Dea Moneta
login
Banner Astarte XXIII
Lot # 514
Egypt. Alexandria. Diocletian, 284-305. Tetradrachm (Billon, 19.7 mm, 8.56 g). Dated RY 11 (= 294/5). ΔΙΟΚΛΗΤΙΑΝΟϹ ϹΕΒ Laureate and cuirassed bust right. Rev. Draped bust of Serapis right, wearing kalathos, in front palm branch; L-IA across upper field. Dattari-Savio 5741 (this coin). Geissen -. Emmett 4074. Almost fully silvered. Extremely Fine. Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection 5741. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd. 42, 22.07.2018, lot 377. Here is another Diocletian’s excellent tetradrachm with first class references and wholly silver-plated showing an aulic portrait on the obverse and an austere and well engraved Zeus Sarapis on the reverse. It was may be issued, as it would indicate the presence of the palm, in 294-295, for the celebration of his double “decennalia” of reign, which began with the conflict and death of Numerian at Nicomedia in November 284 A.D. After the defeat and death of Carinus during the battle of Margus in August 285 A.D. Diocletian’s second “decennalia” were celebrated.