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535 viewsTacitus, 25 September 275 - 12 April 276 A.D.
Obverse:
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
AK K Λ TAKITOC CEB
AK: AVTOKRATOR is the equivalent of the Latin Imperator, 'emperor'.
K Λ is an abbreviation for K AV IOC, 'Claudius' transliterated into Greek.
TOK: TAKITOC= Tacitus
CEB: SEBASTOS (greek indication for augustus).
With the pellet between TOC . CEB
Reverse:
ETOVC A (year 1)
Dikaiosyne standing left holding scales in right hand and cornucopia in left. Diakaiosyne is the Greek equivalent of Aequitas ('Equity, Fair Dealing' to quote Sear).
Domination: Billon TETRAdrachm (4 drachms): size 21 mm
Mint: Alexandria, provincial.
Comment:
These Egyptian issues are not in RIC, but the old standard catalogue for these is Milne, where yours is no. 4492, with the pellet between TOC . CEB. They are also listed in the new Sear vol.III (though in not as much detail), where the nearest is 11831, which doesn't have the pellets in the obverse legend (Milne 4489). Other references : Curtis 1832, BMC 2403v ; Geissen 3115.
Peter Wissing
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Virtvs Probi Avg452 viewsProbus, summer 276 - September 282 A.D.
Obverse:
Radiate bust left in consular robe holding eagle- tripped scepter in right
IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG
IMP: Imperator
C: Ceasar
M: Marcus
AVR: Aurelias
PROBVS: Probus
PF: Pius Felix
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse
VIRTVS PROBI AVG, Virtvs Probvs Avgvsti
VIRTVS: Virtvs
PROBI: Probvs
AVG: Avgvstvs
Mars walking right holding transverse spear in right and trophy over shoulder in left.
Denomination: Antoninianus Bronze, diameter 20 mm
Mint: Siscia. Making in RIC 810 Bust type H. It looks like XXIV or XXIVI, which would correspond to Alföldi 96/182.
http://probvs.info/probvs/R810/R810.html
http://probvs.info/probvs/R810/R810A.html
The coin will also be included on the RIC 810 page at PROBVS.info
Peter Wissing
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Vespasian- VICTORIA AVGVST S C440 viewsVespasian, 1 July 69 - 24 June 79 A.D.
Obverse:
Laureate head right
IMP CAES VESP AVG COS III
IMP: Imperator, general
CAESAR: Caesar, emperor
VESP: Vespasian
AVG: Augustus, emperor
COS: Consul
III: 3 rd time
Reverse:
VICTORIA AVGVST S C,The emperors victory- By decree of the Senate
VICTORIA: Victory
AVGVST: Augusti
S—C: Senatus Consulto, By decree of the senate
Victory advancing right on prow holding palm across shoulder in left and wreath in right
Domination: Copper as, size 28 mm
Mint: Rome, RIC 503; C. 632; BMC 616; BN 595.
Peter Wissing
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Victorinus- SALVS AVG404 viewsVictorinus, summer to November 268 - mid 271 A.D.
Obverse:
Radiate cuirassed bust right
IMP: Imperator, leader of the army
C: Caes
VICTORINVS: Victorinus
P F: Pius Felix, Pious and happy
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
SALVS AVG, the divine health
SALVS: Salus
AVG: Divine
Salus standing right feeding serpents in arms
Domination: Bronze antoninianus, AE 3, Size 19 mm.
Mint: Cologne mint, RIC 122, Zschucke 211 (7. emission, 1. officinae).
Peter Wissing
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Constantine The Great- Gloria EXERCITVS164 viewsConstantine the Great, early 307 - 22 May 337 A.D.
Obverse:Rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG
CONSTANTINVS: Constantine
MAX: Maximus,
AVG: Augustus
Reverse:
GLORIA EXERCITVS
GLORIA. Glory
EXERCITVS: Army
Showing: Two helmeted soldiers holding spears and shields on ground flanking two standards
Domination: Bronze, AE 3, size 18 mm
Mint: SMANΓ ANTIOCH and Gamma Γ(Gamma = 3)
Peter Wissing
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Constantine The Great- Posthumous commemorative Aequitas164 viewsConstantine the Great, early 307 - 22 May 337 A.D.
Obverse:
Constantine with veiled bust right
DV CONSTANTI-NVS PT AVGG
DV: Divus, Divine (acclaimed a deity), Divus was applied to consecrated deceased rulers.
CONSTANTI-NVS: Constantine
PT: Pather, farther (is used with AVGG)
AVGG: Augustus, more than one emperor
Reverse:
IVST VENER MEMOR
IVST: IVSTITA, The personification of justice.
VENER: Venerabilis (revered memory)
MEMOR: MEMORIA, memory
IVST (JUST) means just in the sense of fair, so the legend means "justly venerated memory".
VENER MEMOR/ VNMR (revered memory) was used on the consecration coins of Constantine the Great.
Aequitas standing left holding scales and a scepter. She's also winged on this coin.
Domination: Bronze, AE 4, Size 14 mm. Posthumous commemorative for Constantine the Great
Mint: SMALΓ, Alexandria, Oficina=Γ Gamma (3rd Oficina). The choices for this time period at Alexandria are - A /α (Alpha, first), B /β (Beta, second), (Gamma/Γ, third) and (Delta /Δ,forth).
The coin is dedicated to Constantine The Great by one of his sons from 341 to 347AD
The attribution is RIC VIII Alexandria 28, minted in 345-347. RIC rates the coin as merely "scarce", but perhaps that's rather an understatement!
Peter Wissing
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Arcadius- salus reipublicae147 viewsArcadius, 19 January 383 - 1 May 408 A.D.
Obverse:
Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
D N ARCADI-VS P F AVG
DN: Dominus Noster, our lord
ARCADIVS: Arcadius
PF: Pius Felix, Pious and happy
AVG: Augustus, emperor
There seems to be a double strike close to his face, or some faults of the engraver.
Reverse:
SALVS REIPVBLICAE, The health of the republic
SALVS: Health
REIPVBLICAE:
Dot in left field
Victory advancing left, trophy over shoulder in right, dragging captive with left
Domination: Copper AE 4, size 12 mm.
Mint: ALEA, Alexandria Δ= delta f14th Officina. RICIX20c (388-392) or as RICIX23b (a second emission 15 May 392 - 6 Sep 394 A.D)
They are impossible to distinguish.
The coin is considered VF (Very fine).
Peter Wissing
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Aurelian- Concordia Militum143 viewsAurelian, August or September 270 - October or November 275 A.D.
Obverse:
Radiate and cuirassed bust right
IMP AVRELIANVS AVG
IMP: Imperator, leader of the army
AVRELIANVS: Aurelian
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse
CONCORD • MILIT, Accordance with the army
CONCORD • : Accordance
MILIT: Army
The dot in legend appears on the specimen illustrated by Göbl. Göbl 276a3 (2). He says "Moneta Comitatentis (later in Byzantium), 2nd. Emission"
He dates that to middle of 272. Göbl's concordance is -> Göbl (MiR 47) 276 = RIC 391 = Rohde 119, 120
Aurelian standing right, holding sceptre and clasping hand of Concordia standing left.
Domination: Bronze, size 23 mm
Mint: Cyzicus Γ (3.rd Officina), scarce or RIC V/1, 391; unattributed mint. It is Cohen 25. It could be RIC V/1, 342. I can't tell the difference! The description in RIC is the same for both types. Moneta Comitatensis, but it may be obsolete in any case.
Comment: In Estiot, Monnaies de l'Empire romain, vol.II, it is #987, pl.31; atelier Balkanique. The portrait on the obverse looks very strange. It is strange in the sense that there are very odd pictorial trends in the portraiture of Aurelian, but within the context it's not that unusual.
Peter Wissing
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Constantine The Great- City of Constantinopolis Commemorative Victory135 viewsConstantine the Great, early 307 - 22 May 337 A.D.
Obverse:
CONSTAN-TINOPOLI, Constantinopolis' helmeted bust left in imperial cloak and holding scepter across left shoulder
City of Constantinople Commemorative, 334 -335 A.D.
Reverse:
Victory standing left, foot on prow or ship, holding spear and shield. The Constantinopolis coin depicts the foot of Victory on a prow, which is the bow of a ship.
Domination: Silver, Size: 18 mm. Rare to see so much silvering on a Constantinopolis, but it always seems to be Alexandria that it survives on.
Mint: exergue is SMALB (Sacra Moneta ALexandria officina B second officina), which is Alexandria. RIC VII Alexandria 64 r1 A.D. 333-335.
Coin rated: Very Fine
Peter Wissing
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Probus- Eagle Provincial120 viewsProbus, summer 276 - September 282 A.D.
Obverse:
Laureate and cuirassed bust right
AK M AVP ΠPOBOC CEB (epsilon)B
AK: AUTOKRATOR (greek indication for monarch)
M: Marcus
AVP: Aureus
ΠPOBOC: (pi)PROBOC (Probus)
CEB: SEBASTOS (greek indication for augustus).
Reverse:
L -Δ (delta=year 4) across fields
Eagle standing right, head turned back, wreath in beak. The ties are one back and one straight down
Domination: Billon drachm, size 23 mm.
Mint: Alexandria, provincial. Milne #4588
Comment:
Since this is a provincial coin, it does not have a RIC number.
This is a very interesting coin, as it is overstruck on a previous issue, possibly of Aurelian.
If one look to the right and below Probus' chin one will see an outline of another nose, mouth and chin. Also, between about 4.30 amd 5.30 on the obverse one can see signs of large border pellets, unlike the small pellets of the Probus type, and there is 'interference' in the CEB of the legend.
The reverse shows traces of the undertype too, and the spread flan is another giveaway (most Probus tetradrachms which are not overstrikes are quite thick with smallish flans).
I(Manzikert) have two similar overstrikes (both year 3), and it appears there was a monetary reform by Aurelian c.274-5, and some earlier coins were overstruck with Aurelian's, Tacitus' and Probus' types. There is a paper about these by W.E. Metcalf in 'Studies in Greek numismatics in memory of Martin Jessop Price' Peter Wissing
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Arcadius- VIRTVS EXERCITI118 viewsArcadius, 19 January 383 - 1 May 408 A.D.
Obverse:
Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
D N ARCADI-VS P F AVG
DN: Dominus Noster, our lord
ARCADIVS: Arcadius
PF: Pius Felix, Pious and happy
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
VIRTVS EXERCITI, Victory of the army. Referring to the courage of the army
VIRTVS: Victory
EXERCITI: Army
Emperor standing left, head right, holding spear and shield, Victory left crowns him
Domination: Bronze AE 3, size 17mm.
