Diocletian. AD 284-305. Æ Heavy Radiate fraction (25mm, 4.95 g, 6h). Cyzicus mint, 3rd(?) officina. Struck circa AD 295-296. Fine.

Electronic Auction 541
Lot: 588. Estimated: $ 100

Roman Imperial, Bronze

Sold For $ 475. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Diocletian. AD 284-305. Æ Heavy Radiate fraction (25mm, 4.95 g, 6h). Cyzicus mint, 3rd(?) officina. Struck circa AD 295-296. Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Emperor standing right, holding scepter and receiving Victory on globe from Jupiter standing left, holding scepter; KΓ(?)//•. RIC VI – (but cf. 13 (Maximianus) for similar). Rough dark green surfaces, old corrosion. Fine. Extremely rare.

Diocletian’s currency reform completely remade the Roman silver and bronze denominations. A bevy of new denominations were created to replace the now completely debased antoniniani, including a full silver ‘argenteus,’ a billion ‘follis’ along with corresponding fractions, as well as bronze ‘radiate’ and ‘laureate’ fractions. The earliest radiate issues can be considered prototypes, as they were struck to a heavier standard and on a heavier flan. They would soon be replaced with a smaller and lighter ‘radiate’ fraction.

Closing Date and Time: 28 June 2023 at 13:15:40 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.