Roman Coin Attribution Toolkit

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Roman Imperial Attribution 101
Identifying Common Late Roman Bronze Coins
Complete Guide To Uncleaned Ancient Coins
The Roman Type Set
Roman Mints and Officina
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If you cannot read the entire legend, you must use the “wildcard” characters below for letters you cannot read. If you enter a partial legend without "wildcard" characters the result will be a blank page.

Use % for groups of letters you cannot read.
Use an underscore ( _ ) for single letters you cannot read.
Use [ ] for any single letter within a specified range (for example, [A-F]) or set (for example, [BDPF]). Use this wildcard for letters that look alike when worn or poorly struck.
Use [ ^] for any single character not within the specified range (for example, [^A-F]) or set (for example, [^BDFP]). Use this wildcard when you are certain an obscure letter is not specific letters.

Examples:
IMPC% searches for all legends that begin with IMPC.
%RPP searches for all legends that end in RPP.
%DOMITIAN% searches for all legends that contain DOMITIAN.
IMPC%DOMI% searches for all legends that begin with IMPC, followed by any number of letters which contain DOMI.
_AGRIPPA% searches for all legends that have one letter then AGRIPPA followed by any number of letters.
DNIOHANNESP[PF]AVG searches for DNIOHANNESPFAVG and DNIOHANNESPPAVG.

Identifying Common Late Roman Bronze Coins
©2003 Scott Uhrick for Ancient Coins for Education, Inc
With Links Added to FORVM's Catalog and Helvetica's RIC Tables!

One of the most satisfying parts of working with ACE is going to a school where the students are well into cleaning their coins and helping the kids identify them. The skills I’ve picked up from cleaning a few thousand of these little bronze nuggets find their only useful outlet there, and my ego benefits greatly from having student after student come up with a coin they considered an unidentifiable slug and return to their friends with an attribution as to type or emperor. In the end very few are truly unidentifiable. The constantly repeated question is “How do you do it?” My less-than-helpful answer is always “pattern-matching”.

The fact is that the great majority of these coins are from a handful of Emperors, and these Emperors showed little variety in the designs they placed on their bronze coinage. The gold issues demonstrate a great deal more artistic effort (and no, you will never find one of those in these lots). Eighty percent of the coins you will come across fall into an identifiable set of Emperors and reverses and this guide is pointed toward helping identify those coins.

Part 1 – The Era of Constantine the Great, his Sons and Rivals (320 – 337 A.D.)

The main players – Constantine, Crispus, Constantine Jr., Constantius, Constans, Licinius and Licinius Jr.

OK – so only George Foreman has shown less originality in naming his sons.* It probably won’t surprise you that Constantine named his daughter “Constantia” (if you find one of her coins, call me at ‘203 790-1669’ - they are rarer than political scruples). Please note that the coins in this era identify Constantine as Augustus (“AVG”) and his sons as Caesars (“NOB C” or “NC”). This alone will help you ID coins of Constantine (the Great) vs. coins of his sons (the not-nearly-so-great).

*(George named all four of his sons “George”)

Obverses

a	b	c	d	e

Constantine	Crispus	Constantine Jr.	Constantius II	Constans
CONSTANTINVS P F AVG	CRISPVS NOB C	CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C	FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C	FL IVL CONSTANS NOB C

f	g	h	i	j

Licinius	Licinius Jr.	Constantinople Commemorative	Rome Commemorative	Delmatius
IMP LICINIVS AVG	LICINIVS IVN NOB C	CONSTANTINOPOLIS	VRBS ROMA	DELMATIVS (or DALMATIVS) NOB CAES

Hanniballianus

FL HANNIBALLIANO
REGI, Euphrates reclining reverse

For the purpose of ID’ing the person on the coin don’t pay too much attention to the titles (“FL”, “IVL”, etc…). Locate the name and look for the all-important “N” which makes the difference between “CONSTANTINVS” and “CONSTANTIVS”. Coins of Crispus and Constans are easier to pick out by counting the letters. Remember that the title of Augustus (“AVG”) was only granted to the children of Constantine after his death. A coin with the name of the child with the title “AVG” was minted after 337 (the year Constantine shuffled off this mortal coil. Went to meet his maker. Joined the choir invisible. Snuffed it, etc…).