Mint: SMNA, Nicomedia, Officina A (Alpha, 1 st.), struck 395-401 A.D
Comment:
This type was struck AD 395-401 for Arcadius and Honorius in Heraclea, Constantinopolis, Nicomedia, Cyzicus, Antiochia and Alexandria. With the mintmark I have problems. It could be Heraclea or Nikomedia. If it is Heraclea then it would be RIC X, 58. But that type has the dot on the right(!) field, what one can see on the pic pl.4 too! For Nicomedia I found the following footnote: SMNA, dot on right field (L.2440, Sardis 1981, 183 no.829) also cited; perhaps Heraclea misread, confirmation required.
Important for my coin is only the dot in the left rev. field. The other dots belong to the shield and the drapery of Victoria I think. So your type belongs to the series of AD 395-401, but with the dot in the left field it is not listed in RIC!
The ex. On my coin looks like SMNA . But the type of Nicomedia mentioned in the footnote of RIC has the dot in the right field too and RIC supposed that it is a misread SMHA. All other types listed for Nicomedia have no dots at all. So there are some mysteries around my coin!
Peter Wissing
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Constans- FL CONSTANTIS BEA C Gloria Exercitus115 viewsObverse:
Pearl diademed draped and cuirassed bust right
FL CONSTANTIS BEA C
FL: Flavius
CONSTANTIS: Constans
BEA: Beatissimus
C: Caesar
Reverse
GLORIA EXERCITVS, The glory of the army
GLORIA: Glory
EXERCITVS: Army
Two soldiers holding spears and shields on ground flanking two standards
Domination: Bronze AE 4, 14 mm.
Mint: Siscia, ΑSIS, (Α= alpha 1. St Officina, SIS= Siscia)
Peter Wissing
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Constantine The Great- GLORIA EXERCITVS100 viewsConstantine the Great, early 307 - 22 May 337 A.D.
Obverse:
Rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG
CONSTANTINVS: Constantine
MAX: Maximus, the greatest
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
GLORIA EXERCITVS, The glory of the army
GLORIA: The glory
EXERCITVS: Army
Two soldiers, each holding spear and shield on ground, flanking two standards
Domination: Bronze AE3, size 17 mm
Mint: CONSΑ ”dot”, Constantinople A (alpha, 1.st Officina).
Could be:
RIC VII Constantinople 73 CONSA dot or RIC VII Constantinople 80 dot CONSA dot. Hard to say which being the dot could be cut off on flan- both are rated r2
Peter Wissing
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Valens- SECVRITAS REIPUBLICAE98 viewsValens, 28 March 364 - 9 August 378 A.D.
Obverse:
Pearl diademed draped and cuirassed bust right
D N VALENS P F AVG
DN: Dominus Noster, our lord
VALENS: Valens
P F: Pius Felix, Pious and happy
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE, the security of the republic
SECVRITAS: Security
REIPVBLICAE: Republic
Victory advancing left holding wreath and palm, star in left field and an A beneath.
Domination: Bronze, AE 3, Size 16 mm.
Mint: DASISC which is the Siscia and A is 1.st Officina. The * over A places the minting during 364-367. RIC IX Siscia 7b, type vii, number 1297 in Late Roman Bronze Coinage, Vol. 2.
Comment: As to why it is Valens and not Valentinian I. First the inscription on the obverse looks too short to be Valentinian. Second Valens used the A officinae at this time for the Securitas Reipublicae coins at this time while Valentinian used the mint.
Peter Wissing
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Constantine II- GLORIA EXERCITVS97 viewsConstantine II, 22 May 337 - March or April 340 A.D.
Obverse :
Laureate and cuirassed bust right
CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C
CONSTANTINVS: Constantine
IVN: Junior
NOB: Noble
C: Caesar
Reverse:
GLORIA EXERCITVS, the glory of the army
GLORIA: Glory
EXERCITVS: Army
Two soldiers holding spears and flanking two standards
Domination: Bronze AE 3, size 17 mm
Mint: SMHB, Heraclea Β (B= Beta, 2nd Officina)
I can't find officinae B from RIC so it could be unlisted in RIC. It should be in RIC VII 117 Heraclea.
Peter Wissing
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Constantius II- VOT XX MVLT XXX97 viewsConstantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.
Constantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.
Obverse:
Pearl-diademed head right
D N CONSTAN-TIVS P F AVG
D N: Dominus Noster, Our Lord
CONSTANTIVS: Constantius
P F: Pius felix
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
VOT XX MVLT XXX in wreath
Votis decennalibus (solutis), granting the request and obliged the vower to fulfil his promise for 20 years, and expecting 30 years more
VOT : Votis decennalibus (solutis),
X X: 20
MVLT: multis vicennalibus (susceptis),
XXX: 30
Domination: Bronze AE3, size 15 mm
Mint: ?
Peter Wissing
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Valentinian I- Gloria Romanorvm94 viewsValentinian I, 25 February 364 - 17 November 375 A.D.
Obverse:
Pearl diademed draped and cuirassed bust right
DN VALENTINI-ANVS PF AVG
DN: Dominus Noster, our lord
VALENTINI-ANVS: Valentianus
PF: Pius Felix, Pious and happy
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
GLORIA RO-MANORVM Z B across fields, The glory of Rome
GLORIA: Glory
RO-MANORVM: Rome
Z: Serie number
B: Beta, second Officina
Emperor advancing right, head left and dragging captive with right hand, holding (labarum) standard decorated with chi-rho in left
Domination: Bronze AE 3, size 20 mm
Mint: TES, Thessalonica, B= Beta second Officina.
RIC IX, Thessalonica 26(a); C.12. Then the r. revers field is not only A but should be star above B, making it a type xxxv of #26(a). Dated 24 Aug. AD 367-17 Nov. AD 375; rarity scarce.
Peter Wissing
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Valentinian I- SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE90 viewsValentinian I, 25 February 364 - 17 November 375 A.D.
Valentinian I was proclaimed emperor shortly after the death of Jovian in 364 A.D. Taking command of the Western provinces, Valentinian spent most of his reign combating the barbarian invasions along the Rhine frontier
Obverse:
Pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
D N VALENTINIANVS P F AVG
D N: Dominus Noster, our lord
VALENTINIANVS: Valentianus
P F: Pius Felix
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE, The security of the republic
SECVRITAS: Security
REIPVBLICAE: Republic
Victory advancing left holding wreath and palm.
Domination: Copper AE3, size 17 mm
Mint: Asis, Siscia A= Alpha First Officina.
Comment:
Mint is Siscia, but I cant make out the control marks on the fields, so it could be RIC 7a or RIC 15a
Peter Wissing
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Augustus89 viewsAugustus, 16 January 27 B.C. - 19 August 14 A.D.
Obverse:
Augustus with his bare head right
CAESAR AVGVST PONT MAX TRIBVNIC POT
CAESAR: Ceasar, emperor
AVGVST: Agustus
PONT MAX: Pontifix Maximus,
TRIBVNIC: Tribunicia, tribunal
POT: POTESTAS, the people
Reverse:
M MAECILIVS TVLLVS III VIR A A A F F
M: Marcus
MAECILLIS: Maelcilius
TVLLVS: Tullus
IIIVIR: Triumviri
AAAFF: Auro, Argento, Aeri, Flando, Feriundo,
S . C, Senatus Consultum
I think the dots were used as centering devices, one see them sometimes on Soldiers/Standards coins although on this coin it is certainly a large dot.
Domination: AS, Copper
Mint: Rome
The Roman Moneyers (or you may prefer the title of Mint Magistrates) were also responsible for the minting of gold, silver and bronze coinage and they reported to the Senate. They were known as the Triumviri Monetales or Triumviri Auro, Argento, Aeri, Flando, Feriundo which is abbreviated as III VIR. A.A.A. F.F. which may be translated as 'Commision (or college) of three men under whom gold, silver and bronze coins were struck'. (Note that the order of the metals varies according to different references.) The title 'III VIR. A.A.A. F.F.' occurs rarely on Republic coins and when it is present it is usually seen in an abbreviated form such as 'III VIR'. It is interesting to note that the full title occurs frequently on the reverses of Augustan Aes
The College of the Three Moneyers was a revived republican tradition. This coin was struck under the supervision of Marcus Salvius Otho, an ancestor of the future emperor Otho. Later, the number of members was increased to four, and their names were not included on the coins.
TRP = This is short for tribunicia potestate - "with the power of the Tribune of the Plebs." The government of Rome was split into the Patricians (who were Senators) and the Plebians. Nine Tribunes of the Plebs were elected by both Plebs and Patricians every year to be in charge of the Plebian assembly. These Tribunes could not be injured because it could be punishable by death. They had veto powers, and they could prevent a law from being passed or an election. An emperor cannot technically rule on the Plebian assembly since he is a Patrician, but by taking the title he could be free from injury. On a coin, if this symbol is followed by a number, it depicts how many times he has been elected Tribune of the Plebs.
Peter Wissing
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Constantine The Great- Posthumous commemorative Aequitas88 viewsConstantine the Great, early 307 - 22 May 337 A.D.
Obverse:
Constantine with veiled bust right
DV CONSTANTI-NVS PT AVGG
DV: Divus, Divine (acclaimed a deity), Divus was applied to consecrated deceased rulers.
CONSTANTI-NVS: Constantine
PT: Pather, farther (is used with AVGG)
AVGG: Augustus, more than one emperor
Reverse:
IVST VENER MEMOR
IVST: IVSTITA, The personification of justice.
VENER: Venerabilis (revered memory)
MEMOR: MEMORIA, memory
IVST (JUST) means just in the sense of fair, so the legend means "justly venerated memory".
VENER MEMOR/ VNMR (revered memory) was used on the consecration coins of Constantine the Great.
Aequitas standing left holding scales and a scepter. She's also winged on this coin.
Domination: Bronze, AE 4, Size 14 mm. Posthumous commemorative for Constantine the Great
Mint: SMALΓ, Alexandria, Oficina=Γ Gamma (3rd Oficina). The choices for this time period at Alexandria are - A /α (Alpha, first), B /β (Beta, second), (Gamma/Γ, third) and (Delta /Δ,forth).
The coin is dedicated to Constantine The Great by one of his sons from 341 to 347AD
The attribution is RIC VIII Alexandria 28, minted in 345-347. RIC rates the coin as merely "scarce", but perhaps that's rather an understatement!
Peter Wissing
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Arcadius- Virtus Exerciti88 viewsArcadius, 19 January 383 - 1 May 408 A.D.
Obverse:
Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
D N ARCADI-VS P F AVG
DN: Dominus Noster, our lord
ARCADIVS: Arcadius
PF: Pius Felix, Pious and happy
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
VIRTVS EXERCITI, Victory of the army. Referring to the courage of the army
VIRTVS: Victory
EXERCITI: Army
Emperor standing left, head right, holding spear and shield, Victory right crowns him
Domination: Bronze AE 3, size 15 mm.
Mint: ANTΓ, Antioch,Γ Officina Gamma (Gamma, 3. rd), struck 395-401 A.D. RIC X 70
Comment:
This type was struck AD 395-401 for Arcadius and Honorius in Heraclea, Constantinopolis, Nicomedia, Cyzicus, Antiochia and Alexandria.
