★ A magnificent aureus of Diocletian ★

Diocletian, 284-305. Aureus (Gold, 20 mm, 5.34 g, 12 h), Cyzicus, 290. DIOCLETIANVS AVGVSTVS Laureate head of Diocletian to right. Rev. CONSVL IIII P P PROCOS Diocletian, togate, standing front, head to left, holding globe in his right hand and parazonium in his left. Calicó 4434 var. (no parazonium). Cohen 46. RIC 285. A magnificent example of particularly attractive style with lovely reddish toning. Good extremely fine.

The magnificent aurei of Diocletian and Maximianus celebrating their 4th and 3rd consulships were likely distributed as donativa on the processus consularis on 1 January 290. This is a particularly attractive example, with an unusually individual portrait of Diocletian enhanced by light reddish toning.