Post-reform radiate

Roman coin type

The post-reform radiate (the Latin name, like many Roman coins of this time, is unknown), was a Roman coin first issued by Diocletian during his currency reforms. The radiate looked very similar to the antoninianus (pre-reform radiate), with a radiate crown, similar to the one worn by the Roman deity, Sol Invictus. It is different from the Antoninianus because of the absence of the "XXI" that existed on pre-reform radiates, a symbol believed to have indicated a consistence of 20 parts bronze to 1 part silver. The post-reform radiate had little or no silver content. The weight can vary between 2.23^[1] and 3.44 grams.^[2]

There also exists radiates of Maximian, Constantius I, and Galerius, Diocletian's co-rulers, in the same style.

References

^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2005-02-28. Retrieved 2006-09-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) retrieved 13 sept 2006
^ http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/diocletian/_cyzicus_RIC_015a.txt ^{[bare URL plain text file]}

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Bibliography

Radiate on Forumancientcoins Accessed on 13 September 2006
Doug smith information on denomination Accessed on 13 September 2006

Coinage of Ancient Rome

Proto-currency

Bronze: Aes rude; Aes signatum

Republican era

Gold: Aureus
Silver: Denarius; Sestertius; Victoriatus; Quadrigatus
Bronze and copper: Dupondius (2 asses); As (1); Dodrans (3⁄4); Bes (2⁄3); Semis (1⁄2); Quincunx (5⁄12); Triens (1⁄3); Quadrans (1⁄4); Sextans (1⁄6); Uncia (1⁄12); Semuncia (1⁄24)