Peter Wissing
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Constantine The Great- Marti87 viewsConstantine the Great, early 307 - 22 May 337 A.D.
Obverse:Laureate and cuirassed bust right
CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
CONSTANTINVS: Contantine
PF: Pius Felix,
AVG: Agustus,
Reverse:
MARTI CONSERVATORI
MARTI: Mars
CONSERVATORI: Preserver
Showing: Mars with helm, in military dress, and with the cloak spead out. Mars stands left and lokks right. Mars holds a reverse spear in right hand ond a shield in on the ground at left. There is a T at left and F at left across the reverse.
Domination: Follis, Bronze, size 20 mm
Mint: PTR-- (Prima) , TR (Trier)
Peter Wissing
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Constantine II- CampGate87 viewsConstantine II, 22 May 337 - March or April 340 A.D.
Obverse:
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C
CONSTANTINVS: Constantine
IVN: Junior
NOB: Noble
C: Caesar
Reverse
PROVIDENTIAE CAESS
PROVIDENTIAE: The foresight of our
CAESS: Emperors
Campgate with two turrets, 6 layers stones, star above,
Domination: Copper AE 3, 18- 19 mm
Mint: SMHΔ (Fourth Officina)in ex; Heraclea, mint year 325-326, RIC 77 p.551.
Peter Wissing
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Commodus- Jupiter86 viewsCommodus, March or April 177 - 31 Dec 192 A.D.
Obverse:
Laureate head right
M COMMODVS ANT P FELIX AVG BRIT
M: Marcus
COMMODVS: Commodus
ANT: Antoninus, Antoninus
PFELIX: Pius Felix,
AVG: Augustus,
BRIT: Britannicus
Reverse:
IOVI IVVENI P M TR P XIIII IMP VIII COS V P P S—C
IOVI: Jupiter
IVVENI: Young
P M: Pontifix Maximus, ypperste præst
TRP: Tribunicia Potestas, folkets tribunat
XIIII: 14
IMP: Imperator,
VIII: 8
COS: Consul,
V:
PP: Pater Patria,
S—C: Senatus Consulto
Showing: Jupiter with his head left, naked except for cloak hanging from shoulder: Jupiter holding thunderbolt and sceptre, and there is a eagle at left foot. There is an S at left and an C right for Jupiter.
Domination: Sestertius, Orichalcum, size 30 mm
Mint: Rome
TRP = This is short for tribunicia potestate - "with the power of the Tribune of the Plebs." The government of Rome was split into the Patricians (who were Senators) and the Plebians. Nine Tribunes of the Plebs were elected by both Plebs and Patricians every year to be in charge of the Plebian assembly. These Tribunes could not be injured because it could be punishable by death. They had veto powers, and they could prevent a law from being passed or an election. An emperor cannot technically rule on the Plebian assembly since he is a Patrician, but by taking the title he could be free from injury. On a coin, if this symbol is followed by a number, it depicts how many times he has been elected Tribune of the Plebs.Peter Wissing
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Aurelian- RESTITVT ORIENTIS85 viewsAurelian, August or September 270 - October or November 275 A.D.
Radiate draped bust right
Obverse:
IMP AVRELIANVS AVG
IMP: Imperator
AVRELIANVS: Aurelianus
AVG: Augustus,
Reverse:
RESTITVT: Restoration
ORIENTIS: Orientis
Aurelian standing left facing woman, holding sceptre and receiving wreath from her
Domination: AE Antoninianus, 20 mm, Bronze
Mint: *T, Siscia in Italy.
Peter Wissing
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Agrippa- Anepigraphic82 viewsAgrippa – 63- 12 BC, Military commander and friend of Augustus
Obverse:
Head left wearing a rostral crown.
M.(Marcus) AGRIPPA L.F. (Lucius Filius = son of Lucius) COS. III (Consul for the third time.)
M:Marcus
L.F: Lucius Filius = son of Lucius
COS. III: Consul for the third time
Agrippa he wears a crown on his head which is decorated by prows of (war)ships, a so-called 'rostral crown' probably given to him to honour him as a fleetcommander during the battle of Actium, the decisiove battle in which Octavian defeated Marc Antony and Cleopatra.
Reverse:
S—C, Senatus Consulto
The reverse is 'anepigraphic' without text, apart from S.C. (Senatus Consulto = by approval of the Senate) Neptune holds a trident and has a dolphin on his outstretched hand. Neptune too is a reference to the sea and Agrippa's nautical carreer.
Domination: AS, Copper, 29 mm
Mint: Rome. This AS of Agrippa is struck under Caligula.
AGRIPPA
63 - 12 BC
Roman General
Agrippa was the companion of Octavian by the time Caesar was murdered in 44 BC. Agrippa was Octavian's most brilliant military commander. He defeated Pompeius in two naval battles and was responsible for for Octavian's victory over Mark Antony. When Octavian became emperor under the name Augustus Agrippa was second only to the emperor in authority. He suppressed rebellions, founded colonies and built an extensive road-network throughout the Roman empire.
Peter Wissing
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Constantine The Great- Romulus and Remus81 viewsConstantine the Great, early 307 - 22 May 337 A.D.
Obverse:
Helmeted bust of Roma left wearing imperial mantle
VRBS ROMA: VRBS City, ROMA Rome, City of Rome
City of Rome Commemorative, 334 - 335 A.D.
Reverse:
Romulus and Remus suckling from wolf, two stars above
Domination: Bronze AE 3, 17 mm
Mint: exergue is • Γ SIS• Sisicia 3.rd Officina (Γ Gamma). RIC VII Siscia 222, C3, very common.
Coin rated: Very Fine
Peter Wissing
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Constans Gloria Exercitvs81 viewsConstans, 9 September 337 - 19 January 350 A.D.
Obverse: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
DN CONSTANS P F AVG, Our Lord and emperor Constans Pious and happy
DN: Dominus Nostre, Our Lord
CONSTANS: Constans
PF: PIUS FELIX, Pious and happy
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse
GLORIA EXERCITVS, The glory of the army
GLORIA: Glory
EXERCITVS: Army
Two soldiers holding spears and shields on ground flanking standard,
Domination: Bronze AE 4, 15 mm.
Mint: SMNA, Nicomedia, RIC VIII Nicomedia 12, rated scarce.
Peter Wissing
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Licinius I- Soli Invicto Comiti80 viewsLicinius I, 11 November 308 - 18 September 324 A.D.
Obverse:Laureate draped and cuirassed bust right
IMP LICINIVS PF AVG
IMP: Imperator
LICINIVS: Licinius
P F: Pius Felix
AVG:Augustus
Reverse:
SOLI INVICTO COMITI
SOLI: Sol
INVICTO: Undefeatble
COMITI:??
Showing: Sol standing left, raising hand and holding globe, chlamys across left shoulder, S - F across fields.
Domination: Follis, Copper, size 19 mm
Mint: R * S, R (Rome) S (Secunda Oficina). There is a star between R and S.
Alternately ally and adversary of Constantine was Licinius
(Augustus 308-324 AD). Licinius controlled the East but was
represented also on coins from Constantine's western mints.
IMPLICINIVS PF AVG is just one of several legend varieties found for this ruler but all will include the title Augustus. Sol, the unconquerable sun god and comrade of the emperor (SOLI INVICTO COMITI), was most popular in the years immediately preceding the conversion of the Empire to Christianity. He is shown as a nude male wearing a radiate crown and holding a globe. The mintmark PARL combines the workshop letter P (primus) and the first three letters of the mint name. Code letters in the field (here SF) identify the issue (therefore date) of the coins. While some mint/issue combinations are rare and desired by specialists, Sol coins are generally very common.
Peter Wissing
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Constantine The Great- Posthumous commemorative Quadriga80 viewsConstantine the Great, early 307 - 22 May 337 A.D.
Obverse:
Constantine I with veiled bust right
DV CONSTANTI-NVS PT AVGG
DV: Divus, Divine (acclaimed a deity), Divus was applied to consecrated deceased rulers.
CONSTANTI-NVS: Constantine
PT: Pather, farther (is used with AVGG)
AVGG: Augustus, more than one emperor
Reverse:
Constantine The Great, veiled, in quadriga right, star above, the hand of God reaches down to him.
Domination: Bronze AE 4, size 15-16 mm
Mint: SMAN= Antioch, S (S= Secunda Oficina). Minted 337-340 AD. RIC VIII, 37, Rated C3.
Posthumous commemorative for Constantine the Great
Comment:
It might not be an S on exergue, but a ς (stigma), 6th officina.
East provinces, like Antiochia, used greek numerals.
Peter Wissing
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Constantine The Great- Posthumous Commemorative Quadriga80 viewsConstantine the Great, early 307 - 22 May 337 A.D.
Obverse:
Constantine The Great with veiled bust right
DV CONSTANTI-NVS PT AVGG
DV: Divus, Divine (acclaimed a deity), Divus was applied to consecrated deceased rulers.
CONSTANTI-NVS: Constantine
PT: Pather, farther (is used with AVGG)
AVGG: Augustus, more than one emperor
Reverse:
Constantine The Great, veiled, in quadriga right, star above, the hand of God reaches down to him.
Domination: Bronze AE 4, size 15 mm
Mint: SMH= Heraclea, Officina??, RIC VIII Heraclea 13
Posthumous commemorative for Constantine the Great
Peter Wissing
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Allectus- Pax Avg80 viewsAllectus, summer 293 - 296 or 297 A.D.
Obverse:
Radiate draped and cuirassed bust right
IMP: Imperator, leader of the army
C: Caes
ALLECTVS: Allectus
P F: Pius Felix, Pious and happy
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
PAX AVG, the divine peace
PAX: Peace
AVG: Divine
Pax standing left holding scepter and branch
Domination: Bronze antoninianus, Size 16 mm.
Mint: Cologne or Camolodunum mint
Comment: The coin is 'Barbarous'. It's so well established, unfortunately, that we're stuck with it. It refers to coins struck unofficially during times of shortage, which would be comparable with the tokens which circulated in Britain in the late 18th-eatly 19th centuries at a time when there was a shortage of copper coinage. The term 'barbarous' comes from an old, now discredited, idea that they were struck by 'barbarians' outside the empire.
Peter Wissing
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Catene- Apollo- ISIS77 viewsI think it's a coin of Katane (Sicily). Apollo head left on obverse, Isis on reverse.
Possibly a hexas, SNG ANS 1284 if around 3-3.5 g and 16-17 mm
I can only add that the coin is probably dated after 212 BC and depicts Isis holding a bird. Below the bird the sign II, the sign of value. Isis cult was very strong in Katane.
“Isis came to the island from the sea with the armies sent by Syracuse who conquered Katane in the year 476 BC, thus changing the city's name to Aitna.”
