Diocletian, Follis, bronze, reign 284-305, minted 302-303

Diocletian, Follis, bronze, reign 284-305, minted 302-303, weight 10.00 g, diameter 28 mm. Obverse: laureate bust of Diocletian right; legend IMP DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG. Reverse: Genius standing left, modius on head, nude except for chlamys over left shoulder, holding patera in right hand and cornucopiae in left; legend GENIO POPVLI ROMANI, mintmark TR in exergue. Strike: hammered, generally well-centered, die axis about 6 h. Toning: medium brown patina with slightly darker high points. References: RIC VI Trier 170a; Catalogue ID L5-95. The follis was introduced by Diocletian as part of his monetary reforms begun around 294, aimed at stabilizing the imperial currency after decades of debasement. Struck at Trier during 302-303, this issue formed part of an empire-wide series honoring the Genius of the Roman people, a personification intended to emphasize continuity and civic prosperity under the Tetrarchy. The legends and imagery underscore Diocletian’s policy of reinforcing traditional Roman religious symbolism while standardizing coinage weights and alloy content across multiple mints.