Diocletian, AD 284-305, Tetradrachm

Maximian, Tetradrachm, billon, AD 286–305, regnal year 2 (AD 287/88), Alexandria, 7.20 g, 19 mm. Obv. Α Κ Μ ΟΥΑ ΜΑΞΙΜΙΑΝΟϹ ϹΕΒ; laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev. L B; regnal year mark 2 for Maximian. Struck at Alexandria on late provincial billon fabric characteristic of the terminal tetradrachm series. Documented in RPC Online X 75959 (unassigned).

Issued early in the Tetrarchic period, this Alexandrian tetradrachm exemplifies Egypt’s distinct provincial monetary system, with Greek legends and regnal-year dating (L = year, B = 2). The low-silver billon reflects the long decline of the tetradrachm standard that had served Egypt since Augustus. Within a decade, Diocletian’s reforms ended the Alexandrian tetradrachm, replacing it with imperial denominations such as the follis around AD 296/97.