A well known obelisk in modern Catania bears hieroglyphs identifying the goddess Isis, but probably this was brought to Catania by Romans only on 30 BC from Egypt.
Peter Wissing
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Constantius II- Fel Temp Raparatio77 viewsConstantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.
Pearl-diademed draped and cuirassed bust right
Obverse:
D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG,
D N: Dominus Noster, our lord
CONSTANTIVS: Constantinus
P F: Pius Felix, Pious and happy
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
FEL TEMP REPARATIO, happy times are here again. Soldier spearing fallen horseman
FEL: Happy
TEMP: Time
REPARATIO: Restoration
Domination: Bronze AE3, size 16 mm
Mint: CONS Γ, Constantinopolis, Γ 3.rd Officina (Perhaps the last letter could be a Gamma), RIC VIII, Thessalonica 192; LRBC 1683; struck 25. Dec. 350-6. Nov. 355; Scarce
The reverse type is F3 stretching.
Peter Wissing
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Constantine the Great- CONSTAN-TINOPOLIS75 viewsConstantine the Great, early 307 - 22 May 337 A.D.
Obverse:
CONSTAN-TINOPOLIS, helmeted, laureate and mantled bust left holding scepter across shoulder
City of Constantinople Commemorative, 335 A.D.
Reverse:
Victory standing left on ship, holding scepter and resting hand on shield
Domination: Bronze AE 3, 17 mm
Mint: exergue is TRP Trier.
Comment:
I'm not so sure on this one, but assuming that the reverse fields are emypty (which they seem to be), I see these three possibilities
Mintmark
TRP Trier RIC VII Trier 523, r3
TRP dot Trier RIC VII Trier 530, c3
TRP* Trier RIC VII Trier 548, c3
Coin rated: Very Fine
Peter Wissing
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Constantine The Great- IOVI Conservatori74 viewsConstantine the Great, early 307 - 22 May 337 A.D.
Obverse:Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust
IMP C FL VAL CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
IMP : Imperator,
C: Caesar
FL: Flavius
VAL: Valentinus
CONSTANTINVS: Constantine
P F: Pius Felix ,
AVG: Augustus,
Reverse:
IOVI CONSERVATORI
IOVI: Jupiter
CONSERVATORI: Preserver
Showing: Jupiter standing left with chlamys,naked, holding Victory on a globe & scepter, eagle left with wreath in it's beak & bound captive right at foot, XIIΓto right (XIIΓ=12.5), and star above.
Domination: Bronze, AE3 size 18 mm
Mint: SMK-- Cyzikus-- ∆ (Alpha)
Peter Wissing
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Constantine II- Virtvs Avgvsti74 viewsConstantine II , 22 May 337 - March or April 340 A.D.
Obverse:
Laureate, cuirassed bust right.
VICCONSTANTINVSAVG
VIC: The conqueror
CONSTANTINVS: Constantine
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
VIRTVSAVGVSTI, The braveness of the emperor
VIRTVS: Braveness
AVGVSTI: The emperor
Constantine II standing, facing, holding spear and resting hand on shield.
Domination: Bronze, size 13 mm
Exe: RP, mint Rome 337-340, 1 st. officina
RIC VIII Rome 4. the exergue is R leaf (probably P) rated as common and it was issued between 9 Sept 337- April 340
The P stands for the officina (P is "prima" or first officina) The leaf stands for nothing more (that I know of) than the Romans penchant for using marks from nature. Lots of marks from nature are employed...leafs, branches, trees etc. Of course there is liable to be plenty of symbolism that we do not recognize.
Additional information:
http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/comm/comm.html
Though RIC calls them common, they're a) not common and b) mostly struck so poorly on wretched little flans that they're hard to read and attribute. Your piece, despite the hardly legible exergue, is well above average!
Peter Wissing
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Constantine II- GLORIA EXERCITVS74 viewsConstantine II, 22 May 337 - March or April 340 A.D.
Obverse :
Laureate and cuirassed bust right
CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C
CONSTANTINVS: Constantine
IVN: Junior
NOB: Noble
C: Caesar
Reverse:
GLORIA EXERCITVS, the glory of the army
GLORIA: Glory
EXERCITVS: Army
Two soldiers each holding spear and shield and flanking one standard with Chi-Rho
Domination: Bronze AE 3, size 17 mm
Mint: PLG Prima Lugdunum (Prima= 1st Oficina). Minted before 340 AD. Ref. Lyons VIII Lyons 6. Rarity: Common (C).
Peter Wissing
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Constantine II- Beata Tranqvillitas73 viewsConstantine II, 22 May 337 - March or April 340 A.D
Obverse:
Laureate and cuirassed bust right
CONSTANTINVS IVN NC
CONSTANTINVS: Constantine
IVN: Junior
N C: Noble Ceasar
Reverse:
BEATA TRANQVILLITAS
BEATA: Divine
TRANQVILLITAS: Peace
Showing: BEATA TRANQVILLITAS, altar inscribe VO/TIS / XX surmounted by globe, three stars above, C left, R right
Domination: Bronze, AE 3, size 20 mm
Mint: PLC, Lugdunum .Oficina ???
The uneasy peace that followed was celebrated on coins with the legend BEATA TRANQVILLITAS ("The blessed tranquillity"), subsequently abbreviated to BEAT TRANQLITAS, showing an altar inscribed VOTIS XX. Above the altar is a globe, signifying that the whole world was at peace, but not for long. An invading force of Sarmatians under their king Rausimondus were defeated in the province of Pannonia and celebrated on coins of Constantine with SARMATIA DEVICTA ("Sarmatia conquered"). At the same time the two Caesars, Crispus and Constantine Junior celebrated their Quinquennalia on coins with a laurel wreath enclosing the words VOT X and legend CAESARVM NOSATRORVM ("our Caesars"). The vows were suscepta, five years completed and looking forward to the tenth anniversary. A second war against the Visigoths occupied most of AD 323, before Constantine embarked on his final showdown with Licinius, ending with the defeat of Licinius at Chrysopolis in AD 323. Licinius survived until AD 325, when he was executed by Constantine.
Peter Wissing
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Arcadius- SALVS REIPVBLICAE73 viewsArcadius, 19 January 383 - 1 May 408 A.D.
Obverse:
Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
D N ARCADI-VS P F AVG
DN: Dominus Noster, our lord
ARCADIVS: Arcadius
PF: Pius Felix, Pious and happy
AVG: Augustus, emperor
There seems to be a double strike close to his face, or some faults of the engraver.
Reverse:
SALVS REIPVBLICAE, The health of the republic
SALVS: Health
REIPVBLICAE: Republic
Victory advancing left, trophy over shoulder in right, dragging captive with left
Domination: Copper AE 4, size 14 mm.
Mint: SMK(gamma); Cyzicus; (Gamma) 3.rd Officina. RIC IX : 26c (Cyzicus).
Peter Wissing
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Constantius II- SPES REIPVBLICE71 viewsConstantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.
Obverse:
Head right, bust draped, cuirassed, and perl-diademed.
DN CONSTAN-TIVS PF
DN: Dominus Noster
CONSTAN-TIVS: Constantius
PF: Pius Felix
Reverse:
SPES REI-PVBLICE
SPES: Faith/ hope
REI-PVBLICE: Republic
Emperor helmeted in military dress standing left holding globe in right and spear in left
Domination: Bronze, AE 4, size 15 mm
Mint: ANB, Antiochia. In RIC VIII it is listed as Antiochia 193; dated 6 Nov.355-3 Nov.361; scarce
Peter Wissing
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Constans- Victoriae Avg71 viewsConstans, 9 September 337 - 19 January 350 A.D.
Obverse:
Head right and pearl-diademed
D N CONSTANS P F AVG
D N: Dominus Noster, Our Lord, in the context of our lord and ruler of the Roman people.
CONSTANS: Constans
P F: Pius Felix
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
Victoria AVG
Constans, 9 September 337 - 19 January 350 A.D.
Obverse:
Head right and pearl-diademed
D N CONSTANS P F AVG
D N: Dominus Noster, Our Lord, in the context of our lord and ruler of the Roman people.
CONSTANS: Constans
P F: Pius Felix
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
Victoria AVG
Victoria: Victory
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Victory standig left, holding laurel wreath and branch.
Domination: Bronze, AE 4, size 14 mm,
Mint: It starts with SM, so Constantinopolis is doubtful. SMALA I think is too long for the space
Browsing through RIC VIII I found the following possibilities:
RIC VIII, Heraclea 43; ex. SMHA
RIC VIII, Constantinopolis 64; ex. CONSA
RIC VIII, Nicomedia 47; ex. SMNA
RIC VIII, Cyzicus 37; ex. SMKA
RIC VIII, Antiochia 66; ex. SMALA
Comments:
0. The Victory sticks out, and the lettering on the reverse is extremely odd.
1. The overall style seems (to me) a little off.
2. There seems to be a raised edge or lip.
3. While Victory is in high relief, the exergue line and most of the exergue are not there.
4. As Evan noted; the style of the legend.
5. Such a long neck this constans..
While any of these things by themselves probably wouldn’t raise any of my doubts, together they do. I could be totally off here but I just have a bad feeling about this one.
Peter Wissing
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Constantine The Great- Posthumous Commemorative VNMR70 viewsConstantine the Great, early 307 - 22 May 337 A.D.
Obverse:
ConstantineThe Great with veiled bust right
DV CONSTANTI-NVS PT AVGG
DV: Divus, Divine (acclaimed a deity), Divus was applied to consecrated deceased rulers.
CONSTANTI-NVS: Constantine
PT: Pather, farther (is used with AVGG)
AVGG: Augustus, more than one emperor
Reverse:
VN MR (VENER MEMOR) across the reverse side of the coin.
VENER MEMOR
VENER: Venerabilis (revered memory)
MEMOR: MEMORIA, memory
VENER MEMOR/ VNMR (revered memory) was used on the consecration coins of Constantine the Great.
Constantine The Great, veiled and right, raising hand.
Domination: Bronze AE 4, size 13 mm
Mint: SMHΓ = Heraclea Γ= Gamma (Third Officina). Struck 347-348, RIC VIII
Posthumous commemorative for Constantine the Great
Peter Wissing
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Constantine The Great- GLORIA EXERCITVS69 viewsConstantine the Great, early 307 - 22 May 337 A.D.
Obverse:
Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG
CONSTANTINVS: Constantine
MAX: Maximus, the great
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
GLORIA EXERCITVS, the glory of the army
GLORIA: Glory
EXERCITVS: Army
Two soldiers, each holding spear and shield on ground, flanking two standards
Domination: Bronze AE 3, diameter 18 mm
Mint: SMTSB, Thessalonica mint, 330 - 333 A.D, RIC VII Thessalonica 183. C
Comment: I am not sure about exe.
Peter Wissing
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Constantine The Great- CampGate67 viewsConstantine the Great, early 307 - 22 May 337 A.D.
