Both sides of an irregularly shaped gold coin with relief decoration on each side.　
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College

On the side of the coin on the left is the bust of a bearded man facing right, with short cropped hair and wearing a laurel wreath; surrounding the border, small dots and the Latin characters: D I O C L E T I A N V S / A V G V S T V S. The other side of the coin depicts a man standing facing left, wearing a long flowing garment, holding a globe in right hand, and a long staff in the left; surrounding the border, small dots and the Latin characters: C O N S V L / V I / P / P / P R O C O S / S M A / Z.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1951.31.4.1
People
Diocletian, Roman (r. 284 - 305 CE)
Title
Aureus of Diocletian, Antioch
Classification
Coins
Work Type
coin
Date
296-297 CE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Asia, Antioch (Syria)
Period
Roman Imperial period, Late
Culture
Roman
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/196431

Location

Location
Level 3, Room 3700, Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Art, Roman Art
View this object's location on our interactive map

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Gold
Metal
AV
Technique
Struck
Dimensions
5.54 g
Die Axis
5
Denomination
aureus
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Obverse Inscription: DIOCLETIANVS AVGVSTVS
  • Reverse Inscription: CONSVL VI P P PROCOS - SMA Z

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number
RIC VI 13 p. 614

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore
Accession Year
1951
Object Number
1951.31.4.1
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Obv.: Laureate bust of Diocletian to r.

Rev.: Emperor laureate, togate, standing facing l., holding globe in r. hand and long stick in l.

Exhibition History

  • Roman Gallery Installation (long-term), Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 09/16/1999 - 01/20/2008
  • Gods in Color: Painted Sculpture of Classical Antiquity, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 09/22/2007 - 01/20/2008
  • 32Q: 3700 Roman, Harvard Art Museums, 11/16/2014 - 01/01/2050

Subjects and Contexts

  • Google Art Project

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu