Sale: Triton VIII, Lot: 1200. Estimate $3000.  Closing Date: Monday, 10 January 2005.  Sold For $5750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

DIOCLETIAN. 284-305 AD. AV Pre-Reform Heavy Aureus (5.43 gm, 6h). Rome mint. Struck 286 AD. IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right / IOVI CO-NSER-VAT AVGG, Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt in right hand and sceptre in left. RIC V 137; Depeyrot 2B/1; Pink, Goldprägung, pg. 16; Hunter -; DOC 1; Calicó 4466 (this coin illustrated). Near EF, small bump in exergue on reverse. ($3000)

From the Garth R. Drewry Collection. Ex McLendon Collection (Christie's New York, 12 June 1993), lot 194.

Although the radiate crown typically denotes a binio (1 1/2 denomination) or double denomination, the weights of the aurei of this type are nearly identical to those that are laureate. Thus, RIC and others consider these to be aurei. Actual double aurei of Diocletian are known (cf. Triton IV, lot 676, for an unpublished double aureus with an appropriate weight of 9.20 grams). The reason for the radiate crown on this issue remains uncertain.