284-286 CE, Diocletian Antoninianus pre-Tetrarchy

 Denomination: Antoninianus  
Era: 284-286 CE
Metal:  AE/Billon
Obverse:  IMP CC VAL DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG  Draped, cuirassed bust of Diocletian wearing a radiate crown
Reverse:  IOVI CONSERVAT AVG. Jupiter stg. L., holding thunderbolt and scepter. A officina mark to L.  
Mint: Lugdunum
Weight:  3.88 g.
Reference:RIC 41 (Lugdunum Mint)
Provenance:  Munz Centrum auction, Sept 15 2021, lot 864  

Issues with the reverse  "AVG" form rather than "AVGG" are believed to be during Diocletians early reign, before the elevation of Maximian as co-emperor, in 286.  These coins are significantly more scarce than the later issues of Antoniniani during the early years of the tetrarchy.  Per Hunter after Bastien, this is from the 1st issue of 12 issues from Lyon.   Dark patina and EF. 

Colección : The Tetrarchy to the defeat of Maximinus 313 AD.