Reverses

1	2	3	4	5

GLORIA EXERCITVS	CAESARVM NOSTRORVM VOT X	PROVIDENTIAE CAESS	IOVI CONSERVATORI CAESS	VICTORIAE LAET PRINC PERP VOT P R
The glory of the army	Because of the vows of our Caesars (pledged) for ten years (of service)	(Dedicated to) the foresight of our Caesars	(Dedicated to) Jove the preserver of the Caesars	The happy victories of the long-lived princes because of vows of the Roman people
Two soldiers standing beside one or two standards	The years of the vows commemorated within the dedication	A campgate with two turrets	Jupiter standing left holding Victory	Two Victories placing shield on altar – shield inscribed “VOT P R”

6	7	8	9	10

BEATA TRANQVILLITAS VOTIS XX	SOLI INVICTO COMITI	VIRTVS EXERCIT VOT XX	(ANEPIGRAPHIC) (Constantinople Commemorative)	(ANEPIGRAPHIC) (Rome Commemorative)
Blessed peace because of vows pledged for twenty years	(Dedicated to) our friend the invincible sun	The courage of the army because of vows pledged for twenty years	(ANEPIGRAPHIC)	(ANEPIGRAPHIC)
Altar inscribed “VOTIS XX”	Sol standing l. holding globe	Two captives seated at base of standard inscribed "VOT XX"	Victory walking l., foot on prow, holding scepter and leaning on shield	She-wolf standing left, head facing, Romulus and Remus below

Part 2 – The Era of The Heirs of Constantine (337 – 363)

After the death of Constantine his three remaining sons inherited the Empire. The eldest (Constantine) died trying to increase his share at the expense of his youngest brother. That brother (Constans) died in a revolt brought on by his religious and sexual eccentricities. The remaining son Constantius reigned for a respectable 24 years. His need for a co-ruler led him to elevate one of his few remaining relatives (Constantius Gallus)to the rank of Caesar. When Gallus didn’t work out Constantius had him executed and replaced with his only remaining cousin, Julian. Julian’s promotion worked out perhaps a little too well – Constantius died during a campaign to put down Julian’s rebellion. Julian lasted only two years before dying while campaigning against the Persians, and this tedious series of Constantines came to an end.

k	l	m	n

Posthumous commemorative for Constantine the Great	Constantine Jr.	Constantius II	Constans
DV CONSTANTINVS PT AVGG	CONSTANTINVS P F AVG	D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG	CONSTANS P F AVG

o	p	q

Constantius Gallus	Julian (as Caesar)	Julian (as Augustus)
D N CONSTANTIVS IVN NOB C	D N FL CL IVLIANVS NOB C	D N FL CL IVLIANVS P F AVG

It can be easy to confuse coins of Constantius II with those of Constantius Gallus. Coins of Constantius Gallus and Julian (while Caesar) never have a diadem (the jewel headband later Roman Emperors wore as a sign of royalty). With that as a guide one can often ID a coin with only a few letters showing.

I haven’t discussed coin size so far. All of the coins pictured above are ae3’s (“officially”, bronze coins from 17mm to 21mm, but these will sometimes be found a bit smaller). The coins you will usually find in uncleaned lots from the Constantine era will usually be of this size, although you will occasionally find some of the FEL TEMP series of the larger variety, up to 23mm.

