© American Numismatic Society (ANS)
© American Numismatic Society (ANS)
Aureus - Diocletianus COS III
| Gold | 5.3 g | 20 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Diocletian (Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus) (284-305) Maximian Herculius (Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus) (286-305) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 287-290 |
| Value | Aureus (25⁄2) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Gold |
| Weight | 5.3 g |
| Diameter | 20 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#306122 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Diocletian, draped, cuirassed, riding right, raising right hand.
Script: Latin
Lettering: COS III
Translation:
Consul Tertium.
Consul for the third time.
Comment
Mass varies: 5.22–5.4 g;Example of this type:
American Numismatic Society (ANS)
Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Aureus - Diocletianus (COS III) coin is that it was issued during a time of significant economic and political change in the Roman Empire. The coin was minted during the reign of Diocletian, who introduced a series of economic reforms aimed at addressing inflation and stabilizing the empire's economy. The Aureus was a key component of these reforms, as it was introduced as a new standardized gold coin that replaced the earlier Aureus minted by previous emperors. The coin's weight and purity were carefully controlled, and it was used as a means of payment for high-value transactions, such as taxes and trade. The fact that the Aureus - Diocletianus (COS III) coin was made of gold and weighed 5.3 grams speaks to the attention to detail and precision that the Roman Empire put into the production of its currency during this time.
