Diocletian, AD 284-305. Gold Pre-reform Aureus (4.62 g) minted at Cyzicus, c. AD 290-292. Laureate, cuirassed and draped bust right of Diocletian. Reverse: Mars advancing right, holding spear and shield. RIC 300 [as Rare]; cf. C. 319. Slight bend to flan. Lustrous, Superb Extremely Fine. Around AD 293 or a little later, Diocletian overhauled the interrelationship of denominations by introducing a new silver denarius called the argenteus and the silver-washed bronze follis. There were other alterations, one of the most far-reaching being the addition of mintmarks placed in the exergue, and control letters or issue marks in the field. Estimated Value $8,000 - 9,000. Categories: Roman Imperial Coinage
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