Emperors of Rome. Diocletian 222-235 AD. 222 AD. AV-Aureus 5.47 g. Cyzicus Mint.
Obverse: DIOCLE – TIANVS AVG Laureate head r.
Reverse: Rev. VIRTV – S A – VGG NN Emperor seated on throne r., holding sceptre and globe, crowned by Victory standing behind him; at his feet, captive seated with hands tied behind back.
References: RIC 2. C –. Lukanc p. 180, 36 and Cyzicus 1. Baldwin Brett, NC 1933, pl. XXII, 8 (these dies). Calicó 4580 (this coin). Biaggi 1761 (this coin); A.J. Evans, Numismatic Chronicles, 1930, n°. 13 (1er ex.), p. 263, pl. XVII, 2 (this coin).
Provenance: Privately purchased from Harmer’s of London, January 3, 2021; ex Numismatica Ars Classica 34, November 21, 2006, lot 200; Numismatica Ars Classica, 23, March 19, 2002, lot 1657; Leo Biaggi de Blasys Collection, 1761; Gerhard Hirsch 3, 1954, lot 1287; Münzhandlung Basel 8, March 22, 1937, lot 1040; Sir Arthur John Evans Collection, sold by Ars Classica XVII, October 3, 1934, lot 1823; Bruto Liberati Collection, P.&P. Santamaria 14, January 16, 1924, lot 619. From the Arras Hoard of 1922.
Description: The last of the so-called “barracks emperors,” Diocletian (born Diocles), rose from humble beginnings from a family of low status in Dalmatia. Accounts of the first four decades of Diocletian’s life are sparse and unreliable, but we can be certain that he was an elite cavalry commander in the army of the Emperor Carus by 282/283. Diocletian is known to have participated with Carus and his son Numerian in his Persian campaigns. Following Carus’ death, his son’s Numerian (in the East) and Carinus (in the West) ascended to the purple. Numerian, however, would die shortly after his father, and the remaining commanders determined to proclaim Diocletian emperor (it was at this time, he changed his name to Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus.
Diocletian immediately repudiated Carinus’ government, and began a campaign west, eventually meeting Carinus’ forces in the Balkans. Despite having superior numbers, Carinus was plagued by defections and ill-will, and was ultimately murdered by his own men. Diocletian was thereafter named Emperor of East and West. Diocletian’s most lasting impact would be the implementation of the Tetrarchy in 293, a system under which 4 rulers (two Augusti, and two subordinate Caesars) would share rule, and thus, in theory, more capably respond to issues in the various sub-sections of the unwieldy Empire. While this system quickly dissolved following Diocletian’s abdication in 305 AD, Diocletian’s (and his fellow tetrarch’s rule) would be remembered as one of piece, and stability, firmly bringing an end to the Crisis of the Third Century. Diocletian would ultimately retire to his eponymous Palace (the ruins of which may be viewed in Split, Croatia), where he died (perhaps by suicide) in late 311 AD, having seen the fall of his Tetrarchy at the hands of less capable, more avaricious men.
The present aureus likely commemorates some of Tetrarchy’s military victories (such as those over the Sarmatians in 294).
Reverse: Rev. VIRTV – S A – VGG NN Emperor seated on throne r., holding sceptre and globe, crowned by Victory standing behind him; at his feet, captive seated with hands tied behind back.
References: RIC 2. C –. Lukanc p. 180, 36 and Cyzicus 1. Baldwin Brett, NC 1933, pl. XXII, 8 (these dies). Calicó 4580 (this coin). Biaggi 1761 (this coin); A.J. Evans, Numismatic Chronicles, 1930, n°. 13 (1er ex.), p. 263, pl. XVII, 2 (this coin).
Provenance: Privately purchased from Harmer’s of London, January 3, 2021; ex Numismatica Ars Classica 34, November 21, 2006, lot 200; Numismatica Ars Classica, 23, March 19, 2002, lot 1657; Leo Biaggi de Blasys Collection, 1761; Gerhard Hirsch 3, 1954, lot 1287; Münzhandlung Basel 8, March 22, 1937, lot 1040; Sir Arthur John Evans Collection, sold by Ars Classica XVII, October 3, 1934, lot 1823; Bruto Liberati Collection, P.&P. Santamaria 14, January 16, 1924, lot 619. From the Arras Hoard of 1922.
Description: The last of the so-called “barracks emperors,” Diocletian (born Diocles), rose from humble beginnings from a family of low status in Dalmatia. Accounts of the first four decades of Diocletian’s life are sparse and unreliable, but we can be certain that he was an elite cavalry commander in the army of the Emperor Carus by 282/283. Diocletian is known to have participated with Carus and his son Numerian in his Persian campaigns. Following Carus’ death, his son’s Numerian (in the East) and Carinus (in the West) ascended to the purple. Numerian, however, would die shortly after his father, and the remaining commanders determined to proclaim Diocletian emperor (it was at this time, he changed his name to Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus.
Diocletian immediately repudiated Carinus’ government, and began a campaign west, eventually meeting Carinus’ forces in the Balkans. Despite having superior numbers, Carinus was plagued by defections and ill-will, and was ultimately murdered by his own men. Diocletian was thereafter named Emperor of East and West. Diocletian’s most lasting impact would be the implementation of the Tetrarchy in 293, a system under which 4 rulers (two Augusti, and two subordinate Caesars) would share rule, and thus, in theory, more capably respond to issues in the various sub-sections of the unwieldy Empire. While this system quickly dissolved following Diocletian’s abdication in 305 AD, Diocletian’s (and his fellow tetrarch’s rule) would be remembered as one of piece, and stability, firmly bringing an end to the Crisis of the Third Century. Diocletian would ultimately retire to his eponymous Palace (the ruins of which may be viewed in Split, Croatia), where he died (perhaps by suicide) in late 311 AD, having seen the fall of his Tetrarchy at the hands of less capable, more avaricious men.
The present aureus likely commemorates some of Tetrarchy’s military victories (such as those over the Sarmatians in 294).