Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 125 23-24 Jun 2021
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Diocletian, 284 – 305.
Aureus 289–290, AV 5.11 g. DIOCLETIA – NVS P F AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. IOVI FVL – GE – RAT – ORI Jupiter standing l., head turned back, hurling thunderbolt at kneeling Titan; in exergue, P R. C 285. RIC 146. Depeyrot 6/8. Lukanc 15. Calicó 4531 (these dies).
An extraordinary portrait and a very interesting reverse composition. Good extremely fine
Ex Harlan J. Berk 89, 1998, 15; Ira & Larry Goldberg 72, 2013, Hunter, 4207 and Maison Palombo 12, 2013, 87 sales.
The reverse of this aureus of Rome, like so many of the period 293-294, presents a novel type of historical interest. The need for fresh propaganda ran high at this moment, for the emperors Diocletian and Maximian had each selected a junior colleague to help them rule their vast territories. In the West, Maximian had chosen his praetorian prefect Constantius, who in recent years had proven to be loyal and effective. One goal of this imperial expansion was to mount a new offensive against Carausius, the rebel who since 286/7 had ruled Britain and parts of coastal Gaul.
To meet the needs of this great effort, a temporary mint was established at Iantinum (Meaux) and the Trier mint resumed production after about 20 years of inactivity. This coin type describes Jupiter, the patron of Diocletian, as fulgerator ("thunderbolt hurler") and shows him aiming his bolt at an anguipede, on whose head Jupiter places his hand. This creature beseeches Jupiter for mercy, which the god does not seem prepared to grant. Interestingly, a passage in the panegyric of 291 makes reference to Jupiter (i.e. Diocletian) and his battle with these creatures (Pan. Lat. XI(3) 3.4). The creature is called a giant by Cohen and a Titan by Pink, and Bastien suggests it is none other than Typhoeus (Typhon), the most formidable giant defeated by Zeus.
Based on the events of the era, the creature can only represent Carausius, and Zeus the emperor Diocletian. The renewed efforts against Carausius were successful: in 293 Constantius was able to besiege and take the Gallic port city of Boulogne, thus starving the rebel of his main base on the continent. Perhaps because of that critical loss, upon returning to Britain Carausius was murdered by his successor, Allectus. Though the Romano-British Empire was still intact in Britain, its time would soon expire as fresh preparations were being made for a full-scale invasion of the island that would take place in 296.
Aureus 289–290, AV 5.11 g. DIOCLETIA – NVS P F AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. IOVI FVL – GE – RAT – ORI Jupiter standing l., head turned back, hurling thunderbolt at kneeling Titan; in exergue, P R. C 285. RIC 146. Depeyrot 6/8. Lukanc 15. Calicó 4531 (these dies).
An extraordinary portrait and a very interesting reverse composition. Good extremely fine
Ex Harlan J. Berk 89, 1998, 15; Ira & Larry Goldberg 72, 2013, Hunter, 4207 and Maison Palombo 12, 2013, 87 sales.
The reverse of this aureus of Rome, like so many of the period 293-294, presents a novel type of historical interest. The need for fresh propaganda ran high at this moment, for the emperors Diocletian and Maximian had each selected a junior colleague to help them rule their vast territories. In the West, Maximian had chosen his praetorian prefect Constantius, who in recent years had proven to be loyal and effective. One goal of this imperial expansion was to mount a new offensive against Carausius, the rebel who since 286/7 had ruled Britain and parts of coastal Gaul.
To meet the needs of this great effort, a temporary mint was established at Iantinum (Meaux) and the Trier mint resumed production after about 20 years of inactivity. This coin type describes Jupiter, the patron of Diocletian, as fulgerator ("thunderbolt hurler") and shows him aiming his bolt at an anguipede, on whose head Jupiter places his hand. This creature beseeches Jupiter for mercy, which the god does not seem prepared to grant. Interestingly, a passage in the panegyric of 291 makes reference to Jupiter (i.e. Diocletian) and his battle with these creatures (Pan. Lat. XI(3) 3.4). The creature is called a giant by Cohen and a Titan by Pink, and Bastien suggests it is none other than Typhoeus (Typhon), the most formidable giant defeated by Zeus.
Based on the events of the era, the creature can only represent Carausius, and Zeus the emperor Diocletian. The renewed efforts against Carausius were successful: in 293 Constantius was able to besiege and take the Gallic port city of Boulogne, thus starving the rebel of his main base on the continent. Perhaps because of that critical loss, upon returning to Britain Carausius was murdered by his successor, Allectus. Though the Romano-British Empire was still intact in Britain, its time would soon expire as fresh preparations were being made for a full-scale invasion of the island that would take place in 296.