Section8 Magnentius - R. Augustus PDF

498
Magnentius was one of the generals under the command of
Magnentius Constans. Early in the year 350 he gathered that the tide of wars
was turning against the dominion of the Constantines and declared
himself emperor. On hearing of the news Constans was
dispossessed and took flight. He found temporary shelter in a
Augustus 350-353 temple he hoped would be his sanctuary. Magnentius sent a few of
his men for him, tracked him down then breached the temple and
murdered him. The rule of the whole western empire was now under his control. Constantius II was thousands of
miles away embroiled in a difficult war with the Parthians in Syria and it took several months to hear of what
happened out west. He had the difficult choice of following through with this war or take care of the dangerous
usurpation of Magnentius. He decided to sign a hasty peace treaty with the Parthians which ceded vast sections
of territory and zoomed westwards to deal with Magnentius. For his part, Magnentius tried in vain to seek a
diplomatic solution to the problem with Constantius as he wanted to avoid an open armed conflict with his army at
all costs. This not only did not pan out but he also had to deal with a revolt launched by a relative of Constantius
within Rome itself. This strained Magnentius's resources while the main arm of Constantius's army inexorably
approached. The revolt was eventually crushed but his forces were weakened. In the end he was unable to avoid
the inevitable and faced several losing battles against Constantius. As he retreated farther into his heartland he
realized it was a lost cause and committed suicide.
Busts:
For the average collector coins of Magnentius will
1) Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right
2) Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust right be restricted to the relatively scarce bronzes which
3) Diademed (laurels and rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust right come in the bigger AE1, 2 and 3 size classes. These
are typically fairly low grade but not very expensive.
Obverses: Many will have the telltale crude styling associated
with non-official strikes by Celtic tribes living within
1) DN MAG MAGNENTIVS PF AVG
2) DN MAGNENTIO PERPETVO AVG or near Roman towns. These semi-autonomous
3) DN MAGNENTIVS AVG people closely copied the themes of Roman coins
4) DN MAGNENTIVS PF AG
5) DN MAGNENTIVS PF AVG
but with their own distinct style. Because they were
6) FL MAGNENTIVS PF AVG typically illiterate the legends are often blundered or
7) IM CAE MAGNENTIVS AVG completely nonsensical. All in all these coins are
8) IMP CAE MAGNENTIVS AVG
9) IMP CAES MAGNENTIVS AVG neither rare nor especially valuable. Due to their
10) MAG MAGNENTIVS AVG very wide variance in styling they defy cataloguing
11) MAGNENTIVS AVG
and so are often simply sold as “barbarous
imitations”.
Reverses:
1) BEATITVDO PVBLICA Of those bronzes that can be classified as having
2) BIS RESTITVTA LIBERTAS come from a regular mint, most of the available ones
3) FEL TEMP REPARATIO
4) FELICITAS PERPETVA
are in rather poor shape but they carry
5) FELICITAS REIPVBLICE correspondingly palatable price tags, perhaps only a
6) GLORIA ET REPARATIO TEMPORVM few dollars each. The top grade bronzes are rare
7) GLORIA ROMANORVM
8) LIBERATOR REIPVBLICAE and can cost up to two or three hundred dollars
9) PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS each.
10) RESTITVTOR LIBERTATIS
11) SALVS DD NN AVG ET CAES
12) SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE The collector with a more generous budget may
13) TRIVMFATOR GENTIVM BARBARVM
14) VICT AVG LIB ROM ORB
expect to acquire a silver or gold piece but by and
15) VICT CAES LIB ROM ORB large these are extremely rare.
16) VICT DD NN AVG ET CAES
17) VICTORIA AVG ET CAES
18) VICTORIA AVG LIB ROMANOR
19) VICTORIA DD NN AVGG
20) VICTORIAE DD NN AVG ET CAE
21) VICTORIAE DD NN AVG ET CAES
22) VICTORIAE DD NN AVGG
23) VIRTVS AVG NOSTRI
24) VIRTVS AVGVSTI NOSTRI
25) VIRTVS EXERCITI
26) VRBS ROMA
Types:
1) Aequitas standing left, holding scale and cornucopia
2) Chi-Rho, A and ω across fields
3) Magnentius advancing right, dragging captive and holding bow with spear.
4) Magnentius advancing right, dragging captive and holding spear with shield
5) Magnentius riding horse right, facing bowing Aquileia, holding scroll and cornucopia
6) Magnentius riding horse right, spearing barbarian; shield and broken spear under horse.
499
7) Magnentius riding horse right, spearing two kneeling barbarians.
8) Magnentius standing left on galley, holding Victory on globe and labarum; Victory seated to right, steering galley.
9) Magnentius standing left with foot on kneeling captive, holding Victory on globe and labarum
10) Magnentius standing left, holding globe and scepter
11) Magnentius standing left, holding globe and scepter; kneeling captive to left.
12) Magnentius standing left, holding labarum and resting hand on shield; two captives to left.
13) Magnentius standing left, holding labarum and spear
14) Magnentius standing left, holding standard and labarum
15) Magnentius standing left, holding Victory on globe and labarum
16) Magnentius standing left, holding Victory on globe and standard
17) Magnentius standing left, raising hand and holding branch; labarum to left and kneeling captive to right
18) Magnentius standing left, stepping on seated captive, holding eagle on globe and spear.
19) Magnentius standing right, stepping on captive, holding labarum and branch.
20) Magnentius standing, facing, resting hand on kneeling captive and holding labarum
21) Securitas standing, facing, with legs crossed and leaning on column with elbow, resting head on hand.
22) Soldier standing left, spearing falling horseman.
23) Victories (2) standing, facing each other, holding wreath reading VOT / V / MVL / X on column
24) Victories (2) standing, facing each other, holding wreath reading VOT / V / MVLT / X
25) Victories (2) standing, facing each other, holding wreath reading VOT / V / MVLT / X on column
26) Victories (2) standing, facing each other, holding wreath reading VOT / X
27) Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm
28) Victory advancing left, holding wreath and trophy
29) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / V / MVL / X
30) Victory seated right, holding wreath reading VOT / V / MVLT / X
31) Victory standing right on left, holding palm, facing Libertas to right, holding scepter, together holding trophy
32) Virtus standing, facing, holding spear and resting hand on shield.
33) Wreath, Chi-Rho with A to left and ω to right within
34) Wreath, VOT / V / MVLT / X within
Mints:
1) Ambianum
2) Aquileia
3) Arelate
4) Lugdunum
5) Roma
6) Siscia
7) Treveri
AU Medallion Reference(s)
1) B1, O9, R08, T05, M02 Exe: SMAQ Three Solidi weight RIC 122 (VIII, Aquileia)
AU Solidus
2) B1, O5, R18, T31, M7 Exe: TR RIC 276 (VIII, Trier)

