This impressive silver coin was minted during the reign of Emperor Diocletian at the imperial mint in Ticinum (modern Pavia, Italy). The argenteus was part of Diocletian's monetary reforms designed to stabilize the Roman economy after decades of crisis and inflation, representing a return to high-quality silver coinage.
Coin Description:
Front side: Laureate (bay-wreath crowned) head of Emperor Diocletian facing right, with the Latin inscription "DIOCLETI-ANVS AVG" (Diocletian Augustus)
Back side: Four emperors sacrificing over a tripod altar in front of a gate with six turrets and the inscription "VICTORIA-SARMAT" (Victory over the Sarmatians)
Technical Details:
Silver composition (weighing 2.47 grams)
Argenteus denomination (high-value silver coin introduced in Diocletian's reforms)
References: RIC-16a (R2), RSC-488d (R2 indicates rarity)
No certification mentioned
Date: Circa 295 CE
Condition: Not specified
Historical Significance:
This coin was struck during a pivotal period when Diocletian had restructured the Roman Empire with his Tetrarchy (rule of four). The reverse image depicts the four tetrarchs (Diocletian, Maximian, Constantius I, and Galerius) performing a sacrifice to celebrate their victory over the Sarmatians (nomadic people from modern Hungary/Romania region). The argenteus was part of Diocletian's ambitious economic reforms that attempted to combat inflation and restore stability to the empire after the tumultuous "Crisis of the Third Century."
This impressive silver coin was minted during the reign of Emperor Diocletian at the imperial mint in Ticinum (modern Pavia, Italy). The argenteus was part of Diocletian's monetary reforms designed to stabilize the Roman economy after decades of crisis and inflation, representing a return to high-quality silver coinage.
Coin Description:
Front side: Laureate (bay-wreath crowned) head of Emperor Diocletian facing right, with the Latin inscription "DIOCLETI-ANVS AVG" (Diocletian Augustus)
Back side: Four emperors sacrificing over a tripod altar in front of a gate with six turrets and the inscription "VICTORIA-SARMAT" (Victory over the Sarmatians)
Technical Details:
Silver composition (weighing 2.47 grams)
Argenteus denomination (high-value silver coin introduced in Diocletian's reforms)
References: RIC-16a (R2), RSC-488d (R2 indicates rarity)
No certification mentioned
Date: Circa 295 CE
Condition: Not specified
Historical Significance:
This coin was struck during a pivotal period when Diocletian had restructured the Roman Empire with his Tetrarchy (rule of four). The reverse image depicts the four tetrarchs (Diocletian, Maximian, Constantius I, and Galerius) performing a sacrifice to celebrate their victory over the Sarmatians (nomadic people from modern Hungary/Romania region). The argenteus was part of Diocletian's ambitious economic reforms that attempted to combat inflation and restore stability to the empire after the tumultuous "Crisis of the Third Century."
