Aureus - Diocletianus (VIRTVS AVG) (284-294) front Aureus - Diocletianus (VIRTVS AVG) (284-294) back
Aureus - Diocletianus (VIRTVS AVG) (284-294) photo
© Trustees of the British Museum

Aureus - Diocletianus VIRTVS AVG

 
Gold 4.5 g -
Description
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
284-294
Value
Aureus (25⁄2)
Currency
Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301)
Composition
Gold
Weight
4.5 g
Shape
Round (irregular)
Technique
Hammered
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-05
References
Numista
N#306148
Rarity index
100%

Reverse

Soldier, draped, cuirassed, standing left, leaning on shield with right hand and holding spear in left hand.

Script: Latin

Lettering: VIRTVS AVG

Translation:
Virtus Augusti.
Courage of the emperor.

Comment

Example of this type:
Trustees of the British Museum

Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)

Interesting fact

One interesting fact about the Aureus - Diocletianus (VIRTVS AVG) 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 number of reforms aimed at stabilizing the empire's economy and military. These reforms included the introduction of a new system of taxation, the creation of a centralized bureaucracy, and the establishment of a professional army. Despite these efforts, the Roman Empire continued to decline, and the coinage of this period reflects the economic and political instability of the time.