298-303 AD. Carthage mint. Obv: IMP DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG legend with laureate head right. Rev: SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART legend with Carthago standing, head left, holding fruits in both hands; A in exergue. RIC VI, p.427, 29a, 31a; Sear 12828.10.90 grams. ("). Ex Ralph Van Deman Magoffin collection (1874-1942), a notable North American archaeologist. Born of humble parentage in Dalmatia, Diocles led a military career, eventually being made commander of the bodyguard of Numerian, who died unexpectedly in his litter on the journey from the Persian War. The soldiers proclaimed Diocles emperor, who then challenged Carinus for the imperial throne at the Battle of Margus, and won; it was to prove one of the most crucial turning points in the history of the Roman Empire. The Empire had been afflicted by political and economic unrest through the third century, so Diocletian set out to stabilise the situation, implementing a series of reforms, replacing the concept of the emperor as 'first citizen' to 'master' of the Empire. He increased the number of provinces, imperial frontiers were strengthened, perhaps most famously introducing a tetrarchic form of government. Diocletian restructured the coinage in 294 AD. The mint system was expanded, and the use of explicit mintmarks became the norm. In 305 AD Diocletian abdicated due to failing health, retiring to the palace he had built for himself in Croatia, where he tended his gardens. [No Reserve]