b-r

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing facing, head left, emptying patera; K|Δ-V infields, ANT in ex

RIC VI Ant 54a; Fail 006

29mm; 10.6g; nummus

104-686

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Constantius I

Treveri, 300-301

obv.- IMP DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG; Laureate and cuirassed bust right

rev.- MONETA S AVGG ET CAESS NN; Moneta standing left, holding scales and cornucopiae; * in field, ATR in ex

RIC VI Tr 438a; Fail 028

28mm; 9.3g; nummus

104-851

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Maximianus

Aquileia, 301

obv.- IMP DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; laureate bust right

rev.- SACRA MONET AVGG ET CAESS NOSTR; Moneta staning left, holding scales right and cornucopiae left; V in field; AQS in ex

RIC VI Aq 31a

26mm; 10.4g; nummus

204-213

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Maximianus

Aquileia, 301

obv.- IMP DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG; Laureate bust right

rev.- SACRA MONET AVGG ET CAESS NOSTR; Moneta standing left holding scales and cornucopia; VI in fields; AQS in ex

RIC VI Aq 31a

26mm; 10.3g; nummus

204-317

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Maximianus

Ticinum, 300-303

obv.- IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; laureate bust right

rev.- SACRA MONET AVGG ET CAESS NOSTR; Moneta standing left holding scales & cornucopiae, ST• in ex

RIC VI Tic 45a

26mm; 9.1g; nummus

ex Elliot-Kent Collection

204-166

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Maximianus

Siscia, 301

obv.- IMP DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; Laureate bust right

rev.- SACRA MONET AVGG ET CAESS NOSTR; Moneta standing left, holding scales and cornucopia; SIS in exergue; * in left field, Γ in right field,

RIC VI Sis 134a

28mm; 9.4g; nummus

Ex Jacob Stein Collection. Displayed at Cincinnati Art Museum, 1994-2008, no. 179

104-903

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Constantius I

Lugdunum, 301-303

obv.- IMP DIOCLETIANVS P AVG; Laureate and cuirassed bust

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, holding patera and cornucopia, altar before; A in field; PLC in ex

RIC VI Lug 98a

29mm; 9.7g; nummus

listed as S in RIC

204-086

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Constantius I

London, 303

obv.- IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG; laureate cuirassed bust right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, modius on head, holding patera and cornucopia

RIC VI Lon 28a

28mm; 9.3g; nummus

204-319

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Diocletian

Nicomedia, 303-304

obv.- IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; laureate bust right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, holding patera and cornucopia; SMNB

RIC VI Nic 29a

28mm; 10.2g; nummus

ex Elliot-Kent Collection

104-805

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Maximianus

Treveri, 303-305

obv.- IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG; Laur., cuir. bust r.

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius, stg.l.; S|F in fields; PTR in ex

RIC VI Tr 576a; Fail 024

27mm; 8.6g; nummus

104-513

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Diocletian

Antioch, 304/305

obv.- IMP C DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG;

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing Left holding Patera + Cornucopia

RIC VI Ant 58a; Fail 25

29mm; 8.8g; nummus

204-235

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Diocletian

Antioch, 304-305

obv.- IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; Laureate head right

rev.- GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing facing, modius on head left, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, liquors flowing from patera in right hand, cornucopiae in left H in field; ANT• in ex

RIC VI Ant 58a

30mm; 8.4g; nummus

104-868

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Diocletian

Alexandria, 304-305

obv.- IMP CC VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG;

rev.- IOVI CONS CAES; Jupiter stg left holding Victory on globe; S-alpha-P in fields, ALE in ex

RIC VI 41 [var]; Fail 27

27mm; 9.6g; nummus

Not catalogued in RIC for this obverse legend. Mentioned in footnote as, "Voetter (see also Gerin Cat., Diocl., nos. 16-17) recorded the obverse IMP CC VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG with this rev.: too doubtful to be included here."

