Nomos 7

Diocletian & Maximianus. AD 286-305. Half-Follis, or possibly an Octodrachm (Bronze, 21mm, 7.01 g 12), Alexandria, but struck from dies engraved in either Siscia or Antioch, c. 298. DIOCLETIANVS AVG Radiate bust of Diocletian to right, seen from behind. Rev. MAXIMIANVS AVG Radiate bust of Maximianus to right, seen from behind. J.-P. Garnier, Comptoir Français de l’Or, FPL February 1985, 222. Hunter IV, pl. CLXXXIII, 386. RIC V, 338 (but with the incorrect obverse legend, see pl. X, 6). Sear 12970. Vagi, pp 88 and 486. M. Weder, SMB 145, 1987, pp-12-19. Very rare. Dark patina. About very fine.

From a Swiss collection, ex Numismatica Ars Classica N, 26 June 2003, 2153.

This coin type has received a considerable amount of commentary, with varying explanations for its existence. The most likely is that it was struck in Alexandria after the end of the revolt of Domitius Domitianus, and that it was produced using dies sent from Siscia. At least one of these pieces (8 are known) was found in Egypt; all are worn, which suggests they were definitely part of the normal monetary system. One of the known pieces is 26 mm but all the remainder are 21 mm; they are struck from four die pairs. Their Latin legends argue against their being part of the traditional Alexandrian system, which makes the belief that they are octodrachms, as produced by Domitianus, rather unlikely.