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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Sallent, post: 3509795, member: 76194&quot;]Well, silver coins did not disappear entirely from Roman history after the collapse and the total economic inhalation that was the late 250&#039;s through 280&#039;s.</p><p><br /></p><p>Diocletian tried hard to reintroduce a coin equal in weight and fineness to a denarius during the time of Nero...the argenteus.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]930687[/ATTACH]</p><p>GALERIUS as Caesar, AD 293-305.</p><p>AR Argenteus, 21mm, 2.7g, 12h; Rome, c. 294.</p><p>Obv: MAXIMIANVS CAES; Laureate head right.</p><p>Rev: VIRTVS MILITVM; The tetrarchs sacrificing over tripod before city enclosure with six turrets.</p><p>Reference: RIC VI Rome 29b, p. 353, r2.</p><p><br /></p><p>Like a lot of other denominations created by Diocletian, it didn&#039;t really last long. Most of Diocletian&#039;s coin reforms were ineffective.&nbsp; But I bet you that during the decade and a half these coins were made, the troops must have been happy about being paid in silver over a bunch of devalued coins.</p><p><br /></p><p>And don&#039;t forget the siliqua. About the same diameter as an old denarius too, but definitely thinner. These were made throughout most of the rest of the 4rth century, and I think maybe even into the early 5th century. Apparently they needed tons of these to pay the soldiers because most have edge cracks attesting to how fast they were being pumped out of the mint. There was little quality control here, so if you see one without edge splits you should probably buy it.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]930688[/ATTACH]</p><p>Valens, AD 364-378.</p><p>AR Siliqua, Treveri, 367-378.</p><p>Obv.: D N VALEN-S P F AVG; Pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right.</p><p>Rev.: VRBS ROMA; Roma seated left on cuirass, holding Victory set on globe in her right hand and spear in her left // TRPS•</p><p>Reference: RIC IX 27b and 45a.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]930689[/ATTACH] </p><p>Gratian, AD 367-383. AR Siliqua, 16mm, 2.2g, 12h; Trier mint, 367-378. <i>Obv</i>.: DN GRATIANVS P F AVG; Pearl diademed draped cuirassed bust right. <i>Rev</i>.: VRBS - ROMA; Roma seated left, holding Victory on globe and sceptre // TRPS•<i>Reference</i>: RIC IX 27f Trier.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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