Art Institute of Chicago

Argenteus (Coin) Portraying Emperor Diocletian

Roman, possibly minted in Carthage

Date

300, issued by Diocletian or Maximianus

Medium

Silver

Culture

Roman Empire

Department

Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

The front (obverse) of this coin portrays the head of emperor Diocletian, laureate and facing to the right. The back (reverse) depicts a laurel wreath and inscription. X C V I on the back refers to the reformed silver coinage after 295 CE. The inscription is for the number "96," meaning 96 silver coins to the pound was Diocletian's reformed currency. However, it was often struck well under that weight.

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