Obverse:
Laureate head right
CONSTAN-TINVS AVG
CONSTAN-TINVS: Constantine
AVG. Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG, The foresight of our emperors
PROVIDEN-TIAE: Foresight
AVGG: Emperors
Campgate with two turrets, 6 layers stones and star above.
Domination: Bronze AE 3, size 18 mm
Mint: TR…, Officina ?? Treveri /Trier
Peter Wissing
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Constans- GLORIA EXERCITVS67 viewsConstans, 9 September 337 - 19 January 350 A.D.
Obverse: Pearl diademed draped and cuirassed bust right
CONSTANS AVG
CONSTANS: Constans
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse
GLORIA EXERCITVS, The glory of the army
GLORIA: Glory
EXERCITVS: Army
Two soldiers holding spears and shields on ground flanking standard,
Domination: Bronze AE 4, 14 mm.
Mint SMALΔ Egypt, Alexandria mint, after 340 A.D. Officina Δ delta, (fourth Officina). RIC VIII 20 of Alexandria / Late Roman Bronze Coinage # LRBC 1463
Peter Wissing
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Valentinian I- Reparatio Reipvblicae66 viewsValentinian I, 25 February 364 - 17 November 375 A.D.
Obverse:
Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
IMP VALENTIANVS PF AVG
IMP, Imperator
DIOCLETIANVS, Diocletianus
PF, PIUS FELIX,
AVG: Augustus
Reverse:
REPARATIO REIPUBLICAE
REPARATIO: Restoretion
REIPUBLICAE: Republic
Showing: Emperor holding with his left hand a woman i her hand, and holding Victoria with globe in his right hand
Domination: Follis, Copper, size 23 mm
Mint: SMAQ ( Aquileia) P (Prima Oficina)
Peter Wissing
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Constantius II Fel Temp Reparatio66 viewsConstantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.
Obverse:
Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
D N CONSTAN - TIVS P F AVG
D N: Dominus Noster, our lord
CONSTANTIVS: Constantinus
P F: Pius Felix, Pious and happy
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
FEL TEMP RE - PARATIO / happy times are here again
FEL: Happy
TEMP: Time
REPARATIO: Restoration
Soldier spearing fallen horseman.
Domination: Bronze AE3, size 14 mm
Mint: Ale Γ Alexandria, 3 Officina (Γ Gamma= 3) struck 348-351 AD.
Comment:
According to Helvetica's spreadsheets it should be Alexandria 82 (Constantius II).
And ALE in exergue, and only 14 mm and RIC 44 and 80 are both bigger I'm pretty sure about this Alexandria 82
Peter Wissing
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Constans- VOT65 viewsConstans, 9 September 337 - 19 January 350 A.D.
Obverse:
Pearl-diademed head right
D N CONSTANS PF AVG
D: Dominus,
N: Nostror,
CONSTANS: Contans
PF: Pius Felix,
AVG: Augustus,
Reverse:
VOT : 'Votis decennalibus (solutis),
X X: 20
MVLT: multis vicennalibus (susceptis),
XXX: 30
Showing:VOT XX MVLT XXX in wreath
Domination: Bronze, AE 4, size 15 mm
Mint: Antioch.Oficina ???
Vota (plural of votum). A vow made to a god in order to obtain a divine favour stipulated in advance. The granting of the request obliged the vower to fulfil his promise. This usually took the form of a sacrifice to the deity or an offering to his (or her) temple. Public vota in Imperial times were normally for the welfare of the emperor over a stated period of time (five or ten years) and were regularly undertaken (vota suscepta) and hopefully paid (vota soluta). Sometimes they were more specific, relating to the safety of the emperor on a particularly hazardous journey or military campaign, or the current state of his health. The undertaking and fulfillment of these public vows was frequently recorded on the coinage and in the late Empire especially may provide useful evidence for the chronological arrangement of issues
Peter Wissing
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Constantine The Great- Beata Tranqvillitas65 viewsConstantine the Great, early 307 - 22 May 337 A.D.
Obverse:
Laurete and cuirassed bust right
CONSTANTINVS AVG
CONSTANTINVS: Constantine
AVG: Augustus
Reverse:
BEATA TRANQVILLITAS
BEATA: Divine
TRANQVILLITAS: Peace
Showing: BEATA TRANQVILLITAS, altar inscribe VO/TIS / XX surmounted by globe, three stars above, C left, R right
Domination: Copper, AE 3, size 18-19 mm
Mint: PLC, Lugdunum. RIC VII 131, R4, minted 321.Oficina ???
The uneasy peace that followed was celebrated on coins with the legend BEATA TRANQVILLITAS ("The blessed tranquillity"), subsequently abbreviated to BEAT TRANQLITAS, showing an altar inscribed VOTIS XX. Above the altar is a globe, signifying that the whole world was at peace, but not for long. An invading force of Sarmatians under their king Rausimondus were defeated in the province of Pannonia and celebrated on coins of Constantine with SARMATIA DEVICTA ("Sarmatia conquered"). At the same time the two Caesars, Crispus and Constantine Junior celebrated their Quinquennalia on coins with a laurel wreath enclosing the words VOT X and legend CAESARVM NOSATRORVM ("our Caesars"). The vows were suscepta, five years completed and looking forward to the tenth anniversary. A second war against the Visigoths occupied most of AD 323, before Constantine embarked on his final showdown with Licinius, ending with the defeat of Licinius at Chrysopolis in AD 323.
Peter Wissing
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Constantius II- Fel Temp Reparatio65 viewsConstantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.
Obverse:
pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
D N CONSTAN - TIVS P F AVG
D N: Dominus Noster, our lord
CONSTANTIVS: Constantinus
P F: Pius Felix, Pious and happy
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
FEL TEMP RE - PARATIO / CONSA, happy times are here again
FEL: Happy
TEMP: Time
REPARATIO: Restoration
Soldier spearing fallen horseman. In left field Γ (dot)
Domination: Bronze AE3, size 16 mm
Mint: Constantinopolis, Centenionalis, struck 346-354 AD.
Peter Wissing
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Constantius II- Fel Temp Reparatio64 viewsConstantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.
Pearl-diademed draped and cuirassed bust left holding globe in right hand
obverse:
D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG,
D N: Dominus Noster, our lord
CONSTANTIVS: Constantinus
P F: Pius Felix, Pious and happy
AVG: Augustus, emperor
reverse:
FEL TEMP REPARATIO, happy times are here again
FEL: Happy
TEMP: Time
REPARATIO: Restoration
Constantius standing left holding standard (chi rho Christogram banner) and resting left hand on shield, two captives kneeling at feet on left
Domination: Bronze Centionalis AE2, size 23mm
Mint: The exergue should be CONSA* (A Aplha 1. st Officina) or CONSB* (B Beta 2 rd. Officina) or CONS Γ * (Γ 3.rd Officina). Its RIC VIII Constantinople 89, rated common.
Peter Wissing
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Constantius II Gloria Excercitvs64 viewsConstantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.
Pearl diademed head right
Obverse:
CONSTAN-TIVS AVG
CONSTAN-TIVS: Constantius
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS
GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS :The glory of the army
Two soldiers helmeted, standing facing one another, reversed spear in outer hands, inner hands on shields resting on the ground; between them one standard.
omination: Bronze AE3, size 14 mm
Mint: SMKA Cyzikus, ( A alpha) is the 1st officina. RIC VIII, Cyzicus 17, rated R.
Peter Wissing
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Constantine II- Gloria Exercitus64 viewsConstantine II, 22 May 337 - March or April 340 A.D.
Obverse :
Laureate and cuirassed bust right
CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C
CONSTANTINVS: Constantine
IVN: Junior
NOB: Noble
C: Caesar
Reverse:
GLORIA EXERCITVS, the glory of the army
GLORIA: Glory
EXERCITVS: Army
Two soldiers holding spears and flanking two standards
Domination: Bronze AE 3, 17 mm
Mint: Siscia εSIS (ε= epsilon 5. Th Officina, SIS= Siscia
Peter Wissing
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Commodus- Hercules63 viewsCommodus, March or April 177 - 31 Dec 192 A.D.
Obverse:
Laureate head right
M COMMODVS ANTON AVG PIVS
M: Marcus
COMMODVS: Commodus
ANTON: Antoninus, Antoninus
AVG: Augustus,
PIVS: Pius,
Reverse:
TR P VIIII IMP VI COS IIII P P, S C
TRP: Tribunicia Potestas,
VIIII: 9
IMP: Imperator,
VI: 6
COS: Consul,
IIII: 4
PP: Pater Patria,
S—C: Senatus Consulto,
Showing: Hercules standing left, head at right and with clob and bow.
Domination: AS, Copper, size 25 mm
Mint: Rome
TRP = This is short for tribunicia potestate - "with the power of the Tribune of the Plebs." The government of Rome was split into the Patricians (who were Senators) and the Plebians. Nine Tribunes of the Plebs were elected by both Plebs and Patricians every year to be in charge of the Plebian assembly. These Tribunes could not be injured because it could be punishable by death. They had veto powers, and they could prevent a law from being passed or an election. An emperor cannot technically rule on the Plebian assembly since he is a Patrician, but by taking the title he could be free from injury. On a coin, if this symbol is followed by a number, it depicts how many times he has been elected Tribune of the Plebs.
Peter Wissing
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Crispina- IVNO LVCINA63 viewsCrispina, wife of Commodus, Augusta 178 -182 A.D.
Obverse:
CRISPINA AVGVSTA, draped bust right, hair knotted in a bun in back
CRISPINA AVGVSTA
CRISPINA: Crispina
AVGVSTA: Augusta
Reverse:
IVNO LVCINA S C,
IVNO: Juno, goddess
LVCINA: Light
S C: Senatus Consulto
IVNO LVCINA (Goddess of light) S C, Juno standing left, holding patera (a bowl used to pour libations) and scepter
Domination:Middlle Bronze, Orichalcum Sstertius/ Dupondius, 25 mm
Mint: RomPeter Wissing
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Constantius I- Concordia Militium63 viewsConstantius I, May 305 - 25 Jul 306 A.D.
Obverse:
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
FL VAL CONSTANTINVS NOB CAES
FL: Flavius
VAL: Valentinus
CONSTANTINVS:
NOB: Noble
CAES: Caes
Reverse:
CONCORDIA MILITVM
CONCORDIA: Concord
MILITVM: Military
Constantius standing right receiving victory on globe from Jupiter standing left.
Domination: Copper post-reform radiate, AE 3, Size 21 mm.
Mint: ALE for Alexandria. Officiana marking could be either A (Alpha first Oficina) or Δ = Delta is fourth Oficina. Rarity listed as C
I would venture to say it is RIC 48a of Alexandria struck 296-297
Peter Wissing
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Constantine The Great- City of Rome Commemorative63 viewsConstantine the Great, early 307 - 22 May 337 A.D.
Obverse:
City of Rome Commemorative, 330 - 338 A.D.
