Argenteus (Coin) Portraying Emperor Diocletian
- Medium
- Silver
- Dimensions
- Diam.: 1.7 cm (11/16 in.)
- Genre
- coin
- Museum
- Art Institute of Chicago
Tags
silverportraitcoininorganic materialmanancient artnonferrous metaltetrarchicroman (ancient, style or period)metal
About
The front (obverse) of this coin portrays the head of emperor Diocletian, laureate and facing to the right. The back (reverse) depicts a laurel wreath and inscription. X C V I on the back refers to the reformed silver coinage after 295 CE. The inscription is for the number "96," meaning 96 silver coins to the pound was Diocletian's reformed currency. However, it was often struck well under that weight.
