


© Trustees of the British Museum
Aureus - Diocletianus VIRTVS AVG
Gold | 4.5 g | - |
Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
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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 |
Numista | N#306148 |
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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.