Nomos 39

Diocletian, 284-305. Aureus (Gold, 19 mm, 4.56 g, 6 h), on the light standard, Rome, 285. IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG Laureate, lightly bearded, draped and cuirassed bust of Diocletian to right, seen slightly from behind. Rev. ORIE - N - S - A - VG Sol, radiate and nude but for a cloak, striding to left, raising his right hand in salute and holding a short scepter with his left. Calicó 4549. Depeyrot 1A/1. Lukanc Rome 16. RIC V, 2, p. 235, 147 (undated). Rare. Attractive and toned. Good extremely fine.

From The Dr. Ivo Lukanc Collection of the Gold Coinage of Diocletian, ex Sotheby's London, 29-30 September and 5 October 1988, 952 and from the Trau Collection, Gilhofer & Ranschburg, Vienna, and Hess, Luzern, 22 May 1935, 3258.

Here we have a remarkably elegant portrait bust of Diocletian; the beard is elaborately shown, in a way that harks back to Carinus (see below, lot 373, for an aureus of Carinus minted in Rome shortly before this piece). It is cut short around the chin and has elegant tufts on his upper cheek, next to his ear.