There is a series of coins
from Siscia issued for Maximianus and
Diocletian with a secret code. In 1872,
the Viennese numismatist Joseph Van Kolb
was the first person (at least recorded in
modern times) who figured out the meaning
of these coins. Diocletian and Maximianus
claimed lineage with the gods; which is
why the reverse legend translates as
“Defender/Protector of the Augusti.” In
the East, Diocletian was in the family of
Jupiter and in the West, Maximianus was in
the family of Hercules. These coins have
the names of the gods incorporated into
the reverses. The coins of Diocletian have
a reverse with him and Jupiter and the
reverses for Maximianus depict him and
Hercules. The normal Hercules reverse is
leaning on a club, but a rarer type has
him holding the club with a lion skin.
There
is a theory that
Diocletian and Maximianus
started to proclaim their
relationship with Jupiter
and Hercules because of
the revolt of Carausius.
It was "an attempt to
impose a divine order on
the administering of the
Empire, a "cosmic unity"
that would automatically
exclude any usurper from a
place within the Empire."
(In Praise of Later Roman
Emperors pg 48) It
is impossible to prove,
but an interesting idea.
see: William Seston
"Dioclétien et la
Tétrarchie"
Here is a quote from
Lactantius, a Christian author of the 4th century, who mocks the
Tetrarchy for their affiliation with the
pagan gods--
“Where now are the
surnames of the Jovii and
the Herculii, once
so glorious and renowned among
the nations; surnames insolently assumed
at first by Diocles and Maximian, and
afterwards transferred to their
successors?” Lactantius LII
The first part of the mint
mark for this issue reads XXI, which must be a mark of
value-- twenty parts copper to one part silver. The next
bit is the code, which is in Greek. There were three
workshops in the Siscia mint at this time-- workshop A, B
and Γ.
The workshop (A,B,Γ) can be in the exergue
(bottom) as part of the mint mark or separate, in the left
or right field. In the mintmark it is sometimes separated
from XXI by a dot.
workshop
A= I, workshop B= O and workshop Γ = BI I/O/BI for Jupiter
(Diocletian)
workshop
A= HP, workshop B= KOY and workshop Γ = ΛI HP/KOY/ΛI for
Hercules (Maximianus)
The ties for the headress can be either parallel or divergent (with one tie over shoulder)...I am not sure if there is any significance to this or is just engravers choice.
some of the different bust types
radiate, bare bust right
radiate and cuirassed bust left
radiate, draped and cuirassed bust left
nude heroic bust with drapery over shoulder(s)
radiate and cuirassed bust right, seen from the rear
radiate and cuirassed bust right (sometimes slight drapery on left)
Radiate bust left wearing imperial mantle and holding eagle-tipped sceptre
link to an article with lots of CONSERVATOR coins-
SISCIAN
ISSUES OF CONSERVATOR AVGG ANTONINIANI FOR DIOCLETIAN
AND MAXIMIAN
Diocletian
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Diocletian A.D. 288 Ӕ Antoninianus 22mm 3.4g IMP C DIOCLETIANVS AVG; Radiate bust left wearing imperial mantle and holding eagle-tipped sceptre. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre. In ex. XXI•A• RIC Vii Siscia 262 This is not a coded coin. It is the preceding issue and I have included it to show the consular bust |
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I |
Diocletian A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 23mm 4.0g IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre; A in left field. In ex. •XXI•I• RIC V Siscia 263 |
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| Diocletian A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 22mm 3.4gm IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre; A in left field. In ex. •XXI•I• RIC V Siscia 264 |
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| Diocletian A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 22x24mm 3.9g IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre; A in left field. In ex. •XXI•I• RIC V Siscia 264 |
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O
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Diocletian A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 23x25mm 4.9gm IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre; B in left field. In ex. XXIO RIC V Siscia 263 |
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| Diocletian A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 22x24mm 3.7g IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right, slight drapery over left shoulder. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre; B in right field. In ex. XXIO RIC V Siscia 263 |
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| Diocletian A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 22x23mm 3.6g IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right, slight drapery over left shoulder. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre. In ex. BXXIO RIC Vii Siscia 263 |
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| Diocletian A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 23mm 3.5g IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right, slight drapery over left shoulder. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre. In ex. XXIB•O RIC V Siscia 263 |
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BI
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Diocletian A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 25mm 4.5g IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre; Γ in left field. In ex. XXI•BI• RIC V Siscia 263 |
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| Diocletian A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 22x24mm 3.9gm IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre; Γ in right field. In ex. •XXI•BI• RIC V Siscia 263 |
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| Diocletian A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 23mm 3.9gm IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre. In ex. XXIΓ•BI• RIC V Siscia 263 |
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| Diocletian A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 23mm 3.9gm IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre. In ex. XXIΓ•BI• RIC V Siscia 263 |