Helmeted bust of Roma left wearing imperial ornamental mantle, visored and crested helmet.
VRBS ROMA, The City of Rome
VRBS: City
ROMA: Rome
Comment:
Much less common than the wolf and twins reverse type.
Reverse:
GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS, The glory of the army
GLOR-IA : Glory
EXERC-ITVS: Army
Two soldiers standing facing one another, each holding spear and resting hand on shield on ground, standard in center.
Domination: Bronze AE4, size 15-16 mm
Mint: the last letter its a Δ (Delta, fourth Officina) , if thats so.. RIC VIII Heraclea 28, rated S. 330-333 or 335.
Comments:
There are three possible mints for this coin. It all depends on the third letter.
SMH( ) - Heraclea
SMN( ) - Nicomedia
SMK( ) - Cyzicus
Heraclea had 5 officinae working at this time. Nicomedia had 4 and Cyzicus had 6.
Peter Wissing
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Constans- VOT62 viewsConstans, 9 September 337 - 19 January 350 A.D.
Obverse:
Pearl-diademed head right
D N CONSTANS PF AVG
D: Dominus,
N: Nostror,
CONSTANS: Contans
PF: Pius Felix,
AVG: Augustus,
Reverse:
VOT : 'Votis decennalibus (solutis),
X X: 20
MVLT: multis vicennalibus (susceptis),
XXX: 30
Showing: VOT XX MVLT XXX in wreath
Domination: Bronze, AE 4, size 15 mm
Mint: Antioch.Oficina ???
Vota (plural of votum). A vow made to a god in order to obtain a divine favour stipulated in advance. The granting of the request obliged the vower to fulfil his promise. This usually took the form of a sacrifice to the deity or an offering to his (or her) temple. Public vota in Imperial times were normally for the welfare of the emperor over a stated period of time (five or ten years) and were regularly undertaken (vota suscepta) and hopefully paid (vota soluta). Sometimes they were more specific, relating to the safety of the emperor on a particularly hazardous journey or military campaign, or the current state of his health. The undertaking and fulfillment of these public vows was frequently recorded on the coinage and in the late Empire especially may provide useful evidence for the chronological arrangement of issues
Peter Wissing
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Constantius II- Victoria61 viewsConstantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.
Obverse:
Rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
CONSTANTI - VS PF AVG
CONSTANTI – VS: Constantius
PF: Pius Felix
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
VICTORIAE DD AVGGQ NN
'The victories of our lords the emperors'
VICTORIAE: Victories
DD: Dominus Noster
AVGGQ: emperors
NN: Nost—Nostrorvm
Note - Doubled letters used as plurals, e.g. one ruler is AUG and two agusti AUGG, one Caesar is CAES and two is CAESS, or D N vs D D N N where N N is read as "our".
Two victories facing one another, each holding a wreath and palm frond, dot in center.
Domination: Bronze AE3/4, size 15 mm,
Mint: SMTS Δ = Thessalonica, Δ = Delta is fourth Oficina in ex. Dated 347-348; rarity C2.
RIC VIII, Thessalonica 99; LRBC. 859
Ex Aiello Collection. The center dot is a remnant from using a compass for centering during the die engraving process. Center dots such as this are not considered part of the design and are not included in RIC descriptions.
Comments:
RIC 100 is not possible, for that would be CONSTANS - PF AVG. And for the dot as mint symbol there is no information in RIC. I think it is only a centration dimple.
On Dane's spreadsheet she indicates a dot in the center for some issues and other issues have double dots. For example RIC IX, 57 does indicate the dots and double dots.
Here is what Hill and Kent, in Late Roman Bronze Coinage has to say about the dot between the two Victories:
The central dot which is sometimes regarded as a distinguishing sign of a separate mint-mark seems to be merely operational, such as those which are frequently seen in this and the Gloria (two standards) types.
Peter Wissing
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Constans- Fel Temp Reparatio61 viewsConstans, 9 September 337 - 19 January 350 A.D.
Obverse:
Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
D N CONSTANS P F AVG
D N: Dominus Noster, Our Lord
CONSTANS: Constans
P F: Pius Felix
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
FEL TEMP REPARATIO, restoration of happy times
FEL: Times
TEMP: Happy
REPARATIO: Restoration
Constans standing left in Galley, holding labarum and Phoenix on globe, Victory seated in stern steering ship
Domination: Bronze AE 3, size 18 mm
Mint: TESB, Thessalonica, B= Beta ( 2th Officina). Struck 337-340 A.D. RIC 120
Peter Wissing
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Constantius Gallus- Fel Temp Reparatio61 viewsConstantius Gallus, Caesar 28 September 351 - winter 354 A.D.
Constantius Gallus was a cousin of Constantius II and was made Caesar in 351 A.D. He was given command of the Eastern provinces while Constantius II was in the West. His rule was so harsh and cruel that Constantius recalled him to Milan, and then had him arrested and executed before he reached Italy.
Obverse:
Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
DN CONSTANTI-VS NOB CAES
DN: Dominus Noster, our lord
CONSTANTI-VS: Constantius
NOB: Noble, nobel
CAES: Caesar
Reverse
FEL TEMP – REPARATIO, Happy times are here again
FEL: Felix, happy
TEMP: Time
REPARATIO: Restoration
Gamma in left field, the Gamma in field is a control mark.
Large soldier lunging to spear small horseman (Persian) who is leaning back to ward of the spear as his horse is tumbling over his head. The horseman has lost his shield on the ground right.
Domination: Bronze AE , size 21 mm
Mint: ANH, Antioch, RIC # 137, listed as common, struck 350-355
Peter Wissing
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Arcadius- Virtus Exerciti 61 viewsArcadius, 19 January 383 - 1 May 408 A.D.
Obverse:
Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
D N ARCADI-VS P F AVG
DN: Dominus Noster, our lord
ARCADIVS: Arcadius
PF: Pius Felix, Pious and happy
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
VIRTVS EXERCITI, Victory of the army. Referring to the courage of the army
VIRTVS: Victory
EXERCITI: Army
Emperor standing left, head right, holding spear and shield, Victory left crowns him
Domination: Bronze AE 3, size 17mm.
Mint: Constantinople, struck 395-401 A.D. CONS [A,B, Γ, Δ] in exerge, so possibilities are as follow:
CONSA Constantinople RIC X 60
CONSB Constantinople RIC X 60
CONS gamma Constantinople RIC X 60
CONS delta Constantinople RIC X 60
CONS epsilon Constantinople RIC X 61
Peter Wissing
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Tetricus II- SPES PVBLICA60 viewsTetricus II, Caesar mid 271 - spring 274 A.D.
Obverse:Radiate draped and cuirassed bust right
The words CVS CAES being visible in front of the radiate bust of the youthful, unbearded male.
CVS CAES
CVS: C. Pivs Esuvius
CAES: Caes
C PIV ESV TETRICVS CAES IMP
C: Caius
PIV: Pius
ESV: Esuvius
TETRICVS: Tetricus
Caes: Caes
IMP: Imperator
Reverse:
SPES PVBLICA
SPES: Hope
PVBLICA: Repulic
Showing: Spes advancing left, holding flower in right and raising skirt with left.
Domination: Antoninianus, Bronze, size 18 mm
Mint: Gallic???
Caius Pius Esuvius Tetricus II was the son of the Governor of Aquitaine, in the breakaway Gallo-Roman Empire (Gaul, Spain, and Britain) established by Postumus. After Victorinus, the successor to Postumus, was murdered, Tetricus' father was acclaimed Tetricus I, Augustus. His father later elevated the young Caius to Caesar, but their reign was cut short, peacefully, when Tetricus deserted his own troops to surrender to Aurelian. In gratitude, Aurelian later restored Tetricus I as a Senator, and even installed him as Governor of Lucania, and Tetricus II returned to normal life, as a private citizen.
Peter Wissing
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Constantine The Great- IOVI CONSERVATORI60 viewsConstantine the Great, early 307 - 22 May 337 A.D.
Obverse:
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust
IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
IMP : Imperator,
C: Caesar
CONSTANTINVS: Constantine
P F: Pius Felix ,
AVG: Augustus,
Reverse:
IOVI CONSERVATORI
IOVI: Jupiter
CONSERVATORI: Preserver
Showing: Jupiter standing left with chlamys,naked, holding Victory on a globe & scepter, eagle left with wreath in it's beak & bound captive right at foot
Domination: Bronze folli, size 20 mm
Mint: . TS . Β . , Thessalonica Β (Beta is 2nd officina), RIC VII 19 Thessalonica,
317-318 AD
This type is interesting because although it features Jupiter (who you'd associate with the eastern emperors), it was actually issued by Constantine - Thessalonica being the only mint where Jupiter displaced Sol on his coins. This appears to be a case of "border politics" since Constantine had just aquired the territory including Thessalonica in his civil war with Licinius, and now wanted to make nice (as also witnessed by their joint elevation and recognition of the caesars).
One Could also lookout for this same type but with the title of "INV AVG" (INVictus = Invincible) for Constantine which appears to have been issued during wartime.
Peter Wissing
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Valentinian II- Reparatio Reipublicae59 viewsValentinian II, 17 November 375 - 15 May 392 A.D.
Obverse:
Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
DN VALENTIANVS PF AVG
DN: Dominus Noster
Valentianvs: Valentianus
PF, PIUS FELIX,
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
REPARATIO REIPUBLICAE, restore the republic
REPARATIO: Restore
REIPUBLICAE: Republic
Emperor standing half left, raising kneeling turreted woman with right hand and holding Victory on globe in left.
Domination: Copper, AE2, size 24 mm
Mint: SMAQ ( Aquileia) P (Prima Oficina). Minted 378-383, RIC IX Aquileia 30c.
Comment:
The quick way to tell Val I from Val II Is Val I has a fatter rounder head.
Peter Wissing
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Marcus Aurelius- Salus59 viewsMarcus Aurelius, 7 marts 161- 17 marts 180 A.D.
Obverse:
Marcus Aurelius with radiate head right.
IMP CAES M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG P M
IMP: Imperator, general
CAES: Caesar
M: Marcus
AVREL: Aurelius
ANTONINVS: Antoninus
AVG: Augustus, emperor
P M: Pontifix Maximus, high priest.
Reverse:
SALVTI AVGVSTOR TR P XVII S-C, COS III below the buste.
SALVTI: Salus
AVGVSTOR: Augustus, emperor
TR P: Tribunicia Potestate. The tribunician power, the emperor as civil head of the state.
XVII: 17
S-C: Senatus Consultum, by the decret of the senate.
COS III: Consul for the third time. One of the two chief magistrates of the Roman state, and often the emperor was one.
Salus standing left offering a patera to snake arising from altar, and holding sceptre
Comment: The reverse is Salus. If it was a male, the garment would not go all the way to the ground.