AR Miliarense
4) B1, O7, R23, T11, M7 Exe: TR RIC 257 (VIII, Aquileia)
AR Siliqua
5) B1, O5, R04, T28, M2 Exe: AQ• RIC 146 (VIII, Aquileia)
AE1
7) B1, O5, R11, T02, M1 Exe: AMB RIC 122 (VIII, Aquileia)
AE2
8) B1, O5, R11, T02, M3 Exe: SÀR RIC 198 (VIII, Arles)
9) B1, O5, R20, T24, M1 Exe: AMB* “A” behind bust RIC 14 (VIII, Amiens), L 10
10) B1, O5, R20, T24, M7 Exe: TR` “A” behind bust RIC 307 (VIII, Trier)
11) B1, O5, R20, T25, M1 Exe: AMB “A” behind bust RIC 5 (VIII, Amiens)
12) B1, O9, R18, T19, M5 Exe: A/•R•F•` RIC 179 (VIII, Rome), L 635
AE3
13) B1, O5, R07, T06, M2 Exe: B/*/®AQ`¯ “A” behind bust RIC 160 (VIII, Aquileia), L 906
14) B1, O5, R07, T06, M3 Exe: */ÀR RIC 150 (VIII, Arles), L 421
15) B1, O5, R07, T06, M4 Exe: R`LG RIC 115 (VIII, Lyons), L 214
16) B1, O5, R11, T02, M4 Exe: L`LG RIC 154 (VIII, Lyons), L 238
17) B1, O5, R11, T02, M7 Exe: TR` RIC 320 (VIII, Trier), L 62
18) B1, O5, R21, T24, M4 Exe: * over SV/R`LG “A” behind bust RIC 123 (VIII, Lyons)
19) B1, O5, R21, T24, M7 Exe: TR` “A” behind bust RIC 312 (VIII, Trier), L 60
500
Magnentius Bust
Magnentius Types
Brother of Magnentius, the ill-fated usurper who almost

