Diocletian, 284-305, AE Radiatus

Diocletian, Antoninianus (AE radiate), emperor AD 284–305; Tripolis (Phoenicia), c. AD 287–289, 3.50 g, 22 mm. IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. IOV ET HERCV CONSER AVGG; Jupiter and Hercules standing facing, Jupiter holding thunderbolt and sceptre, Hercules with club and lion skin. Struck at Tripolis on the late antoninianus standard. RIC V.2 327.

This type reflects the early ideological program of Diocletian and Maximian, who styled themselves Iovius and Herculius to emphasize complementary roles under divine patronage; the legend names Jupiter and Hercules as preservers of the Augusti. Issued from the eastern mint at Tripolis during the pre-reform phase, it belongs to the final years of the radiate antoninianus before Diocletian’s currency reform of AD 294 introduced the nummus (follis), marking a change in both monetary structure and imperial messaging.