Domination: Orichalcum Dupondius, size 23 mm
Mint: Rome. The coin has been struck 162/163 AD. Cohen 568. RIC 846
Peter Wissing
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Aurelian- ROMAE AETERNAE59 viewsAurelian, August or September 270 - October or November 275 A.D.
Obverse:
Radiate and cuirassed bust right
IMP AVRELIANVS AVG
IMP: Imperator, leader of the army
AVRELIANVS: Aurelian
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse
ROMAE AETER, the eternal Rome
ROMAE: Rome
AETER: The eternal
Aurelian receives Victory from Roma seated on right, facing left on shield & holding sceptre
Domination: Bronze antoninianus, size 20 mm
Mint: Q which is Mediolanum. RIC 142
Peter Wissing
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Constantine II- VOT V59 viewsConstantine II , 22 May 337 - March or April 340 A.D.
Obverse:
Laureate bust right.
CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C
CONSTANTINVS: Constantine
IYN: Junior
NOB: Noble
C: Caesar
Reverse:
CAESARVM NOSTRORVM, our emperor
CAESARVM: Emperor
NOSTRORVM: Our
VOT V in wreath, Vows of the five years
Domination: Bronze AE 3, size 19 mm
Exe: The most common of them would be from Siscia, RIC VII Siscia 163, with ASIS* through to ESIS* in exe. RIC 163
In the Id- section there was a small funny discussion about Constantine being nude, and here is the final answer:
The conventional usage had better be kept, and is as Robert says. Sculpture shows that from the mid-1st century onward, a 'head' showing the naked shoulders (or after c. 100 the pectorals as well), is the 'short' equivalent to a nude or semi-nude (half-draped) statue: i.e., it is at least vaguely divinized. Often, both on the coins and on the sculptures, there was a bit of drapery on one shoulder, which would be the 'short' version of semi-nude. The point is that real, live Romans didn't go around that way; they even wore a tunic under the toga, and we know what they thought about bare feet!
But Head to r. is shorter than Heroic Bust to r. (which many wouldn't understand, anyhow) in listing coins. In discussing a coinage, of course, one may need to discuss some in terms of divinizing or heroizing, but in lists the 'Head' usage is established, more than established; besides, for the Republic it is accurate: family portraits were just heads with little more than the neck.
Pat L.
Peter Wissing
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Valens- GLORIA ROMANORVM59 viewsValens, 28 March 364 - 9 August 378 A.D.
Obverse:
Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
DN: Dominus Noster, our lord
VALENS: Valens
P F: Pius Felix, Pious and happy
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse :
GLORIA ROMANORVM, The glory of the Romans
GLORIA: Glory
ROMANORUM: The Romans
A: Alfa, first Officina
Emperor advancing right, looking left, dragging captive with right, standard in left
Diameter: Bronze AE 3, 18.mm
Mint: SMAQP = Aquileia, first officina. RIC IX 7(b)i(a)
Peter Wissing
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Constantius II- Fel Temp Reparatio58 viewsConstantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.
Obverse:
Pearl diademed draped and cuirassed bust right
DN CONSTANTIVS PF AVG
DN: Dominus Noster,
CONSTANTIVS: Constatius
PF: Pius Felix , den fromme og lykkelige
AVG: Augustus, kejser
Reverse:
FEL TEMP REPARATIO
FEL: Happy
TEMP: Times
REPARATIO: Restoration
Showing: Soldier spearing fallen horseman clutching horse's neck
Domination: Copper, AE 3, size 18 mm
Mint: SMK (Cyzicus)
Peter Wissing
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Diocletianus- Salvis58 viewsDiocletian, 20 November 284 - 1 March 305 A.D.
Obverse:Laureate head right
IMP DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG
IMP: Imperator
DIOCLETIANVS, Diocletianus
PF, PIUS FELIX,
AVG: Augustus,
Reverse:
SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART
Salvis Augustis et Caesaribus Karthago felix
Showing: Carthago standing left holding up fruits in both hands
Domination: Follis, Bronze, size 26 mm
Mint: A, Carthage
Peter Wissing
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Constantine The Great- Vot XX58 viewsConstantine the Great, early 307 - 22 May 337 A.D.
Obverse
Laureate head right
CONSTANTINVS AVG
CONSTANTINVS: Constantine
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse
D N CONSTANTINI MAX AVG, around wreath enclosing VOT / XX; Our Lord Constantine The Greart, Emperor, (VOT / XX ) Indicating 20 years of vows to the gods.
D N: Dominus Noster, our lord
CONSTANTINI: Constantine
MAX: Maximus, the Great
AVG: Emperor
VOT: Vota: Vows
XX: 20 years
Domination: Bronze AE 3, size 18 mm
Mint: RQ, Rome mint, Q= quarta fourth Officina, minted 321 A.D. RIC VII Rome 237 c3, considered VF (very Fine).
Peter Wissing
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Constantius II Victoriae DD Avgg NN58 viewsConstantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.
Obverse:
Rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
CONSTANTI - VS PF AVG
CONSTANTI – VS: Constantius
PF: Pius Felix
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
VICTORIAE DD AVGGQ NN
'The victories of our lords the emperors'
VICTORIAE: Victories
DD: Dominus Noster
AVGGQ: emperors
NN: Nost—Nostrorvm
Note - Doubled letters used as plurals, e.g. one ruler is AUG and two agusti AUGG, one Caesar is CAES and two is CAESS, or D N vs D D N N where N N is read as "our".
Two victories facing one another, each holding a wreath and palm frond, palm branch upright in centre field.
Domination: Bronze AE3, size 16 mm,
Mint: SIS Δ, Sisicia, Officina Δ= Delta 4, RIC VIII Siscia 194 rated c2
Peter Wissing
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Marcus Aurelius- Aequitas57 viewsMarcus Aurelius, 7 March 161- 17 March 180 A.D.
Obverse:
Bare head right
M ANTONINVS below bust,
M: Marcus
ANTONINVS: Antoninus
Reverse:
TR P XXII (or XXIII) IMP V COS III, BM 467 or 487, 168 or 169 AD.
TR P XXII (or XXIII): Tribunicia Potestate. The tribunician power, the emperor as civil head of the state.
IMP: Imperator
V: 5, imperator for the fifth time
COS III: Consul for the third time. One of the two chief magistrates of the Roman state, and often the emperor was one.
Comment:
L. Verus struck identical denarii with date TR P VIII or VIIII. But my obv. legend seems to begin M ANTONINVS below bust, not L VERVS.
When the title of 'imperator' occurs in this type of legend, it is often numbered. Mine has IMP V. This refers to an old custom of the Roman republic, the 'acclamatio imperatoria', in which a victorious general was acclaimed 'imperator' by the legions. In imperial times the emperor was the object of this honor. IMP V tells us the emperor was acclaimed imperator for the fifth time, which occured in 168 for Marcus Aurelius, together with Lucius Verus.
Aequitas seated and holding scales. It is an unusual type that appears only occasionally. Normally she is depicted standing not seated.
Domination: Silver, denarius, size 17mm
Mint: Rome
Peter Wissing
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Domitian- VIRTVTI56 viewsDomitian, 13 September 81 - 18 September 96 A.D.
Obverse:
Laureate bust right with aegis
IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XIII CENS PERP PP
IMP: Imperator, general
CAES: Caesar, emperor
DOMIT: Domitian
AVG: Augustus, emperor
GERM: Germanicus
COS: Consul
XIII: 8 or XVI
CENS: Censor
PERP: Perpetuus
PP: PATER PATRIAE, the farther of the country. A title given to him by the Senatus.
Reverse:
VIRTVTI AVGVSTI SC
VIRTVTI: Virtus
AVGVSTI: Augusti
S—C: Senatus Consulto, decret of the senate
Comment:
CENS PERP: The censor gave Vº Bº a certain works from the Senate (Censor Perpetuus / Censoria Potestate). Late in 85 A.D he made himself Censor Perpetuus (Censor for life), with a general supervision of conduct and morals.
Virtus standing right, left foot on a helmet, holding spear and parazonium (a dagger)
Domination: Copper, AS, size 28 mm
Mint: Rome, struck 87. A.D.
Comment:
I can't decide what number of TRP it is!
If the obverse legend is as follows, as I suggest:
a) IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XIII CENS PERP PP or
b) IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XVI CENS PERP PP
then it would be
a) RIC II, 356a; C.650; dated AD 87; common
b) RIC II, 409; C.658; dated AD 92-94; common
BTW XIII = 13, XVI = 16
Peter Wissing
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Valentinian II- SALVS REI PVBLICAE56 viewsValentinian II, 17 November 375 - 15 May 392 A.D.
Obverse:
Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
DN VALENTINI - ANVS PF AVG
DN: Dominus Noster, our lord
VALENTINIANVS: Valentinian
PF, PIUS FELIX, piteous and happy
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
SALVS REI PVBLICAE, Health of the republic
SALVS: Health
REI PVBLICAE: Republic
Victory advancing left, holding standard over shoulder and dragging captive
Domination: Copper, AE4, size 12 mm
Mint: Aquileia or Rome .
Comment:
This is the SALVS REI PVBLICAE type. This type was not struck for Valentininan I but only for Valentininan II. (and Theodosius I, Arcadius and Honorius). IF the obv. legend of the coin is broken DN VALENTINI - ANVS PF AVG then the mint is Aquileia or Rome. All other mints have unbroken obv. legends.
Source: Guido Bruck, Die spätrömische Kupferprägung, Graz/Austria 1961
Peter Wissing
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Aurelian- IOVI CONSER56 viewsAurelian, August or September 270 - October or November 275 A.D.
Obverse:
Radiate and cuirassed bust right
IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG
IMP: Imperator, leader of the army
C: Caes, caesar
AVRELIANVS: Aurelian
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
IOVI CONSER, Jupiter the conservator
IOVI: Jupiter
CONSER: Conservator
Aurelian standing right and holding scepter in left, receiving globe from Jupiter, standing left and holding scepter in left.
Domination: Bronze antoninianus, size 23 mm
Mint: Serdica with 'P' in the exergue. RIC 259 (scarce
Peter Wissing
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Claudius II Gothicus DIVO CLAVDIO56 viewsClaudius II Gothicus, September 268 - August or September 270 AD
Obverse:
Radiate head right
DIVO CLAVDIO
DIVO, god
CLAVDIO, Cladius
Dot in right field
Reverse:
CONSECRATIO
Showing: eagle standing left, head right
Domination: Antoninianus, Copper, size 17 mm
Mint: ???
The Helvetica tables list this as RIC V (1) 266 this also according to The helvetica is the same reference number for all mints..
It lists 2 dots below on the obverse , but my coin shows the dots to the right if I see them correctly
I'm still not sure on the mint it's either Lyons, Rome or Aquileia .
