Justinian I 16-nummi Thessalonica

[Abu Galyon]

A simple question this, which only serves to display my nearly total ignorance. The 16-nummi coins from Thessalonica during the reign of Justinian I all have a reverse with prominent letters AISP. I presume the S is really a digamma ( ) so the IS letters are the symbols for 16. But what do the A and P (Rho?) letters designate?

Bill R

[joma-tk]

But what do the A and P (Rho?) letters designate?

Bill R

It is not really clear.
The most accepted interpretations are:
1. "Antiquo Pontere", which is translated to "old metric-weighting system".
2. "Argyria" This word in Greek could be used as we today use € or $. The coin should be called "16 argyria".
3. "Arca Praefectoria" which means " the treasury of the Praetorian Prefect" of Illyricum
Your choice
tk

PS I am between 1 and 2...

[Abu Galyon]

2. "Argyria" This word in Greek could be used as we today use € or $. The coin should be called "16 argyria".

Thanks, tk. Helpful as ever. But in the sort of Greek I was taught an argyriov would have to be made of silver. Had the meaning changed by the sixth-century?

Bill R

[joma-tk]

Literally you are right. Argyros=silver.
But this word in Greek sometimes had a wider meaning, indicating money in general...
Nothing -as already said- is sure though.
tk