Decentius upset the Constantine dynasty. Decentius was made
Caesar shortly after Magnentius had gained control of
Italy in a clear signal that he meant to start an imperial
Caesar 351-353 dynasty of his own. Unfortunately, the war did not go
well for Magnentius and, following a devastating defeat
in battle, committed suicide rather than test the mercy of
Constantius II. On hearing of Magnentius' suicide Decentius followed suit and hanged himself.
Busts: A bit harder to find than the coins of Magnentius but

1) Bare headed, cuirassed bust right
not significantly so. Most coins available will be
2) Bare headed, draped and cuirassed bust right bronzes that have been found in Spain. Due to the
overall arid soil conditions in this region the coins
Obverses: will often sport attractive, sandy “patinas” that most
collectors choose to leave alone as it tends to
1) DECENTIVS FOR CAES enhance contrast.
2) DN DECENTIVS CAESAR
3) DN DECENTIVS FORT CAES
4) DN DECENTIVS NOB CAES While the coins are not generally hard to find,
finding them in tip top shape is another matter. The
Reverses: greater part of the bronzes available, regardless of
1) AEQVITAS AVG NOSTRI
attractive patinas, will lack full, readable legends
2) GLORIA ROMANORVM and often have significant porosity or flan defects.
3) MAG DECENTIVS N CS
4) MAG DECENTIVS NOB CAES
5) MAGNVS DECENTIVS NOB CAES For this reason prices overall are depressed. A well-
6) PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS preserved bronze is a rather rare sight and these
7) PRINCITI IVVENTVTIS
8) SALVS DD NN AVG ET CAES coins are typically sold via the bigger auction
9) VICT CAES LIB ROM ORB houses and prices reach into the low hundreds even
10) VICT DD NN AVG ET CAES
11) VICTORIA AVG ET CAES
for common issues.
12) VICTORIA AVG LIB ROMANOR
13) VICTORIA CAES LIB ROMANOR Silver and gold coins are very rare.
14) VICTORIA DD NN AVGG
15) VICTORIA DN CAES
501
16) VICTORIAE DD NN AVG ET CAE 18) VIRTVS EXERCITI
17) VICTORIAE DD NN AVG ET CAES 19) VIRTVS EXERCITVS
Types:
1) Aequitas standing left, holding scale and cornucopia.

2) Decentius advancing right, holding spear and globe.
3) Decentius riding horse right, spearing barbarian; shield under horse.
4) Decentius standing left, holding globe and scepter
5) Decentius standing right, stepping on captive, holding labarum and spear.
6) Large Chi-Rho; A and ω across fields
7) Roma seated left, holding Victory on globe and scepter; shield to side.
8) Securitas standing, facing, leaning on column, resting head on hand.
9) Victories (2) standing, facing each other, holding together wreath reading VOT / V / MVL / X on column
10) Victories (2) standing, facing each other, holding together wreath reading VOT / V / MVLT / X on column.
11) Victories (2) standing, facing each other, holding together wreath reading VOT / V / MVLT / X
12) Victories (2) standing, facing each other, holding together wreath reading VOT / V / MVL / X
13) Victories (2) standing, facing each other, holding together wreath reading VOT / V / MVLT / X; Chi-Rho over wreath.
14) Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm.
15) Victory standing right on left, holding trophy together with Libertas to right, holding scepter.
Mints:
1) Ambianum 4) Lugdunum 7) Treveri
2) Aquileia 5) Roma
3) Arelate 6) Siscia
AU Solidus Reference(s)
1) B2, O3, R13, T15, M7 Exe: TR RIC 294 (VIII, Trier), C 31
AE2
2) B1, O4, R08, T06, M4 Exe: P`LG• RIC 159 (VIII, Lyons), L 243
3) B1, O4, R16, T10, M1 Exe: AMB “A” behind bust RIC 6 (VIII, Amiens), L 6
4) B1, O4, R16, T12, M4 Exe: • over SV/R`LG
5) B1, O4, R16, T12, M4 Exe: * over SV/R`LG RIC 187 (VIII, Lyons)
6) B1, O4, R16, T12, M4 Exe: SP/R`LG RIC 137 (VIII, Lyons)
7) B2, O2, R16, T12, M3 Exe: IS/ÀR “A” behind bust RIC 178 (VIII, Arles)
8) B2, O3, R08, T06, M7 Exe: TR` RIC 319 (VIII, Trier), L 63
9) B2, O3, R17, T11, M2 Exe: ®AQ`¯ “A” behind bust RIC 171 (VIII, Aquileia), L 910
10) B2, O4, R16, T10, M4 Exe: R`LG RIC 122 (VIII, Lyons), L 218
11) B2, O4, R16, T10, M4 Exe: S/V/R`LG RIC 124 (VIII, Lyons)
AE3
12) B1, O4, R16, T11, M4 Exe: SP/R`LG RIC 137 (VIII, Lyons), L 228
Decentius Busts
Decentius Types
502
Nepotian On hearing of the murder of Constans and the usurpation of