Reverses

11	12	13	14

GLORIA EXERCITVS	FEL TEMP REPARATIO	VOT XX MVLT XXX	VICTORIAE DD AVGG Q NN
The glory of the army	The return of happy times	Because of vows, twenty years (already served) and with more vows, thirty.	The victories of our lords and emperors
Two soldiers standing beside one standards	Emperor standing rt., holding labarum, two captives at feet		Two Victories facing holding wreaths
These coins were minted for a few years at the end of Constantine’s reign and for a few years after he died.

15	16	17	18

FEL TEMP REPARATIO	FEL TEMP REPARATIO	FEL TEMP REPARATIO	FEL TEMP REPARATIO
The restoration of happy times	The restoration of happy times	The restoration of happy times	The restoration of happy times
Emperor standing l. in galley rowed by Victory, holding Victory and labarum	Phoenix w. wreath in beak standing r. atop pyre	Soldier walking r. leading child from hut beneath tree	Soldier spearing fallen horseman
			The most common coin found in uncleaned lots

Part 3 – The Post-Constantine Empire

After Julian the coins become more unimaginative and, in general, smaller. Valentinian begat Valens, Gratian and Valentinian II. Theodosius begat Arcadius and Honorius. And they all begat some pretty dull little coins.

r	s	t	u

Valentinian	Valens	Valentinian II	Gratian
D N VALENTINIANVS P F AVG	D N VALENS P F AVG	D N VALENTINIANVS P F AVG	D N GRATIANVS P F AVG
Reverses #19, 20		Reverses #23, 25, 22	Reverses #19,20, 21, 25

v	w	x	y

Theodosius I	Arcadius	Honorius	Theodosius II
D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG	D N ARCADIVS P F AVG	D N HONORIVS P F AVG	D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG
Reverses #21, 22, 23, 25	Reverses 21, 22, 23, 24, 26		Reverses #22, 24,

The difficult part of identifying coins from this era is telling Valentinian from Valens from Valentinian II, and telling Valentinian I from Valentinian II. In the chart above I list which reverses are usually found on the coins of which Emperor. It isn’t at all conclusive, but I hope it will help.

Reverses

19	20	21	22

SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE	GLORIA ROMANORVM	VOT V MVLT X	CONCORDIA AVGGG
The Security of the Republic	The Glory of the Romans	Because of vows, five years (already served), and with more vows, ten.	Concord Between the Three Augusti
Victory walking l.	Emperor walking r. holding labarum and dragging captive	These coins will commemorate various years – this is only an example	Constantinopolis seated facing, holding globe and scepter
Ae3	Ae3	Ae4	Ae3

23	24	25	26

SALVS REIPVBLICAE	GLORIA ROMANORVM	REPARATIO REIPVB	VIRTVS EXERCITI
The Health of the Republic	The Glory of the Romans	The restoration of the Republic	The Courage of the Army
Victory walking l., dragging captive and carrying trophy	Two (or three) emperors stg. facing, each holding spear and shield	Emperor standing l, holding Victory on a globe with right hand and raising kneeling woman with his left.	Victory standing l. crowning the Emperor standing facing, head r.
Ae4	Ae4	Ae2	Ae3

Note:
Ae2 = 21mm – 25mm
Ae3 = 17mm – 21mm
Ae4 = less than 17mm

Remember that these coins were hand made and so the sizes can vary somewhat.

Part 4 – Coins Commonly Found From Before the Constantine Era

Although coins from before the Constantine era sometimes appear in Uncleaned lots, they are so varied that producing a quick guide would be impossible. Two types of coins from this era crop up; antoninianii and follii, the antoninianii being by far the more common.

While the antoninianus (double denarius) had been around since 214 AD the coins we are likely to find in these lots are the silver-coated bronze antoninianii of the late Empire. Mostly these are from Aurelian, Probus, Gallienus and Claudius II.

z	aa	bb	cc

Aurelian	Probus	Gallienus	Claudius II
IMP AVRELIANVS AVG	IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG	GALLIENVS AVG	IMP C CLAVDIVS AVG

Reverses

Below are just a few of the more common reverses.

