DIOCLETIAN. 284-305 AD. AV Pre-Reform Heavy Aureus 
(5.43 gm, 6h). Rome mint. Struck 286 AD. 

IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed 
bust right.
IOVI CONSERVAT AVGG, Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt and sceptre. 

RIC V 137; Depeyrot 2B/1; Pink, Goldprägung, pg. 16; DOC 1; Calicó 4466 (this coin).

Although the radiate crown usually denotes a binio (1 1/2 or double denomination), the aurei weights of this type are nearly identical to the laureate type, so RIC and others consider these to be aurei. The reason for the radiate crown on this issue remains uncertain.

Used by permission of cngcoins.com, Triton VIII, Lot: 1200. Jan 2005