the title by his former general Magnentius, the citizens of
Rome named Nepotian emperor instead. He was a nephew of
Constantius II who, because of his very young age, escaped
Augustus 350 the massacre of his family some twelve years before. By
holding out on Magnentius the city hoped to cut off key
supplies while Constantius and his armies hurried from Persia to meet the threat of Magnentius. Unfortunately for
Nepotian and his fellow rebels, Magnentius quickly set out to plug this loophole and was able to enter Rome with
his own army and then find and execute him. Because Nepotian ruled for only a month what few coins were struck
in his name are highly sought after by collectors today.
Busts:
1) Bare headed, draped and cuirassed bust right
Well, here‟s one emperor likely to never grace
2) Diademed (rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust right your collection. Sorry. You can thank the fact that
his coin-striking days lasted all of three weeks or
Obverses: so (if that). He rebelled on June 3, 350 and was
th
handed off to the executioner on the 30 of the
1) DN IVL NEPOTIANVS PF AVG same month. We may probably assume that the
2) FL NEP CONSTANTINVS AVG
3) FL POP NEPOTIANVS PF AVG mint in Rome took a few days to even begin
issuing coins with his name so that gives one
Reverses: pause as to the meager amount of time left to
make a handful of coins. And let‟s not forget this
1) GLORIA ROMANORVM was a millennium and a half ago!
2) VRBS ROMA
Nevertheless, if shelling out ten grand or so on a

Types:
coin is not distressing you only need wait til the
1) Nepotian riding hosre right, spearing enemy; star above next one shows up at auction. If past history is any
2) Roma seated left, holding Victory on globe and spear. indication this seems to happen about once every
other year or two.
Mint:
1) Roma
AE2 Reference(s)
1) B1, O3, R1, T1 Exe: R` RIC VIII 200, L 643

AE3
Nepotian Busts Nepotian Types

503
When word of Constans' fate got out Constantius II was too far
Vetranio away to be immediately effective. However, his sister Constantina

was an ardent supporter of his and was able to incite a revolt in
Rome on her brother's behalf. This gave rise to the short-lived rule
of Nepotian. At her insistence she was also able to convince
Augustus 350 Vetranio to go on the rebel warpath as well. Unlike Nepotian,
however, Magnentius resisted the urge to squash this impostor
and instead tried to have Vetranio recognize him. Not much came of these talks because Constantius was by now
nearby and he met Vetranio in person to discuss the situation. After their meeting was over Vetranio abdicated
and retired as private citizen along with a generous pension from Constantius. This left Magnentius diplomatically
isolated again and the two would confront each other in battle soon after.
Bust:
1) Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust Vetranio is about the most difficult emperor that can be (reasonably)
right expected to be found among ordinary uncleaned Roman coins as sold in
2) Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust
right bulk. And that‟s not to say that he appears often. For having been minting
3) Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust coins less than a year he is naturally not very easily available.
right, holding spear and shield
While a few silver coins rear up now and then most available will be the
Obverse: AE2‟s and AE3‟s bearing his name. Some collectors will be satisfied to own
1) DN VETRANIO PF AVG
a “Constantius II by Vetranio”; that is, a coin bearing the name of Constantius
II issued under the authority of Vetranio. These are considerably cheaper
Reverses: and are most often found with the Hoc Signo Victor Eris reverse. This type
refers to Constantine‟s vision of The Cross prior to the Milvian Bridge battle
1) CONCORDIA MILITVM of 312 after which he became a Christian and to which he credited his victory
2) GAVDIVM POPVLI ROMANI
3) GLORIA ROMANORVM
over Maxentius.
4) HOC SIGNO VICTOR ERIS
5) SALVATOR REIPVBLICAE Altogether, his bronzes trade in a rather wide price margin from under $100
6) VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM
7) VIRTVS AVGVSTORVM for the less well preserved to over $1,000 for “gem” coins. The silver issues
8) VIRTVS EXERCITVM are too rare to pin a going rate for but will most likely exchange hands for
multiple thousands of dollars.
Types:
1) Vetranio standing left, holding labarum and spear.