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| Diocletian A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 24mm 4.7g IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Diocletian stg. r., and Jupiter stg. l., sacrificing at altar, each holding sceptre. In ex. •Γ•XXI•BI• RIC Vii Siscia 263 |
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Maximianus
HP |
Maximianus A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 23x24mm 3.3g IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar. In ex. AXXIHP RIC V Siscia 580 |
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| Maximianus A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 22x23mm 4.2g IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar. In ex. AXXIHP RIC V Siscia 580 |
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| Maximianus A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 23mm 3.2g IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate, bare bust right. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar; A in right field In ex. XXIHP RIC V Siscia 580 |
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| Maximianus A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 23mm 3.9g IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate, bare bust right. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar; A in left field In ex. •XXI•HP RIC V Siscia 580 |
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| Maximianus A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 22mm 3.3g IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar. In ex. XXIA•HP RIC V Siscia 580 |
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| Maximianus A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 23mm 4.1g IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust left. CONSERVATOR AV-GG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar; A in right field. In ex. • XXI•HP• RIC Vii Siscia 580 Not in RIC for the left facing bust, also unusual how the reverse legend is broken by the workshop letter. |
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| Maximianus A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 22mm 3.6g IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate, draped and cuirassed bust left. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar. In ex. •A•XXI•HP• RIC Vii Siscia 580 bust type not listed in RIC |
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| Maximianus A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 23x24mm 3.7g IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P AVG; radiate, bare bust right. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar; A in left field In ex. XXIHP RIC Vii Siscia 581 |
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KOY |
Maximianus A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 22x24mm 3.1g IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar. In ex. BXXIKOY RIC V Siscia 580 |
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| Maximianus A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 22mm 3.5g IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar. In ex. XXIBKOY RIC V Siscia 580 |
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| Maximianus A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 23x24mm 3.2g IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right, seen from rear. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar; B in right field In ex. XXIKOY RIC V Siscia 580 |
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| Maximianus A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 22x23mm 3.8g IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate, bare bust right. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar; B in right field In ex. XXIKOY RIC V Siscia 580 |
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| Maximianus A.D. 289- 290 22mm 3.9g IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; heroic nude bust right, with drapery over shoulders. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar; B in right field In ex. XXIKOY RIC V Siscia 580 Bust type not listed in RIC |
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| Maximianus A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 22x23mm 3.6g IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate, bare bust right. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, holds club, with lion skin draping down; stg. face to face, sacrificing at altar; B in right field In ex. XXIKOY RIC V Siscia 580 Not listed for Hercules holding club |
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| Maximianus A.D. 289- 290 22x23mm 3.7g IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P AVG; heroic nude bust right, with drapery over shoulders. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar; B in right field In ex. XXIKOY RIC V Siscia 581 Bust type not listed in RIC |
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ΛI
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Maximianus A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 22x23mm 3.4g IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar. In ex. XXIΓ•ΛI• RIC V Siscia 580 |
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| Maximianus A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 23x25mm 3.6g IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar. In ex. •Γ•XXI•ΛI• RIC V Siscia 580 |
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| Maximianus A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 23x26mm 3.7g IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar; Γ in right. In ex. •XXI•ΛI• RIC V Siscia 580 |
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| Maximianus A.D. 289- 290 Ӕ Antoninianus 23mm 3.2g IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right, seen from rear. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar; Γ in right. In ex. •XXI•ΛI• RIC V Siscia 580 var. (bust type) |
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| Maximianus A.D. 289- 290 22mm 3.6g IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; heroic nude bust right, with drapery over left shoulder. CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar; Γ in left field In ex. XXIΛI RIC V Siscia 580 |
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reference
modified on 20 April 2026