Diocletian, AD 284-305, Tetradrachm

Diocletian, Tetradrachm, BI, reign AD 284–305; Alexandria, regnal year 8 (AD 292/293); 8.30 g; 19 mm. Obv. ΔΙΟΚΛΗΤΙΑΝΟϹ ϹΕΒ; laureate bust of Diocletian right. Rev. L Η; regnal date mark (L = year, Η = 8) for the Alexandrian series. Struck at Alexandria during year 8 on the late provincial billon standard. RPC X (online), unassigned, ID 76093.

Alexandria maintained a distinct provincial currency in Greek, issuing billon tetradrachms dated by the emperor’s regnal year until Diocletian’s reforms integrated Egypt into the imperial monetary system. The L Η on this coin records the Alexandrian year 8 of Diocletian (29 August 292–28 August 293), situating it in the late phase of the tetradrachm series that would soon give way to the reformed imperial bronze (nummus) under Diocletian’s currency overhaul.