2) Vetranio standing left, holding labarum and spear, being crowned Victory to right, holding palm.
3) Vetranio standing right, holding spear and globe; seated captive to right.
4) Vetranio standing, facing, holding a labarum in each hand; star above.
5) Vetranio standing, facing, holding labarum and resting hand on shield.
6) Vetranio standing, facing, holding trophy and spear; seated captive to lower left.
7) Victory advancing left, holding palm and trophy
9) Victory advancing left, holding wreath and trophy
10) Wreath VOT / V / MVL / X within
Mints:
1) Siscia
2) Thessalonica
1) B3, O1, R5, T02, M1 Exe: SIS
AR Miliarense
2) B2, O1, R6, T08, M1 Exe: ®/SIS RIC 262 (VIII, Siscia)
AR Siliqua
3) B2, O1, R6, T09, M1 Exe: SIS RIC 267 (VIII, Siscia)
AE2
4) B1, O1, R1, T04, M1 Exe: A/`SIS* “A” behind bust

5) B1, O1, R1, T04, M2 Exe: A/B/•TS`• RIC 131 (VIII, Thessalonica), L 1658
AE3 Reference(s)
6) B1, O1, R1, T04, M1 Exe: A/•`SIS* “A” behind bust RIC 281 (VIII, Siscia), L 1168
504
7) B1, O1, R1, T04, M1 Exe: A/•`SIS* “A” behind bust, * in front RIC 290 (VIII, Siscia), L 1176
8) B1, O1, R1, T04, M1 Exe: A/•`SIS•* “A” behind bust, * in front RIC 285 (VIII, Siscia), L 1172
9) B1, O1, R3, T01, M1 Exe: `SIS RIC 294 (VIII, Siscia), L 1180
10) B1, O1, R4, T02, M1 Exe: A/•`SIS* “A” behind bust RIC 281 (VIII, Siscia), L 1170
11) B1, O1, R4, T02, M1 Exe: A/•`SIS* “A” behind bust, * in front RIC 292 (VIII, Siscia), L 1178
12) B1, O1, R4, T02, M1 Exe: A/•`SIS•* “A” behind bust, * in front RIC 287 (VIII, Siscia), L 1174
13) B1, O1, R4, T02, M1 Exe: A/`SIS* “A” behind bust RIC 279 (VIII, Siscia), L 1166
15) B1, O1, R8, T05, M2 Exe: TES` RIC 138 (VIII, Thessalonica), L 1652
Vetranio Busts
Vetranio Types
Gallus was one of the few who escaped the family