104-528

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Diocletian

Alexandria, 304-305

obv.- IMP C DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG;

rev.- IOVI CONS CAES; Jupiter stg left holding Victory on globe; S-Δ-P in fields, ALE in ex

RIC VI Ale 41; Fail 27

27mm; 10.2g; nummus

204-320

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Diocletian

Alexandria, 304-305

obv.- IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; laureate bust left

rev.- IOVI CONS CAES; Jupiter standing left, holding Victory on globe and scepter; S | A P in fields; ALE in ex

RIC VI Ale 42

26mm; 10.2g; nummus

ex Elliot-Kent Collection

104-437

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian augustus

—struck by Maximianus

Ticinum, 304-305

obv.- IMP C DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG; laureate bust right

rev.- SACRA MONET AVGG ET CAESS NOSTR; Moneta standing left holding scales + cornucopia; in ex, T T; star in field.

RIC VI Tic 47a; Fail 28, C 435, RCV 3538, Sear 3538.

27mm; 7.6g; nummus

104-832

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian sr aug

—struck by Constantius I

Treveri, 305-307

obv.- DN DIOCLETIANO BEATISSIMO SEN AVG; Laureate and mantled Diocletian right, holding olive branch in right hand and mappa in left

rev.- PROVIDENTIA DEORVM QVIES AVGG; Providentia standing right and extending hand to Quies standing left; S|F in fields, PTR in ex

RIC VI Tr 673a; Fail 052

28mm; 9.1g; nummus

204-014

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian sr aug

—struck by Constantine I

Londinium, 307

obv.- DN DIOCLETIANO PFS AVG; Imperial bust of Diocletian right, in mantle, holding olive branch and mappa

rev.- QVIES AVGG; Quies standing l, holding branch downwards, leaning on sceptre; PLN in ex

RIC VI Lon 98; Fail 096

26mm; 8.5g; nummus

104-782

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian sr aug

—struck by Constantine I

Lugdunum, 307

obv.- D N DIOCLETIANO P F S AVG; Consular bust right

rev.- QVIES - AVGG; Quies draped stg left, holding a branch in right hand and sceptre in the left hand; S|C in fields, PLG in ex

RIC VI Lug 225; Fail 097; Bastien 444

25mm; 6.4g; nummus

From Daniel Compas collection. Prov. MONNAIES XVI, 31 décembre 2002, n 676. Same dies as the specimen of the Cabinet of the medals of the Museum of History and Art of Lausanne, Bastien n 444a, pl. XLIX. It is the fourth listed specimen. Will take the number 444c in Supplement III of Bastien. This issue (emission 17), dated by Bastien to November-December 307, includes only small diameter and/or light weight nummi which are not otherwise attached to a normal issue. For this issue as a whole, we have 95 nummi in the corpus of Dr. Bastien in 1980, including only three nummi for Dioclétien with consular bust.

104-773

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian sr aug

—struck by Maximinus II

Antioch, 308

obv.- DN DIOCLETIANO BEATISSIMO SEN AVG; Laureate and mantled Diocletian right, holding olive branch in right hand and mappa in left

rev.- PROVIDENTIA DEORVM QVIES AVGG; Providentia standing right and extending hand to Quies standing left; crescent-Δ in fields, ANT in ex

RIC VI Ant 96

25mm; 6.9g; nummus

rated S in RIC

204-115

(click image to see larger picture)

Diocletian commem

—struck by Diocletian

Alexandria, 308

obv.- DN DIOCLETIANO BEATISS; laureate bust right, in imperial mantle

rev.- PROVIDENTIAE DEORVM; Providentia standing, extending hand to Quies standing, holding branch and leaning on sceptre, epsilon / KP in field, ALE in exergue

RIC VI Ale 109

mm; 7.0g; nummus

from T L Taylor Collection; ex Manton Associates, 1994

[biographical note goes here...]

Envisioned the Tetrarchy in terms of 20-year cycles, hence abdication in 305.

Diocletian (Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus)

What's New Heading