A Review of Common Late Roman Coin Types

as commonly found in A.C.E. uncleaned coin lots

#10 Victory

Three very similar figures of Victory differ quite a bit in other details. In each case a winged figure of Victory walks to the left carrying a wreath and palm branch.

For each: DN (Dominus Noster) our lord; PF (Pius Felix) pious and blessed; AVG (Augustus) Emperor

Upper left: Constantius II 341-346 AD AE4 (bronze under 17mm)

DN CONSTAN - TIVS PF AVG / VICT AVG SMANG

This example has a clear 'pearl' diadem with a large central jewel. Mintmark: SM (Sacra Moneta) AN (Antioch) G (Greek numeral for the third workshop)

Upper right: Valens 367-375 AD AE3 (bronze 18 to 20mm)

DN VALEN - S PF AVG / SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE R O M ASISCR

'Security of the Republic' seems appropriate to be used with Victory. Mintmark: A (Greek numeral for the first workshop) SISC (Siscia mint) - The R following the mintmark and the R O M in the fields are not understood. It is likely that letters and symbols (like the star on this coin) were used to code something relating to mint organization but the reasons for their use and their meanings remain to be deciphered.

Lower left: Theodosius I 384-387 AD AE4 (bronze under 17mm - this is about 13mm)

DN THEODO - SIVS PF AVG / VICTOR - IA AVGGG BSIS
The triple G on AVGGG is the abbreviation showing that there were three Augusti reigning when this coin was struck. The Romans were not always consistant on using the third G for three rulers but two (AVGG) were used commonly to indicate a time of joint rule. When this coin was struck Theodosius was the only adult Augustus sharing the title in the Eastern Empire with his young son Arcadius and the teenage Western Emperor Valentinian II who had fled from Italy and was being sheltered by Theodosius. There was, at that time, a usurper, Magnus Maximus, actually in control of Valentinian's realms but he was not recognized by Theodosius and did not rate a 'G' on the reverse of this coin. Mintmark: B (Greek numeral for the second workshop) SIS (Siscia mint)

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