Constantius Gallus massacre initiated by Constantine's sons in order to
weed out possible future contestants to the throne.
When Constantius II was unable to deal with lesser
Caesar 351-354 rebellions out east because more pressing issues
required his presence elsewhere, he decided it would be
served best if a family member was given the task. So
he summoned Gallus, made him Caesar and sent him on his mission. Although he was successful in dealing with
the revolts, his methods were found to be so cruel that they would likely spawn new revolts. Word of his heavy-
handed manners reached Constantius and he had him recalled. Being led to believe that he was going to be
promoted to full Augustus, the happy Gallus arrived at court only to find out he was under arrest. He was then sent
to an island, tried and executed.
Busts:
1) Bare head right
Like most of the rest of the members of the Constantine
2) Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust left clan, Constantius Gallus still has thousands of his coins
3) Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right lingering around in dusty museum bins and collectors‟
collections. Most of these, not surprisingly, will be the
Obverses: ever-popular Fel Temps that were produced by the
millions, and probably hundreds of millions, during the
1) CONSTANTIVS CAE
2) CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES 350‟s for several emperors.
3) DN CONSTANTIVS FORT CAES
4) DN CONSTANTIVS IVN NOB C
5) DN CONSTANTIVS IVN NOB CAES
Silver Siliquae are also fairly frequent as are the odd
6) DN CONSTANTIVS NOB C Solidus or two.
505
7) DN CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES
8) DN CONSTANTIVS NOB CS
9) DN FL CL CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES
10) FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES
Reverses:
1) CONCORDIA MILITVM 6) GLORIA ROMANORVM 11) VICTORIA ROMANORVM
2) FEL TEMP REPARATIO 7) HOC SIGNO VICTOR ERIS 12) VICTORIAE DD NN AVGG
3) FELICITAS ROMANORVM 8) VICT DD NN AVG ET CAES 13) VIRTVS EXERCITVS
4) GLORIA EXERCITVS 9) VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM 14) No legend
5) GLORIA REIPVBLICAE 10) VICTORIA CAESARIS
Types:
1) Constantinopolis seated left, stepping on galley prow, holding Victory on globe and scepter.
2) Constantius Gallus advancing left, stepping on captive, holding Victory on globe and labarum.
3) Constantius Gallus and Constantius II standing under arch, each holding a spear.
4) Constantius Gallus standing left, holding labarum and spear, being crowned by Victory to right, holding palm.
5) Constantius Gallus standing left, holding Victory on globe and spear, being crowned by Victory to right, holding palm.
6) Constantius Gallus standing left on galley, holding Victory and labarum; Victory seated to right, steering galley.
7) Constantius Gallus standing under arch, holding spear and globe, next to Victory, holding wreath and palm.
8) Constantius Gallus standing, facing, holding a labarum in each hand.
9) Constantius Gallus standing, facing, holding a labarum in each hand; star above.
10) Constantius Gallus standing, facing, holding spear and resting hand on shield.
11) Phoenix standing on rock pile
12) Roma and Constantinopolis seated, facing, each holding Victory on globe and scepter.
13) Roma, holding scepter, seated, facing and Constantinopolis, stepping on galley prow and holding scepter, seated left, together holding shield reading VO /
TIS / V
14) Roma, holding scepter, seated, facing and Constantinopolis, stepping on galley prow and holding scepter, seated left, together holding shield reading VOT /
V / MVLT / X
15) Roma standing left, holding Victory on globe and spear with shield.
16) Soldier standing left, spearing fallen horseman.
17) Standards (3)
18) Standards (4)
19) Victory advancing left, holding palm and trophy
21) Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm; kneeling captive to left
22) Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm; seated captive on either side.
23) Victory advancing left, holding wreath in each hand.
24) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VO / TIS/ V
25) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / V / MVLT / X
26) Wreath, star within
27) Wreath, VOT / V / MVLT / X within.
28) Wreath, VOTIS / V/ MVLTIS / X within
Mints:
1) Alexandria 6) Constantinopolis 11) Roma
2) Ambianum 7) Cyzicus 12) Sirmium
3) Antioch 8) Heraclea 13) Siscia
4) Aquileia 9) Lugdunum 14) Thessalonica
5) Arelate 10) Nicomedia 15) Treveri
1) B2, O07, R06, T01, M03 Exe: SMANT Five Solidi weight RIC 71a (VIII, Antioch)
AU Solidus
2) B3, O07, R05, T14, M03 Exe: SMAN`• RIC 90 (VIII, Antioch)
3) B3, O07, R05, T14, M14 Exe: *TES* RIC 149 (VIII, Thessalonica)
4) B3, O09, R05, T13, M10 Exe: SMN RIC 75 (VIII, Nicomedia)
AR Siliqua
5) B1, O07, R14, T28, M12 Exe: •SIRM RIC 18 (VIII, Sirmium)
6) B3, O04, R10, T19, M13 Exe: SIS RIC 299 (VIII, Siscia)
7) B3, O07, R14, T26 RIC 237 (VIII, Constantinople)
AE2
8) B3, O04, R01, T09, M12 Exe: `SIRM “Δ” behind bust RIC 34 (VIII, Sirmium)
9) B3, O04, R01, T16, M13 Exe: II/•`SIS• “A” behind bust RIC 345 (VIII, Siscia), L 1215
10) B3, O04, R02, T06, M11 Exe: III/*/R` “A” behind bust RIC 250 (VIII, Rome), L 661
11) B3, O04, R02, T16, M12 Exe: [/`SIRM RIC 51 (VIII, Sirmium), L 1608
12) B3, O04, R02, T16, M12 Exe: •S•/`SIRM “Δ” behind bust RIC 46 (VIII, Sirmium)
13) B3, O04, R02, T16, M12 Exe: `SIRM RIC 49 (VIII, Sirmium), L 1604
14) B3, O04, R02, T16, M12 Exe: A/`SIRM “Δ” behind bust RIC 41 (VIII, Sirmium), L 1598
15) B3, O04, R02, T16, M13 Exe: I/`SIS•S• “A” behind bust RIC 347 (VIII, Siscia), L 1217
506
16) B3, O07, R02, T02, M14 Exe: Γ/*/TS`•
17) B3, O07, R02, T16, M01 Exe: Γ/ALE` RIC 74 (VIII, Alexandria)
18) B3, O07, R02, T16, M03 Exe: Γ /AN` RIC 137 (VIII, Antioch)
19) B3, O09, R02, T16, M06 Exe: B•/CONS` “Δ” behind bust RIC 113 (VIII, Constantinople), L 2034
20) B3, O09, R02, T16, M06 Exe: CONS` RIC 120 (VIII, Constantinople), L 2040
21) B3, O09, R02, T16, M06 Exe: Γ•/CONS` RIC 107 (VIII, Constantinople), L 2029
22) B3, O10, R01, T08, M14 Exe: Γ/*TS`* RIC 167 (VIII, Thessalonica), L 1667
AE3 Reference(s)
23) B3, O04, R01, T09, M13 Exe: `SIS• “A” behind bust RIC 308 (VIII, Siscia)
24) B3, O04, R02, T16, M04 Exe: LXXII/S/AQ` RIC 193 (VIII, Aquileia), L 924
25) B3, O04, R02, T16, M12 Exe: `SIRM “Δ” behind bust RIC 36 (VIII, Sirmium)
26) B3, O04, R02, T16, M12 Exe: `SIRM• RIC 53 (VIII, Sirmium), L 1606
28) B3, O04, R02, T16, M13 Exe: `SIS- RIC 354 (VIII, Siscia)
29) B3, O04, R02, T16, M13 Exe: I/`SIS•S• “A” behind bust RIC 347 (VIII, Siscia)
30) B3, O04, R07, T04, M12 Exe: III/*SIRM “A” behind bust RIC 24 (VIII, Sirmium)
31) B3, O04, R10, T20, M12 Exe: `SIRM
32) B3, O06, R02, T16, M08 Exe: SMH` RIC 91 (VIII, Sirmium)
33) B3, O07, R02, T16, M11 Exe: R`¯ RIC 284 (VIII, Rome)
34) B3, O07, R02, T16, M14 Exe: `/SMTS RIC 190 (VIII, Thessalonica), L 1682
35) B3, O08, R02, T16, M07 Exe: SMK` RIC 107 (VIII, Cyzicus)
36) B3, O09, R02, T16, M06 Exe: •/CONS` RIC 122 (VIII, Constantinople), L 2044
37) B3, O09, R02, T16, M06 Exe: •S•/*/CONS` RIC 117 (VIII, Constantinople), L 2038
38) B3, O09, R02, T16, M06 Exe: CONS` RIC 120 (VIII, Constantinople)
39) B3, O09, R02, T16, M06 Exe: X/ •/CONS` RIC 124 (VIII, Constantinople), L 2047
41) B3, O09, R02, T16, M07 Exe: Γ/SMK` RIC 94 (VIII, Sirmium)
42) B3, O09, R02, T16, M14 Exe: TS` RIC 181 (VIII, Thessalonica)
Constantius Gallus Busts
Constantius Gallus Types