27	28	29	30

IOVI CONSERV	ORIENS AVG	CONCORDIA MILITVM	VICTORIA AVG
(Dedicated to) Jove the preserver	The rising Augustus	The unity (or concord) of the army	The victory of our Augustus
Jupiter standing l., presenting globe to Emperor standing right	Sol standing l., two captives at his feet	Jupiter standing l. offering Victory on a globe to Diocletian	Victory standing left holding laurel wreath and branch

Part 5 – Coins From the Byzantine Empire

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Eastern Empire continued the Roman traditions for another 1,000 years. Two types of coins from the Byzantines are often found in uncleaned lots; folles from the early Byzantine Empire and scyphate (cup-shaped) coins from the later Byzantine Empire. Again, these are just a few examples to give you an idea of where to look further.

dd	ee	ff	gg

Justinian follis	Justin II ½ follis	Manuel I scyphate	Latin Rulers scyphate (smaller imitative of Manual I scyphate)
D N IVSTINIAN P AV	Justin and Sophia, seated facing	Christ seated on throne, wearing nimbus	Christ seated on throne, wearing nimbus

31	32	33	34

Justinian follis	Justin II ½ follis	Manuel I scyphate	Latin Rulers scyphate
Large M, cross above, stars left and right, r (3rd officina) below, CON in exergue	Large “K”, “ANNO” to left, cross above, Regnal Year to right ("E"=5 or 569/70),TES (Thessalonica mint) below.	The Virgin (on r.) and Manuel (on l.) standing facing, Virgin crowning Emperor who holds labarum	The Virgin (on r.) and Manuel (on l.) standing facing, Virgin crowning Emperor who holds labarum

Part 6 – Miscellaneous Coins That Turn Up In These Lots

Two other types of cons need a little coverage, Roman Provincials and Barbaric Imitations.

Roman Provincials

Roman Provincial coins were minted by cities across the Empire which had been granted authority to mint their own bronze coins. Their legends are sometimes in Latin but more often in Greek. They range in size and can be as large as 30mm.

hh	35	36	37

Gordian III ae20 of Nicaea, Bithynia	NIKAI / EWN	P M S COL VIM	PROVINCIA DACIA
IMP C M ANT GORDIANVS AVG	two legionary eagles between two standards	Moesia standing left, between a bull and lion	Dacia standing between lion and eagle

Barbaric Imitations

Roman coins were so widely accepted that border areas assumed that only coins that looked Roman could be valid. So when the barbaric areas needed additional coins they made their own. If you find a coin which appears Roman but has an impossible legend (all “I”s for instance), it may be a barbaric imitation. The style is also usually very crude. Two examples:

ii	jj

Compare to #5	Compare to #23 (this coin is only 11 mm!)

Hope this helps. Please realize that a small guide like this can only help with the most common finds. In my lots I’ve found ancient Greek coins, Crusader coins, Arabic coins, a 1813 Austrian Kreuzer and ancient cast forgeries. Enjoy them! It is part of the fun!

Keep scrubbing,

Scott Uhrick

scott@joviel.com
www.joviel.com
(all coins from the author’s collection)
Many Thanks to Cathy Scaife for the Latin translations

