Unique Diocletion Medallion
753. Diocletian Gilt Æ Medallion. Rome, 287 AD. IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust left / VICTORIA AVGG, two victories holding shield. RIC-. 14.22g, 27mm, 1h. Unique. Good Very Fine. Much of the original gold plating remaining.
5,000
Ex Tkalec Auction, September 2008, lot 380.
Extremely Rare Domitius Domitianus Follis
754. Domitius Domitianus Æ Follis. Alexandria, 295-296 AD. IMP C L DOMITIVS DOMITIANVS AVG, laureate bust right / GENIO POPVLI ROMANI, Genius of the Roman people standing left, pouring liquid from patera and holding cornucopiae, eagle with wings spread standing at his feet, G in right field; ALE in ex. RIC 20; C. 1. 8.40g, 27mm, 1h. Extremely Rare. Good Very Fine.
1,500
Stationed in an Egypt that was overtaxed and burdened with considerable administrative corruption, Domitian Domitianus took the purple in an effort to ameliorate the lot of the people. He instituted agricultural reforms and repairs to the decrepit irrigation channels, undertook a reform of the local coinage in order to improve commerce, and strengthened the province militarily. Diocletian’s response was swift and brutual. He invaded Egypt, but despite being heavily outnumbered, Domitianus was able to withstand Diocletian’s advance for months, and although by December of 297 Diocletian had control of Egypt, Alexandria refused to capitulate. Domitianus’ ultimate fate is unrecorded, however he was likely killed or assassinated. In his fury, Diocletian authorised a general sack of the city and a massacre of the population.
A Sharp And Lustrous Aureus Of Maximianus
755. Maximianus AV Aureus. Nicomedia, 294 AD. MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, laureate bust right / HERCVLI VICTORI, Hercules standing facing, head right, holding club and apples, lion skin draped over left shoulder; SMN in ex. RIC 3; C. 294. 5.36g, 20mm, 1h. Very Rare – R4. Good Extremely Fine.
10,000
Given the title ‘Herculius’ by Diocletian, Maximianus’ role was always that of the military brawn to Diocletian’s stategic planning. We thus see a rich and varied series of depictions of Hercules on the coinage of Maximian. Here we see Hercules after the completion of his eleventh labour - to steal the apples from the garden of the Hesperides.
756. Maximianus AR Argenteus. Siscia, 294 AD. MAXIMIANVS AVG, laureate bust right / VIRTVS MILITVM, four tetrarchs sacrificing over tripod before camp gate with eight turrets. RIC 32b; RSC 625f. 3.09g, 19mm. Rare. Good Extremely Fine.
207
500