Augustus A.D. 284-305
Bronze Nummus
Treir mint, A.D. 301-305
Obv: IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG
Rev: GENIO POPV-LI ROMANI - Genius, modius on head, naked but for chlamys hanging from shoulder, holding patera and cornucopiae
PTR in exergue; S in left field, F in right
RIC 582a
26mm, 7.7g.
Diocletian was declared emperor after the death of Numerian. He initiated some of the most profound governmental reforms in the Empire's history, dividing it into four regions with four separate leaders--two Augusti (senior emperors) and two Caesars (junior emperors). His coinage reform of A.D. 294 abolished provincial coinage and ensured uniform denominations throughout the Empire. In A.D. 305 he retired peacefully and spent the rest of his life quietly growing cabbages on his estate on the Dalmatian Coast. A hard-working, conscientious emperor, he is remembered today as one of the very few Emperors to voluntarily give up power, and as the last emperor to initiate persecution of the Christians.
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