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Helvetica's RIC Tables

POSTHUMOUS COINS Coins struck after the death of: Carus, Constantine I, Constantius I, Claudius Gothicus, Galerius Maximian, Helena, Gallienus, Mariniana, Maxentius, Maximianus Herculius, Maximinus, Nigrinian, Numerian, Quintillus, Quintus Julius Gallienus, Romulus, Tetricus, Theodora, Valerian I and II, Victorinus. Sorted according to reverse type. Includes bust types, sub-type descriptions and quick finder. Types include: Constantine in quadriga, Constantine VN-MR types, altars of all shapes and sizes, eagles doing all kinds of things, peacocks, lions walking left or right, shrines of all shapes and sizes
IOVI CONSERVATORI All IOVI CONS, CONSER, CONSERVAT and CONSERVATORI types. Includes bust types, notes, type finder and "additions and corrections" page. All types: Jupiter on his own or with a second person, with and without eagle, globes, captives etc. at foot, standing, sitting, with various objects in his hands. Folles, antoniniani, sestertii, dupondii and asses.
SPES REIPVBLICE SPES REI-PVBLICE and SPES REI-PVLICAE. Includes bust types and notes. Types: REIPVBLICE - Emperor standing left holding globe and spear, REIPVBILCAE - Emperor holding labarum and globe, right foot on captive.
GLORIA ROMANORVM All GLORIA ROMANORVM types except those covered in other lists below. Includes bust types, notes and "quick type finder." Types include Emperor dragging captive, emperor with globe, emperor on horseback, Empress (Eudoxia) enthroned, two emperors, three emperors, etc.
SALVS REIPVBLICAE Victory advancing left dragging captive and carrying a trophy over right shoulder. Includes Bust types and notes.
Victory Advancing Left Victory advancing left (usually with wreath and palm branch, sometimes with 2 wreaths) Legends usually SECVRITAS REIVBLICAE or VICTORIA AVG(GG). (No captives on this type! See above.)
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP Two Victories facing, inscribing shield over altar). Includes Bust types and notes.
VICTORIAE DD AVGGQ NN Two Victories facing, holding wreaths. Includes Bust types and notes.
VRBS ROMA Wolf and Twins
VOT (V, X, XV, XX, etc.) Sorted according to type. Includes bust types and notes.
GLORIA EXERCITVS Soldiers with 2 or 1 standards Includes Bust Types and Notes.
Campgates Various legends, usually PROVIDENTIAE AVGG or PROVIDENTIAE CAESS. Includes Bust Types and Notes.
FEL TEMP REPARATIO (Horseman) Soldier spearing horseman type. Includes Notes and bust types.
FEL TEMP REPARATIO (Other) All other types of FEL TEMP types except fallen horsemen (see above); galley, phoenix, captives being led out of huts, emperor kicking a captive, emperor with two captives, emperor on horseback, etc. Includes bust types and notes.

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Roman Mints and Officina

Starting around the middle of the 3rd century A.D., Roman mints began incorporating mint marks as a way to control actions of mint officials. In addition to the mint, the officina (or workshop) within the mint is often identified. If a problem was found on a particular series of coins (underweight for example), the coins could be traced to the offending mint and the officials held liable.

Mint marks are located on the reverse of the coin at the bottom in an area known as the 'exergue'. The exergue is visually set off from the rest of the reverse design by a line. In some cases, part of the mint mark (such as the officina or workshop) may be found in the body of the reverse design or even on the obverse field.

A mint mark was (in most cases) formed from three or four elements:
1. A letter P (Latin for money), M (Moneta) or SM (Sacra Moneta). Often these letters are omitted. In some mintmarks the abbreviated mint name is followed by PS (Pecunia Sacra). Mintmarks on gold coins often end with the letters OB (obryzium - refined or pure gold).
2. Mint city abbreviation (usually one to four letters, but up to seven).
3. Officina identification. Latin letter, a Greek letter or letters or a Roman numeral indicating the officina. Some officina symbols are listed in a table below. Sometimes the officina is omitted and sometimes it precedes the mint name abbreviation.
4. Series marks. Many mintmarks also include symbols such as dots, a crescent, or a branch, for example. These symbols probably indicate when the coin was struck and who was responsible for the workshop at that time.

The tables below will help determine the mint and officina for Roman coins.