507
Julian was the son of Constantius Gallus and made Caesar by
Julian II his own father's murderer, Constantius II. Constantius then
assigned him an army and sent to suppress yet another German
invasion. Upon the successful completion of this task, however, his
Augustus 360-363 own soldiers promoted him to the rank of Augustus. Chafing still
from his father's fate he was well-prepared to meet Constantius in
battle. But the battle was never meant to be because Constantius
died of an illness on the way there and was able to rule uncontested. Reversing the growing momentum of
Christianity within the empire, Julian attempted to bring back the old pagan gods and its rituals. Again, it can be
suspected that this was done as much out of personal conviction as to his efforts in countering the legacy of the
Constantines who decimated his family. Taking his army to deal with a new round of Persian invasions, however,
left him little time to dwell on eradicating Christianity. He died in 363 from a javelin wound fighting the Persians.
Busts:
1) Bare-headed, cuirassed bust right Julian II‟s coins are very common among
2) Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust left the bronzes. These can be found unrestored
3) Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right
4) Diademed (pearls and rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust right
among “uncleaned” coin lots sold on Ebay
5) Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust right and elsewhere though far fewer in number
6) Diademed (rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust right than the Constantines and family predating
7) Diademed bust right, wearing consular robes, holding mappa and scepter
8) Helmeted, diademed, cuirassed bust facing, holding spear and shield him or the Valentinian clan that would
9) Helmeted, diademed, cuirassed bust left, holding spear and shield follow.
Obverses: For political and/or religious reasons he

