Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 57 30 May 2019
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Diocletian Gilded Æ Medallion. Rome, AD 287. IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, radiate, and mantled bust left, holding eagle-tipped sceptre / VICTORIA AVGG, two Victories attaching shield to palm tree between them. Unpublished in the standard references. 14.22g, 27mm, 1h.
Good Very Fine; much of the original gold plating remaining. Unique.
Ex A. Tkalec, 8 September 2008, lot 380.
Struck in AD 287, this coin commemorates the co-consulship of Diocletian and Maximian. The joint consulship was essentially a required formality, since Maximian had been elevated from the rank of Caesar to that of Augustus the year before by Diocletian in order to assist in better governing the empire and responding to military threats (and in particular to deal with the rebel Carausius on an equal footing, Carausius having proclaimed himself Augustus when he caused the secession of Britain and northern Gaul).
However it was also necessary as a public display of unity between the two Augusti, which is also borne out on the coins issued in their names at this time. Despite having been elevated to Caesar in 285, no coinage was struck for Maximian until he had been made co-Augustus in 286. Thereafter the imperial mints struck parallel issues for both emperors.
The consulships of Diocletian and Maximian were marked on issues of aurei (rare heavy aurei are attested for both colleagues from the Antioch mint, which are considered ceremonial in nature and perhaps part of a donative) and bronze medallions, which no doubt followed the usual pattern of presentation pieces produced as gifts for court officials, or visiting dignitaries.
The obverse of this coin portrays Diocletian in his consular regalia: mantled, and holding a sceptre topped with the Roman imperial eagle. The victory alluded to on the reverse of the coin probably represents the achievements in 285/6 of his right hand man Maximian in mounting successful raids on the Burgundian and Alemanni tribes of the Moselle-Vosges region, the Heruli, and the Chaibones, all of whom he defeated and whose lands he laid waste. Maximian struck deep into their territories, defeating their armies in battle and reducing them through famine and disease. By the winter of 287 he had cleared the Rhinelands of Germanic tribesmen, leading his panegyrist to declare "All that I see beyond the Rhine is Roman."
Good Very Fine; much of the original gold plating remaining. Unique.
Ex A. Tkalec, 8 September 2008, lot 380.
Struck in AD 287, this coin commemorates the co-consulship of Diocletian and Maximian. The joint consulship was essentially a required formality, since Maximian had been elevated from the rank of Caesar to that of Augustus the year before by Diocletian in order to assist in better governing the empire and responding to military threats (and in particular to deal with the rebel Carausius on an equal footing, Carausius having proclaimed himself Augustus when he caused the secession of Britain and northern Gaul).
However it was also necessary as a public display of unity between the two Augusti, which is also borne out on the coins issued in their names at this time. Despite having been elevated to Caesar in 285, no coinage was struck for Maximian until he had been made co-Augustus in 286. Thereafter the imperial mints struck parallel issues for both emperors.
The consulships of Diocletian and Maximian were marked on issues of aurei (rare heavy aurei are attested for both colleagues from the Antioch mint, which are considered ceremonial in nature and perhaps part of a donative) and bronze medallions, which no doubt followed the usual pattern of presentation pieces produced as gifts for court officials, or visiting dignitaries.
The obverse of this coin portrays Diocletian in his consular regalia: mantled, and holding a sceptre topped with the Roman imperial eagle. The victory alluded to on the reverse of the coin probably represents the achievements in 285/6 of his right hand man Maximian in mounting successful raids on the Burgundian and Alemanni tribes of the Moselle-Vosges region, the Heruli, and the Chaibones, all of whom he defeated and whose lands he laid waste. Maximian struck deep into their territories, defeating their armies in battle and reducing them through famine and disease. By the winter of 287 he had cleared the Rhinelands of Germanic tribesmen, leading his panegyrist to declare "All that I see beyond the Rhine is Roman."