Roman Mintmarks (Arranged in alphabetical order)
Mintmark	Mint (Modern Name)
A	Arelatum/Constantina (Arles, France)
AL	Alexandria, Egypt
ALE	Alexandria, Egypt
ALEX	Alexandria, Egypt
AMB	Ambianum (Amiens, France)
AMBI	Ambianum (Amiens, France)
AN	Antioch/Antiochia (Antakiyah, Syria)
ANT	Antioch/Antiochia (Antakiyah, Syria)
ANTOB	Antioch/Antiochia (Antakiyah, Syria)
AQ	Aquileia, Italy
AQOB	Aquileia, Italy
AQPS	Aquileia, Italy
AQVI	Aquileia, Italy
AQVIL	Aquileia, Italy
AR	Arelatum/Constantina (Arles, France)
ARL	Arelatum/Constantina (Arles, France)
AVG	Londinium (London, England)
AVGOB	Londinium (London, England)
AVGPS	Londinium (London, England)

BA	Barcino (Barcelona, Spain)

C	Camulodunum (Colchester, England)
C	Clausentum (Bitterne, England)
C	Constantinopolis (Istanbul, Turkey)
CL	Camulodunum (Colchester, England)
CL	Clausentum (Bitterne, England)
CP	Constantinopolis (Istanbul, Turkey)
COM	Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece)
COMOB	Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece)
CON	Arelatum/Constantina (Arles, France)
CONST	Arelatum/Constantina (Arles, France)
CON	Constantinopolis (Istanbul, Turkey)
CONS	Constantinopolis (Istanbul, Turkey)
CONSP	Constantinopolis (Istanbul, Turkey)
CONOB	Constantinopolis (Istanbul, Turkey)
CVZ	Cyzicus (Kapu Dagh, Turkey)
CVZIC	Cyzicus (Kapu Dagh, Turkey)
CYZ	Cyzicus (Kapu Dagh, Turkey)
CYZICEN	Cyzicus (Kapu Dagh, Turkey)

H	Heraclea (Eregli, Turkey)
HER	Heraclea (Eregli, Turkey)
HERAC	Heraclea (Eregli, Turkey)
HERACI	Heraclea (Eregli, Turkey)
HERACL	Heraclea (Eregli, Turkey)
HT	Heraclea (Eregli, Turkey)

K	Carthage/Carthago (near Tunis, North Africa)
K	Cyzicus (Kapu Dagh, Turkey)
KAR	Carthage/Carthago (near Tunis, North Africa)
KART	Carthage/Carthago (near Tunis, North Africa)
KON	Arelatum/Constantina (Arles, France)
KONSTAN	Arelatum/Constantina (Arles, France)
KV	Cyzicus (Kapu Dagh, Turkey)
KVZ	Cyzicus (Kapu Dagh, Turkey)
KY	Cyzicus (Kapu Dagh, Turkey)

L	Londinium (London, England)
LD	Lugdunum (Lyons, France)
LG	Lugdunum (Lyons, France)
LI	Londinium (London, England)
LN	Londinium (London, England)
LON	Londinium (London, England)
LVG	Lugdunum (Lyons, France)
LVGD	Lugdunum (Lyons, France)
LVGPS	Lugdunum (Lyons, France)

MD	Mediolanum (Milan, Italy)
MDOB	Mediolanum (Milan, Italy)
MDPS	Mediolanum (Milan, Italy)
MED	Mediolanum (Milan, Italy)
ML	Londinium (London, England)
MLL	Londinium (London, England)
MLN	Londinium (London, England)
MN	Nicomedia (Izmit, Turkey)
MOST	Ostia (Port of Rome)
MSL	Londinium (London, England)

N	Nicomedia (Izmit, Turkey)
NIC	Nicomedia (Izmit, Turkey)
NICO	Nicomedia (Izmit, Turkey)
NIK	Nicomedia (Izmit, Turkey)

OES	Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece)
OST	Ostia (Port of Rome)

PLG	Lugdunum (Lyons, France)
PLN	Londinium (London, England)
PLON	Londinium (London, England)
PK	Carthage/Carthago (near Tunis, North Africa)

