Diocletian: Big Ego With Tiny Hands!

I recently began searching the follis struck for the emperor Diocletian. Searching, of course, for that singular portrait with unusually pronounced elements of realism. A stand-out among the many, many varieties bearing the standard caricature-style of that period. While I did not (as yet) find such a coin...my eye did detect something...unexpected: tiny...hands. *smile* Sssso glad I was not drinking (say, milk) when I recognized the emperor was depicted with these flailing little limbs! This element is, of course, not news to the many out there who are knowledgeable regarding these late-period issues, but this is outside my chosen focus. So it is something I had never picked up on.

Now I fully understand these coins are a propaganda tool, with a need to send a message. There is therefore a penchant to jam as much information onto these little discs as possible...but...geeeeez. Just the idea that the most powerful individual of this vast empire would allow himself to be depicted in such a comical way...is a tad mystifying. I know, I know. So many mints, producing so many varieties. The demands of running an empire...yadda-yadda. I get that...but surely someone was tasked with approving this die type. Who knows...*smile*...perhaps Diocletian had a sense of humor and gave the design a (tiny) thumbs-up (or a clenched thumb, as it were).







In this variety, the Emperor is most often depicted holding olive branches and/or a mappa (white cloth dropped to start a chariot race)...but another design shows him holding a scepter. Still another, a raised hand. The examples above are in no way exhaustive. I invite all to add to this thread any variations on this theme. Are there any Community members who have Diocletian of this type in their collection?

Seems to me the long arm of the Emperor is somewhat overstated...but then...he was teamed-up with that pit bull Maximian.