The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
Enlarge  
  
Reverse
Enlarge  

Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC MS Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5
Grade Comment: silvering
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

In 291 AD, co-Augusti Diocletian and Maximian met in Milan after an elaborate tour through northern Italy. The pair discussed the state of their realms and the growing complexity of their stations. In the aftermath, broad changes were implemented profoundly impacting the Roman Empire’s future. In 293 AD, co-Augusti Diocletian and Maximian each named a Caesar, creating a new ruling structure called the Tetrarachy. Each ruler exercised dominion over a designated geographical area. Maximian and his Caesar, Constantius I, divided the western provinces, while Diocletian and his Caesar, Galerius, split rule over the eastern provinces. Specifically in the east, Diocletian retained control over the Asian provinces, leaving Galerius the provinces east of Italy and west of Asia Minor. In addition to governmental reorganization, Diocletian also enacted coinage reforms. To make way for the new coin weights and precious metal content, he ordered a massive recall and melting of older coins, and doubled the number of the Empire’s mints. Starting in 294 AD, he completed overhauled the coinage system, which continued to degenerate despite Aurelian’s reforms two decades earlier. The purity and weight of the gold aureus was standardized, and introduced was a new high-purity silver coin, the argenteus. He also reformed bronze coinage, referred to as the follis or nummus, increasing their size and weight, and including 2-3% silver. The current coin is an example of Diocletian’s post-reform nummus; it was struck in the last years of the third century AD in Cyzicus. At the time, all four leaders of the Empire stuck nummi looking very similar to this type. Consistent for the period, Diocletian’s obverse bust appears relatively wide and square, with orderly, detailed coiffure and beard. The verso depicts Genius, holding a patera and a cornucopia. These particular motifs were popular with Diocletian’s imperial colleagues (three other examples – Maximian, Constantius, and Galerius – are also included in this NGC Ancients custom set). The numismatic mimicry was intentional, probably an advertisement of Tetrarchal harmony. This was important considering that conflict existed in every corner of the Empire. In Diocletian’s case, his foes included the Sarmatians and the Sassanids. By the turn of the 3rd century AD, things turned relatively peaceful, and Diocletian focused on more domestic reforms. For example, he reorganized the eastern provinces, responding to the recent revolts and invasions. Another, ambitious example was the Edict of Prices, setting maximum fees for many goods and services. The intent was to stabilize the economy and control runaway inflation. Ultimately, these attempts failed since economic forces proved stronger than legislative ones (a recurring lesson in history). Not all of Dioceltian’s reforms harbored benign intent. In 302 AD, Diocletian wintered in Nicomedia with his Caesar Galerius, who lobbied for persecution of Christians. The cautious Diocletian queried the oracle of Apollo at Miletus on the matter, and he was advised that the Christians were causing false oracles. The flummoxed Diocletian had fallen prey to the liar paradox, first postulated in Miletus eight centuries earlier by the philosopher Eubilides: “A man says that he is lying: is what he says true or false?” In any case, Diocletian interpreted the response such that he signed the Edict of Persecution against the Christians in 303 AD. This document, and several others that followed afterwards, called for banning of worship, burning of scriptures, destruction of churches, and imprisonment of priests (although freedom could be achieved at the price of a pagan sacrifice). Diocletian’s reign was remarkable in that he reorganized nearly every aspect of Roman society from its politics to economics. Satisfied with his implementations and achievements, and noting his own failing health, Diocletian enacted perhaps his boldest move of all: a voluntarily retirement. In 305 AD, Augustus Diocletian abdicated, and in typical, punctilious fashion also compelled his co-Augustus Maximian to do the same. This intentional transfer of the purple (to Constantine and Galerius) was unprecedented in the history of the Roman Empire. Diocletian lived the rest of his life in relative peace, enjoying the Adriatic from his grand seaside palace. He periodically engaged in imperial communications, and once was roused into an imperial conference (in Carnuntum, at which he absolutely refused to make an imperial comeback, instead supporting a continued Tetrarchy dominated by Galerius). Diocletian died of natural causes several years later, defying the trend set by Roman Emperors the previous century. Oven his two decade reign - a feat last accomplished by Antonius Pius – Diocletian achieved stability and loyalty throughout an Empire that previously suffered from volatility and insurrection. Perhaps the greatest testament to Dioceltian’s leadership was its aftermath: rapid degeneration into jealousy, discord, and military conflict. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Diocletian, AD 284-305, Æ Follis (27mm, 9.19 g, 1h), Cyzicus mint, 3rd officina, Struck circa AD 297-299, NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Laureate head right, IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, Reverse: Genius standing left, holding patera and cornucopia, GENIO POPV-LI ROMANI, References: KΓ. RIC VI 12a.

To follow or send a message to this user,
please log in