R	Rome, Italy
RAV	Ravenna, Italy
RM	Rome, Italy
ROM	Rome, Italy
ROMA	Rome, Italy
ROMOB	Rome, Italy
RV	Ravenna, Italy
RVPS	Ravenna, Italy

S	Siscia (Sisak, Croatia)
SD	Serdica (Sophia, Bulgaria)
SER	Serdica (Sophia, Bulgaria)
SERD	Serdica (Sophia, Bulgaria)
SIR	Sirmium (near Mitrovica, Kosovo)
SIRM	Sirmium (near Mitrovica, Kosovo)
SIROB	Sirmium (near Mitrovica, Kosovo)
SIS	Siscia (Sisak, Croatia)
SISC	Siscia (Sisak, Croatia)
SISCPS	Siscia (Sisak, Croatia)
SM	Sirmium (near Mitrovica, Kosovo)
SMAL	Alexandria, Egypt
SMAN	Antioch/Antiochia (Antakiyah, Syria)
SMAQ	Aquileia, Italy
SMBA	Barcino (Barcelona, Spain)
SMH	Heraclea (Eregli, Turkey)
SMK	Cyzicus (Kapu Dagh, Turkey)
SMN	Nicomedia (Izmit, Turkey)
SMR	Rome, Italy
SMSD	Serdica (Sophia, Bulgaria)
SMTR	Treveri (Trier, Germany)
SMTS	Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece)

T	Ticinum (Pavia, Italy)
TE	Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece)
TES	Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece)
TESOB	Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece)
TH	Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece)
THS	Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece)
THES	Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece)
THSOB	Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece)
TR	Treveri (Trier, Germany)
TRE	Treveri (Trier, Germany)
TROB	Treveri (Trier, Germany)
TRPS	Treveri (Trier, Germany)
TS	Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece)

