Diocletian's coin reform of c. 294 introduced new denominations including the so-called "post-reform radiate" also known as the "radiate fraction." Here are some examples I added today to my educational website on the denomination: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/tetrarchy/radiatefraction.html All three of the additions below have the usual CONCORDIA MILITVM reverse with the emperor standing on the left receiving Victory on small globe from Jupiter on the right. Diocletian 20-19 mm. 3.25 grams. IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG * Є ANT RIC Antioch 60a "c. 296" Diocletian 21-19 mm. 2.87 grams. IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG Radiate and cuirassed bust right KΓ RIC Cyzicus 15a Sear IV 12834 Galerius 21 mm. 3.15 grams. GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES KA RIC Cyzicus 19b "c. 295-9" The radiate fractions look a lot like antoniniani (aureliani). The site discusses how to tell them apart (and why it makes a difference). Show us some radiate fractions! (By the way, if a coin has "XXI" in exergue it is not a radiate fraction.)
That's a very useful guide. Although it certainly helps determine this is a post-reform radiate when you've posted the same coin (if a lot lighter). Diocletian Radiate, 295-299 Cyzicus. Bronze, 21x22mm, 3.8g. IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG. Diocletian receiving Victory from Jupiter, CONCORDIA MI-LITVM. KΓ (3rd workshop) (RIC VI 15a).
Great page as usual, Warren! Here's my Heraclea of Constantius, ex @Terence Cheesman: I hadn't noticed the undraped western vs. draped eastern rulers - neat! This Maximian VOT XX lacks an officina: I have assigned it to Rome - does that sound right? (RIC gives them to Ticinum but I have note saying that was corrected by Zschucke.) I like your reasoning dating these to the mid 290's rather than the early 300's.
Æ3 Radiate Fraction Mysia, Cyzicus, 295 - 297 AD, struck under the authority of Diocletian; 20 x 23 mm, 1.997 g RIC VI Cyzicus 15b, A; Ob.: IMP C M A MAXIMIANVS P F AVG bust of Maximianus, radiate, cuirassed, right Rev.: CONCORDIA MILITVM, Maximianus, draped, cuirassed, standing right, receiving Victory on globe from Jupiter; Jupiter, standing l., holding scepter with l. hand; mintmark K A (1st officina)
I love the curly beard. Constantius was the only tetrarch sometimes depicted with a distinctive beard (only at eastern mints. From western mints, and sometimes at eastern mints, his beard does not have curls).
Here are my post-reform radiates. Galerius, which cost more than it should have: Constantius I, with a cool reverse and massive flan.
Thanks! That's exactly the reason I bid for the coin. I take it you don't disagree with the Rome attribution of my Max VOT XX without officina mark? I would tentatively place it early in the course of production. (Though I see dealers normally attribute it to Ticinum, following RIC.) [Edit: I take it back, the common practice is not "following RIC." On p. 359, fn 2, RIC notes that Rome seems to have produced examples without officina. I don't know why the trade tends to attribute them solely to Ticinum.]
I have a lot of these, most in meh condition. Here's on of Maximian that I've always liked. Maximianus - CONCORDIA MILITVM - Cyzicus - RIC VI 15b
Constantine I ("the Great") Caesar, A.D. 306-307/9 Augustus A.D. 307/9-337 Post-Reform Radiate Fraction Alexandria mint, A.D. 306-307 RIC 85 Obv: FL VAL CONSTANTINVS NOB CAES Rev: CONCORDIA MILITVM - Prince, on left, in military dress, receiving gift of Victory (with wreath) on globe from Jupiter, leaning on scepter ALE in exergue; Γ in field 20 mm, 3.5 g.