I've been collecting ancient for many years. When I began I liked late Roman copper because it was relatively inexpensive. I got my first SACRA MONETA follis of Diocletian in 1983. This month I got this one: Diocletian, 284-305. 29-27 mm. 8.03 grams. IMP C DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG SACRA MONET AVGG ET CAESS NOSTR "Sacred mint of our Augusti and Caesars" ("moneta" means "mint", not "money") PT• RIC VI Ticinum 45a "c. 300-303" Sear IV 12821 Failmezger 28 This coin was still relatively inexpensive and gives me a thrill. Wow! Old. Famous emperor. Big. Strong strike. Good grade. Lots of silvering. Bold portrait. One might think that after many years the the thrill that accompanies ancient coins held in the hand would go away, or at least diminish. Not for me. I still get a rush from ancient coins.
Thanks for the Latin lesson on moneta. I think I’m developing a more discriminating eye now because I’m noticing things like fields. That reverse has a really smooth field that sets off the strike. A lovely coin, and I share your lingering enthusiasm. I also really appreciate the way that you share that enthusiasm through your educational and commercial sites.
Agree. It is a real beauty. There is a lot to love in AE1. Mine has nothing going for it except it cost $14 in 1991 from Colosseum Coin. I did not collect late Roman much back then. This was my first Diocletian.
I can honestly say that after seventy eight years of (sometimes sporadic) collecting and researching these wonderful historical artifacts the thrill of acquiring an antique coin remains undiminished for me.
Here's a Maximian buddy for your coin. It gave me thrills when I pulled it out of a group lot. We're clearly in it for the thrills... though I fear our family members would be skeptical of this explanation...
Nice one @Valentinian. I agree. I still get a "thrill" when I receive a new coin or even when I just get my old coins out and look through them. DIOCLETIAN AE27 Silvered Follis OBVERSE: IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, laureate head right REVERSE: GENIO POPV-L-IROMANI, Genius standing left, holding patera & cornucopia, HTA in ex. Struck at Heraclea, 296-297 AD 9.3g, 27mm RIC VI 19a DIOCLETIAN AE27 Follis OBVERSE: IMP DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG, laureate head right REVERSE: SACR MONET AVGG ET CAESS NOSTR, Moneta standing left, holding scales & cornucopia, AQS in ex.; crescent and VI across fields Struck at Aquileia, 304-305 AD 8.1g, 27mm RIC VI Aquileia 39a
Nice looking coin for sure. I also agree about the thrill. I just don't understand some people I show my coins to. They show no interest in the history and the privilege of holding a piece of it.
Great coin and agree, always fun when getting special pieces. You just can’t get that feeling with a crummy Morgan or Lincoln cent.
What a winner that Diocletian is. And, absolutely, 100% yes, ancient coins really are an endless source of wonderment! DIOCLETIAN AE Follis. 8.33g, 27.5mm. Ticinum mint, AD 294-295. RIC VI Ticinum 23a (scarce). O: IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, laureate head right. R: GENIO POPV-LI ROMANI, Genius standing left, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, holding patera and cornucopiae; T in exergue. Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection
Very nice, and thrilling OP coin I think the thrill is even bigger now than it was 40 years ago, because I know more and am more appreciative of the beauty and historical significance of ancient coins Here's my first Diocletian, acquired in 1993. I love that portrait of the old emperor. Even back then it wasn't cheap. Still I've never regretted its purchase Diocletian, Follis Alexandria mint, 2nd officina, c. AD 304-305 IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, Laureate bust of Diocletianus right IOVI CONS CAES, Jupiter standing left, holding victory and spear. B in right field S | P in lower field, ALE at exergue 11.21 gr Ref : Cohen # 173, RCV # 12805 (180), RIC VI # 41 Q
