Coin Item Number: 3206/8 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Roman coin of Diocletian (284-305). Obverse: bust of an emperor, facing right; he wears a laurel crown; to left, inscription says 'AIO...ILTI' (DIOKLHTIANOS SEB); to right, 'ANOCCE'. Reverse: Athena enthroned, facing left, holds Nike in outstretched hand; inscription 'L'; to right, 'H'.
History Of Use
Tetradrachm (denomination); regnal year 8 (291-92). When Rome conquered Egypt, it preserved the closed currency system already in place there, as well as the local designs of coinage; the use of Greek mythological figures paid respect to local traditions, while the depiction of the emperor tied the coin to Roman authority. These Greek-style coins, called “Alexandrian Coins”, circulated only within Egypt. Merchants and other travellers had to exchange their coinage at the border. At the time this coin was made, Alexandrian coins were severely degraded in value and quality. Tetradrachms like this one were originally a valuable denomination made up of silver, but by the time of this coin’s minting, they were the most common coin and were mostly bronze.
Narrative
One of the very last Greek coins to be struck under the Roman Empire (Milne 5018).
Item History
- Made in Alexandria, Egypt between 291 and 292
- Owned by David Cunningham before October 27, 2016
- Received from David Cunningham (Donor) on October 27, 2016
What
- Name
- Coin
- Identification Number
- 3206/8
- Type of Item
- coin
- Material
- bronze metal
- Overall
- height 0.3 cm, diameter 1.9 cm
Who
- Culture
- Roman
- Previous Owner
- David Cunningham
- Received from
- David Cunningham (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Alexandria, Egypt
When
- Creation Date
- between 291 and 292
- Ownership Date
- before October 27, 2016
- Acquisition Date
- on October 27, 2016
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 3206/0008