VRB ROM	Rome, Italy

Roman Mintmarks (Arranged by Mint)
Mint	Dates of Operation	Mintmarks
Alexandria, Egypt	294 - 421 and 457 - 474 A.D.	AL, ALE, ALEX, SMAL (Notes: Issued currency for the province before becoming a regular imperial mint. Reopened by the Byzantines 525 -646 A.D.)
Ambianum (Amiens, France)	350 - 353 A.D.	AMB, AMBI
Antioch/Antiochia (Antakiyah, Syria)	217 - 611 A.D.	AN, ANT, ANTOB, SMAN (Notes: Struck local issues prior to becoming an imperial mint.)
Aquileia, Italy	294 - 324 and 334 - 430 A.D.	AQ, AQOB, AQPS, AQVI, AQVIL, SMAQ
Arelatum/Constantina (Arles, France)	313 - 475 A.D.	A, AR, ARL, CON, CONST, KON, KONSTAN (Notes: In 328 Arelatum was renamed Constantina in honor of Constantine II. After Constantine II was killed in 340, the name reverted to Arelate, only to be changed again in 354 to Constantina by Constantius II. It retained that name, although the mintmark 'AR' appeared on some of its coins even in the fifth century.)
Barcino (Barcelona, Spain)	409 - 411 A.D.	BA, SMBA (Notes: Mint city for the usurper Maximus)
Camulodunum (Colchester, England)	c. 287 - 296 A.D.	C, CL (Notes: Hosted a mint under the British Roman emperors Carausius and Allectus.)
Clausentum (Bitterne, England)	287 - 296 A.D.	C, CL (Notes: Hosted a mint under the British Roman emperors Carausius and Allectus.)
Carthage/Carthago (near Tunis, North Africa)	296 - 307 and 308 - 311 A.D.	K, KAR, KART, PLK
Constantinopolis (Istanbul, Turkey)	326 - 1453 A.D.	C, CP, CON, CONS, CONSP, CONOB
Cyzicus (Kapu Dagh, Turkey)	260 - c. 475 A.D.	CVZ, CVZIC, CYZ, CYZICEN, KV, KVZ, KY, SMK
Heraclea (Eregli, Turkey)	291 - c. 474 A.D.	H, HER, HERAC, HERACI, HERACL, HT, SMH (Notes: HT abbreviates Heraclea Thracica.)
Londinium/Augusta (London, England)	287 - 325 and 383 - 388 A.D.	AVG, AVGOB, AVGPS, L, LD, LG, LI, LN, LON, LVG, LVGD, LVGPS, ML, MLL, MLN, MSL, PLN, PLON (Notes: Londinium was renamed Augusta c. 325 A.D. Coins minted under Magnus Maximus, 383 -387 A.D. use the AVG mintmarks.)
Lugdunum (Lyons, France)	15 B.C. - c. 90 A.D., 195 -196, and c. 254 - 423 A.D.	PLG (Notes: Struck under the usurper Clodius Albinus, 195 - 196 A.D.)
Mediolanum (Milan, Italy)	c. 250 - c. 275 and 364 - 475 A.D.	MD, MDOB, MDPS, MED (Notes: Theodoric, the Gothic king of Italy minted coins at Mediolanum, 493 to 526 A.D.)
Nicomedia (Izmit, Turkey)	294 - c. 474 A.D.	MN, N, NIC, NICO, NIK, SMN (Notes: reopened as a Byzantine mint, 498 - 627.)
Ostia (Port of Rome)	308-313 A.D.	MOST, OST (Notes: The mint was transferred to Ostia from Carthage and then transferred from Ostia to Arelate.)
Ravenna, Italy	404 - 475 A.D.	RAV, RV, RVPS
Rome, Italy	c. 289 - 40 B.C. and 20 B.C. - 476 A.D.	R, RM, ROM, ROMA, ROMOB, VRB ROM, SMR
Serdica (Sophia, Bulgaria)	272 -282, 303-308 and 313 -314 A.D.	SD, SER, SERD, SMSD
Sirmium (near Mitrovica, Kosovo)	320 - 326, 351 - 364, 379 and 393 - 395 A.D.	SIR, SIRM, SIROB, SM
Siscia (Sisak, Croatia)	260 - c. 390 A.D.	S, SIS, SISC, SISCPS
Thessalonica (Salonika, Greece)	298 or 299 - c. 460 A.D.	COM, COMOB, OES, SMTS, TE, TES, TESOB, TH, THES, THS, THSOB, TS (Notes: Closed during the reign of Leo I, 457-474 A.D.)
Ticinum (Pavia, Italy)	c. 274 - 326 A.D.	T
Treveri (Trier, Germany)	294 - 395, 408 - 413 and c. 430 A.D.	SMTR, TR, TRE, TROB, TRPS

Officina Numbers
1st	I, P (for prima), PRIMA, A (alpha), OFF P (officina prima)
2nd	II, S (for secunda), SECVNDA, B (beta), OFF S (officina secunda)
3rd	III, T (for tertia), TERTIA, C, G (gamma)
4th	IIII, Q (for quarta), QVARTA, D, D (delta)
5th	V, E (epsilon)
6th	VI, V (stigma - archaic Greek letter resembling S)
7th	VII, Z (zeta)
8th	H (eta)
9th	N, Q (theta), DE (delta epsilon)
10th	X, I (iota)
11th	XI, IA (iota alpha), AI (alpha iota)
12th	XII, IB (iota beta), BI (beta iota)
13th	IG (iota gamma), GI (gamma iota)
14th	ID (iota delta), DI (delta iota)
15th	IE (iota epsilon), EI (epsilon iota)

Sources for Roman Mints and Officina:

Roman Mintmarks and Mints (used by permission), by Norman R. Ray of Ancient Impressions (http://www.ancientimpressions.com/mints.htm)

Moneta, The Roman Imperial Software, by Numus

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Esty's Guide to Late Roman AE Coin Types, AD 364-450

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