Owner Comments:
As the third century AD closed, Rome was turning the corner from that epoch’s Great Crisis. But by no means was Rome yet fully recovered. For that, the responsibility fell to Augustus Diocletian, who realized he couldn't succeed by himself. Looking for help, he enacted a radical reform: the diarchy. But even the “rule of two” had its limitations, especially considering the vastness and complexity of the Empire.
On this topic, Diocletian and Maximian met in Milan after an elaborate northern Italian tour. The co-Augusti discussed the growing complexity of their stations and agreed that the Empire had become too vast for two men to manage. In 293 AD, they formalized the Tetrarchy ("Rule of Four"). Each Augustus named a junior Caesar to share the burden. Maximian and his Caesar, Constantius I, took the West; Diocletian and his Caesar, Galerius, governed over the East. Specifically, Diocletian retained personal control over the wealthy Asian provinces, leaving Galerius to guard the Danube frontier.
Alongside this political restructuring came a massive economic overhaul. In 294 AD, Diocletian ordered a recall of the debased currency that had plagued the Crisis era. He standardized the gold aureus, introduced a high-purity silver argenteus, and created a new, large bronze coin containing roughly 2-3% silver, the nummus.
The current coin is mint-state example of a post-reform nummus struck in Cyzicus (c. 297-299 AD). Unlike the pre-reform copper coins, such as the preceding coin in this collection, Diocletian’s bust here is blocky, detached, and authoritarian — a face not of a man, but of an institution. The reverse depicts Genius holding a patera and cornucopia with the legend GENIO POPVLI ROMANI ("To the Genius of the Roman People"). This specific design was struck by all four Tetrarchs simultaneously. This numismatic mimicry was masterful propaganda: advertisement of total harmony in a world saved from the brink of chaos.
Diocletian’s reforms extended beyond coins. He reorganized the provinces to tighten administrative control and issued the famous Edict on Maximum Prices (301 AD) to curb runaway inflation. Diocletian's other financial reforms include revision of the tax codes and making critical professions hereditary.
In 302 AD while wintering in Nicomedia, Diocletian was pressured by his Caesar, Galerius, to crack down on the rising Christian population. Cautious by nature, Diocletian sent an emissary to the Oracle of Apollo near Miletus. The Oracle replied that "the just on earth" were preventing the truth from being spoken. It appears the flummoxed Emperor fell prey a Liar Paradox akin to the original posed centuries ago by Milesian philosophers:
“A man says that he is lying: is what he says true or false?” Interpreting the "just" as the Christians causing false oracles, Diocletian signed the Edict of Persecution in 303 AD. This launched the harassment of Christians whose full extent is uncertain, but enough to be named the "Great Persecution."
Satisfied with his reorganization of politics, economics, and religion, and noting his own failing health, Diocletian then enacted his boldest new move of all: Retirement. In 305 AD, he became the first Roman Emperor to voluntarily abdicate, compelling Maximian to do the same. He lived out his days in his seaside palace at Split (modern Croatia), famously remarking that he preferred growing cabbages to ruling the world. He died of natural causes — a feat in itself — having defied the violent trends of the previous century. It could be argued that the greatest testament to Diocletian’s leadership was its aftermath: the moment he left, the system collapsed back into jealousy, discord, and civil war.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Diocletian, AD 284-305, Æ Nummus (27mm, 9.19 g, 1h), Cyzicus mint, 3rd officina, Struck circa AD 297-299, NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Laureate head right, IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, Reverse: Genius standing left, holding patera and cornucopia, GENIO POPV-LI ROMANI, KΓ in exergue. Reference: RIC VI 12a.
Image: Sony ɑ 7R Ⅴ camera / Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS lens.