Egypt. Alexandria. Diocletian, 284-305. Tetradrachm (Bronze, 18.50 mm, 6.95 g) dated RY 12 (= 295-296) ΔΙΟΚΛΗΤΙΑΝΟϹ ϹЄΒ Laureate and cuirassed bust of Diocletian right, wearing beard. Rev. Laureate bust of Zeus facing, slightly draped on the right shoulder, head turned to right, L I B (date) across fields. Dattari-Savio pl. 284, 5773. Geissen - . Emmett 4086. Nice light brown patina. Extremely Fine.

Ex Künker 89, 08/09. 03. 2000, lot 1863.

Gorgeous tetradrachm issued, as the following numbers 260 and 261 of the collection, during the last year of the Alexandrian autonomous coinage, the twelfth of the reign of Diocletian with Maximian (295-296 AD). The “senior Augustus” had passed the monetary and taxation reforms which gave rise to the well-know rebellion, in Egypt from Domitius Domitianus, put down in 298 AD. Coin of great quality showing on the reverse the laureate bust of Roman Zeus, representing the clear attribute of the primacy, among the Augusti, of Diocletian, self-defined as “Jovius”.