Roman Empire, Diocletian, Antoninianus
291 - Lugdunum - Silver - AU(50-53)
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Bust of Diocletian, radiate, helemeted and cuirassed, right.
Pax, draped, standing left, holding Victory on globe in right hand and sceptre in left hand.
Coin featuring a rare obverse-reverse combination. The depiction of Pax associated with the helmeted emperor and turned right does not appear to have been seen in sales in recent years, and only one other example, held at the BnF, has been found. The type on our obverse on antoniniani (legend and iconography) is most often associated with four reverses depicting Jupiter (RIC V, 28); Salus (RIC V, 89), Fides (RIC V, 118) and Minerva (RIC V, 63). The latter type is the only one featuring the legend PAX AVGG, like our reverse. However, instead of Pax holding a scepter and a globe surmounted by a Victory, this type depicts Minerva wearing a helmet, holding a branch and a spear, and leaning on a shield. It is the most common combination and the one most often found on sale with Diocletian wearing a helmet and turned right.
IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG
PAX AVGG //A
4.22 gr
Silver
Silver can fall into your pocket but also falls between copper and gold in group 11 of the periodic table. Three metals frequently used to mint coins. There are two good reasons for using silver: it is a precious metal and oxidizes little upon contact with air. Two advantages not to be taken for granted.
Here is thus a metal that won’t vanish into thin air.
It’s chemical symbol Ag is derived from the Latin word for silver (argentum), compare Ancient Greek ἄργυρος (árgyros). Silver has a white, shiny appearance and, to add a little bit of esotericism or polytheism to the mix, is traditionally dedicated to the Moon or the goddess Artemis (Diana to the Romans).
As a precious metal, just like gold, silver is used to mint coins with an intrinsic value, meaning their value is constituted by the material of which they are made. It should be noted that small quantities of other metals are frequently added to silver to make it harder, as it is naturally very malleable (you can’t have everything) and thus wears away rapidly.
The first silver coins probably date back to the end of the 7th century BC and were struck on the Greek island of Aegina. These little beauties can be recognized by the turtle featured on the reverse.
The patina of silver ranges from gray to black.
The millesimal fineness (or alloy) of a coin indicates the exact proportion (in parts per thousand) of silver included in the composition. We thus speak, for example, of 999‰ silver or 999 parts of silver per 1 part of other metals. This measure is important for investment coins such as bullion. In France, it was expressed in carats until 1995.
An “AU(50-53)” quality
As in numismatics, it is important that the state of conservation of an item be carefully evaluated before it is offered to a discerning collector with a keen eye.
This initially obscure acronym comprising two words describing the state of conservation is explained clearly here:
About Uncirculated(50-53)
This means – more prosaically – that the coin has circulated well from hand to hand and pocket to pocket but the impact on its wear remains limited: the coins displays sharp detailing and little sign of being circulated. The number (50-53) indicates that at least half of the original luster remains. Closer examination with the naked eye reveals minor scratches or nicks.
You might be wondering why there are different ranges of numbers behind the same abbreviation. Well, we’ll explain:
The numbers are subdivisions within a category, showing that the state of conversation is the same but coins may be at the higher or lower end of the scale. In the case of AU, the range (55-58) indicates that the luster is better preserved in than a similar coin described as (50-53).
