Post-reform radiates = radiate fractions, c. 294ff

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Valentinian, Oct 14, 2021.

  1. Valentinian

    Valentinian Well-Known Member

    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.

    Diocletian3CMmmANT2160.jpg
    Diocletian
    20-19 mm. 3.25 grams.
    IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG
    *
    Є
    ANT
    RIC Antioch 60a "c. 296"


    Diocletian3CMmmKG2161.jpg
    Diocletian
    21-19 mm. 2.87 grams.
    IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG
    Radiate and cuirassed bust right

    RIC Cyzicus 15a
    Sear IV 12834


    Galerius3CMmmKA2162.jpg
    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.)
     
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  3. John Conduitt

    John Conduitt Well-Known Member

    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
    upload_2021-10-14_18-1-18.png
    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).
     
    Bing, Johndakerftw, Spaniard and 6 others like this.
  4. Severus Alexander

    Severus Alexander find me at NumisForums

    Great page as usual, Warren!

    Here's my Heraclea of Constantius, ex @Terence Cheesman:
    constantius radiate.jpg
    I hadn't noticed the undraped western vs. draped eastern rulers - neat!

    This Maximian VOT XX lacks an officina:
    maximian no officina.jpg
    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.
     
  5. cmezner

    cmezner do ut des Supporter

    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)

    upload_2021-10-14_14-31-59.png upload_2021-10-14_14-32-16.png
     
  6. Valentinian

    Valentinian Well-Known Member

    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).
     
  7. hotwheelsearl

    hotwheelsearl Well-Known Member

    Here are my post-reform radiates.

    Galerius, which cost more than it should have:
    Galerius Radiate Fraction Cyzicus RIC 19b.JPG

    Constantius I, with a cool reverse and massive flan.
    Constantius I RIC VI Carthage 35a.JPG
     
  8. seth77

    seth77 Well-Known Member

    Lots of them red radiates up for auction these days.
     
  9. Severus Alexander

    Severus Alexander find me at NumisForums

    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.]
     
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2021
  10. Orange Julius

    Orange Julius Well-Known Member

    I have a lot of these, most in meh condition. Here's on of Maximian that I've always liked.
    MaximianCyzicusRICVI-15b.JPG
    Maximianus - CONCORDIA MILITVM - Cyzicus - RIC VI 15b
     
  11. gsimonel

    gsimonel Well-Known Member

    3.jpg
    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.
     
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