Comment: Consecratio. In the first and second centuries when a popular emperor or their family member dies, they were consecrated as gods. Their successors built a personality cult around the dead emperor, serving as chief priest, and often dedicating temples to the dead. In the third century this custom faded out as the Cristian era evolved. Some common types of these depict a cult item or temple of the deified emperor. Some include: a cart drawing the cult image of the deified emperor, an emperor throne, a funeral pyre, an eagle, altar or peacock
Peter Wissing
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Constantine II- Providentiae Caess-Campgate, Cyzikus55 viewsConstantine II, 22 May 337 - March or April 340 A.D.
Obverse:
Laureate and cuirassed bust left
CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C
CONSTANTINVS: Constantine
IVN: Junior
NOB: Noble
C: Caes
Reverse:
PROVIDENTIAE: Dedicated to the foresight of our Caes.
CAESS: 2 Caes
Showing: Campgate with two turrets, star above, 6 layers stones in the turrets.
Domination: AE 4, Bronze, size 18 mm
Mint: SMK E, SMK (Cyzikus) E (Epsilon,ε= 5)
Peter Wissing
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Severus Alexander- Providentia55 viewsSeverus Alexander, 13 March 222 - February or March 235 A.D.
Obverse:
Severus with bust draped, cuirassed right, with slight drapery on far shoulder and laureate.
IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG
IMP: Imperator, general
ALEXANDER: Alexander
PIVS: Pius
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
PROVIDENTIA AVG S-C
PROVIDENTIA: Providentia
AVG: Augustus, imperor
S-C: Senatus Consulto, by the decret of the senate
Providentia standing front holding two grain ears over modius & cornucopiae
Domination: Æ Sestertius, size 28 mm
Mint: Rome, struck 231-235 A.D. RIC IV/II, 642; C.503, sear 8014
Peter Wissing
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Constantius II- Gloria Exercitvs54 viewsConstantius- Gloria Exercitvs
Constantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.
Obverse:Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed head right
IMP CONSTANTIVS AVG
IMP: Imperator,
CONSTANTIVS: Constantius
AVG: Augustus
Reverse:
PROVIDENTIAE CAESS
PROVIDENTIAE: The foresight
CAESS: 2 Emperors
Showing: Two soldiers holding spears and shields on ground flanking standard. There is an “o” in the standard, which is typically for the period og Consantius II.
Domination: Bronze, size 16 mm
Mint: P (Prima) Const (Constatina)
Peter Wissing
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Probus- Sol Invicto54 viewsProbus, summer 276 - September 282 A.D.
Obverse:
Radiate and cuirassed bust right
IMP C M AVR PROBVS PF AVG
IMP: Imperator,
C: Caesar
M: Marcus
AVR: Aurelius
PROBVS: Probus
PF: PIUS FELIX,
AVG: Augustus,
Reverse:
SOLI INVICTO
Showing:Sol in a spread quadriga facing, radiate, cloak billowing out behind, raising right hand, holding whip in left,
Domination: Antoninianus, Bronze, size 24 mm
Mint: KA= Serdica Γ= Gamma,3.rd Oficina). RIC 861
Peter Wissing
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Constans- Victoriae AVGG54 viewsConstans, 9 September 337 - 19 January 350 A.D.
Obverse:
Rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
CONSTANS P F AVG
CONSTANS: Constans
P F: Pius Felix, Pious and happy
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse: Two Victories facing one another, each holding wreath and palm frond, D in center.
VICTORIAE DD AVGGQ NN
VICTORIAE: Victory
DD: Dominus Nostra, our lord
AVGGQ: two emperors
NN: Nost—Nostrorvm, our
Domination: Bronze AE3, size 16 mm
Mint: TRP, Trier mint, P= Prima Officina, 347-348 A.D
Note - Doubled letters used as plurals, e.g. one ruler is AUG and two agusti AUGG, one Caesar is CAES and two is CAESS, or D N vs D D N N where N N is read as "our".
According "Peter N. Schulten, Die Römische Münzstätte Trier", (Frankfurt 1974), page 31, is emission no. 53 (343 AD) marked like this (with the D in the middle).
Peter Wissing
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Valentinian I- SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE54 viewsValentinian I, 25 February 364 - 17 November 375 A.D.
Obverse
D N VALENTINI-ANVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
D N VALENTINIANVS P F AVG
D N: Dominus Noster, our lord
VALENTINIANVS: Valentianus
P F: Pius Felix
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse
SECVRITAS - REIPVBLICAE, Victory advancing left, wreath in right, palm frond in left
Across field: * / P left, M right
SECVRITAS: Security
REIPVBLICAE: Republic
Bronze AE 3, diameter 16.5 mm
The exergue:
ΔSISC, Siscia Δ= Delta fourth Officina gamma
ΓSISC, Siscia Γ= Gamma third oficina
Minted year: 24 Aug 367 - 17 Nov 375 A.D
Comment:
Mint is Siscia, but I cant make out the exe:
ΔSISC, Siscia Δ= Delta fourth Officina gamma
ΓSISC, Siscia Γ= Gamma third oficina
looks like Mintmark XVII on ric 9 page 141.
in the footnote he says he s noted a Β SIS.
it could be a ε SIS , which would make it a not in RIC
Peter Wissing
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Commodus- Denarius Victoria53 viewsCommodus, marts eller april 177 - 31 December 192
Obverse:
Commodus with laurete head right
M COMM ANT FEL AVG P BRIT
M: Marcus
COMM: Commodus
ANT: Antoninus, Antoninus
FEL: Happy
AVG: Augustus, emperor
P: Pius, pious
BRIT: Britannicus
Reverse:
SAEC FEL PM TR P XI IMP VII COS V PP
SAEC: Happy age, refers to the secular games
FEL: Felix, happy
PM: Pontifix Maximus, literally ”head priest”, the ruler´s title as supreme head of the roman religion.
TRP: Tribunicia Potestas, The Tribunician power, the emperor as civil head of the state.
XI: 11th time
IMP: Imperator, head of the army
VII: 7 th time
COS: Consul,
V: 5 th time
PP: Pater Patria, father of his country
Victoria standing right, foot on helmet, inscribing VO DE (VOTA DECENNALES, every 10 year) on a shield set on upon a palme.
Domination: Denarius, silver, size 18 mm
Mint: Rome, struck 183-184 A.D. RIC 101, type B.
TRP = This is short for tribunicia potestate - "with the power of the Tribune of the Plebs." The government of Rome was split into the Patricians (who were Senators) and the Plebians. Nine Tribunes of the Plebs were elected by both Plebs and Patricians every year to be in charge of the Plebian assembly. These Tribunes could not be injured because it could be punishable by death. They had veto powers, and they could prevent a law from being passed or an election. An emperor cannot technically rule on the Plebian assembly since he is a Patrician, but by taking the title he could be free from injury. On a coin, if this symbol is followed by a number, it depicts how many times he has been elected Tribune of the Plebs.
Peter Wissing
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Marcus Cipius Marci Filius- Denarius Victory52 viewsM. CIPI. M. F. 115-114BC.
Obverse:
The helmeted head of Roma (personification of "Minerva or Palas") is facing right with an X behind her neck; M. CIPI. M. F is written upwards in front of her face
M. Marcus
CIPI. Cipius
M. Marci
F. Filius
X: 10, value, but the value was actually 16 asses.
Reverse:
Victory in biga right with palm-branch in right hand and in left reins, rudder below which could be a symbol of the ruler.
Domination: Denarius, silver, size 16 mm
Mint: ROMA, and ROMA with a horizontal line above it in the exergue.
Sear 166,Crawford289/1,Sydenham 546
CIPIUS, a person who gave rise to the proverb " non omnibus dormio," was called Para-rem-lion (-n-apape7xcoi>), because he pretended to be asleep, in order to give facility to his wife's adultery. (Festus, s. v. Non omnibus dormio ; Cic. ad Fam. vii. 24.) There are two coins extant with the name M. CIPI. M. F. upon them, but it is not impossible that they may belong to the Cispia gens, as the omission of a letter in a name is by no means of uncommon ucurrence on Roman coins.
CISPIA GENS, plebeian, which came originally from Anagnia, a town of the Hernici. An ancient tradition related that Cispius Laevus, of Anagnia, came to Rome to protect the city, while Tullus Hostilius was engaged in the siege of Veii, and that he occupied with his forces one of the two hills of the Escmiline, which was called after him the Cispius mons, in the same way as Oppius of Tusculum did the other, which was likewise called after him the Oppius mons.
Peter Wissing
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Cladius II Gothicus- Fides Militum52 viewsClaudius II Gothicus, September 268 - August or September 270 A.D.
Obverse:
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
IMP CLAVDIVS P F AVG
IMP: Imperator
Cladivs: Cladius
PF: Pius Felix, Pious and happy
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
FIDES MILI, Fidelity of the army
FIDES: Fidelity
MILIT: Army
Fides standing left holding two ensigns.
Domination: Bronze Antoninianus, AE 3, size 18mm
Mint: Mediolanum struck 238-270 A.D. RIC 149, common.
Peter Wissing
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Constantius II- Fel Temp Reparatio52 viewsConstantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.
Pearl-diademed draped and cuirassed bust left holding globe in right hand
Obverse:
D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG,
D N: Dominus Noster, our lord
CONSTANTIVS: Constantinus
P F: Pius Felix, Pious and happy
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
FEL TEMP REPARATIO, happy times are here again.Soldier spearing fallen horseman
FEL: Happy
TEMP: Time
REPARATIO: Restoration
He is kind of indistinct in the photo but looks like he is looking back towards the spearman and reaching out.
Domination: Bronze AE3, size 16 mm
Mint: SMTSA, Thessalonika 1.st Officina, with M in the left field. Helvetica's spreadsheets indicate that the coin would be RIC 208.
Peter Wissing
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Salonina- Antoninianus PVDICITIA52 viewsSalonina, Augusta 254 - c. September 268 A.D., wife of Gallienus
Obverse:
Diademed draped bust right on crescent
SALONINA AVG
SALONINA: Salonina
AVG: Augustus, emperor
Reverse:
PVDICITIA
PVDICITIA: Pudicitia
Pudicitia standing left, raising veil and holding transverse sceptre
Pudicitia is the personification of modesty and chastity.
Q in right field:
Mints were often divided into different workshops, called officinae. Around about the middle of the 3rd century it became common for the officina number to be marked on coins - in this case officina 4. The mint of this coin was Rome, which at this time had 6 officinae, marked P, S, T, Q, V, VI.
Domination: Silver Antoninianus, size 18 mm.
Mint: Rome, Officina Q (Alpha, 4 th.), struck 260-268 A.D. RIC V/2, 24; C.92 (sole reign of Gallienus)
Comment:
It's Salonina, the wife of Gallienus.. One can identify her by her hair-do. The letter in the right field of the reverse is a Q. Because one can see the crescent under her bust, the denomination is Antoninianus. It is Pudicitia on the reverse due to is attitude and the V on the legend left.
Additional information can be found on Ed Flinn web site on Gallienus and his family.
My coin could (maybe be # 492 of the list).
Peter Wissing
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