sought to stand apart from the legacy of
1) DN CL IVLIANVS AVG
2) DN CL IVLIANVS N C Constantius II and, by extension, the
3) DN CL IVLIANVS NOB CAES Constantine house that had dominated the
4) DN FL CL IVLIANVS NOB CS
5) DN FL CL IVLIANVS PF AVG
fourth century so far. Among his various
6) DN FL CL IVLIANVS PP AVG edicts to this end he re-introduced a
7) DN IVLIANVS NOB C Sestertius-sized (but much lighter) coin with
8) DN IVLIANVS NOB CAES
9) DN IVLIANVS NOB CAESAR the old silver sheen begun with Claudius II‟s
10) DN IVLIANVS PF AVG Antoninianus that had largely fallen out of
11) FL CL IVLIANVS AVG
12) FL CL IVLIANVS NOB CAES use by the 320‟s. Although its purchasing
13) FL CL IVLIANVS PER AVG power in relation to the familiar AE3‟s
14) FL CL IVLIANVS PERP AVG
15) FL CL IVLIANVS PF AVG
remains to us a mystery they must have
16) FL CL IVLIANVS PF P AVG been a breath of fresh air to the public that
17) FL CL IVLIANVS PP AVG had been forced to rely on ever smaller
18) IVLIANVS AVG
19) IVLIANVS CAES coins for the needs of commerce.
Reverses: But this “AE1” was short-lived and the AE3

would continue to be the coin that, in the
1) DN IVLIANVS CAES end, the public had to make do with like it or
2) DN IVLIANVS NOB CAES
3) FEL TEMP REPARATIO not. If anything, within another generation
4) FIDES EXERCITVVM this public would be forced into the even
5) GLORIA REIPVBLICAE
6) GLORIA ROMANORVM
smaller “AE4” class of coins… but that‟s
7) MONETA AVG another story.
8) REPARATIO GALLIARVM
9) SECVRITAS REIPVB
10) SPES REIPVBLICE Government and the military still traded in
11) VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM silver and gold and here too Julian is fairly
12) VICTORIA DD NN AVG
13) VICTORIA IVLIANI well represented. A siliqua may only cost a
14) VICTORIA PERPETV couple hundred dollars but the gold pieces
15) VICTORIA ROMANOR
16) VICTORIA ROMANORVM
will be significantly harder to find and be
17) VICTORIA RONANORVM costlier.
18) VICTORIAE D N AVG
19) VICTORIAE DD NN AVGG
20) VIRTVS AVG N
21) VIRTVS CAESARIS
22) VIRTVS EXERC GALL
23) VIRTVS EXERCITVM
24) VIRTVS EXERCITVS
25) VIRTVS EXERCITVS ROMANI
26) VIRTVS EXERCITVS ROMANORVM
27) No legend
508
Types:
1) Bull standing right, two stars above

2) Bull standing right, two stars above; eagle with wreath to right
3) Julian II advancing right, dragging captive and holding trophy.
4) Julian II standing left, holding globe and spear
5) Julian II standing left, holding spear and Victory on globe
6) Julian II standing under arch, facing, holding spear and globe, being crowned with wreath by Victory.
7) Roma seated, facing, holding scepter and shield with star within together with Constantinopolis to right, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter
8) Roma seated, facing, holding scepter and shield with wreath and star within together with Constantinopolis to right, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter
9) Roma seated, facing, holding scepter and wreath reading VO / TIS / V together with Constantinopolis to right, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter
10) Roma seated, facing, holding scepter and wreath reading VOT / XXX / MVLT / XXXX together with Constantinopolis to right, stepping on galley prow, holding
scepter
11) Soldier standing left, spearing falling horseman
12) Spes standing left, holding globe and scepter
13) Standards (3)
15) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / V; genius to lower right also holding shield.
16) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / X; genius to lower right also holding shield.
17) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / XX; genius to lower right also holding shield.
18) Victory seated right, holding shield with star; genius to lower right also supporting shield.
19) Victory standing right, stepping on globe, holding shield reading VOT / V / MVLT / X; genius to lower right also supporting shield.
20) Virtus standing right, holding head of kneeling captive and trophy.
21) Virtus standing right, holding head of kneeling captive and trophy; eagle with wreath to right.
22) Virtus standing right, holding spear and resting hand on shield.
23) Wreath, star within
24) Wreath, VO / TIS / V within
26) Wreath, VOT / X / MVLT / XX within
27) Wreath, VOTIS / V / MVLTIS / X within
28) Wreath, VOTIS / X / MVLT / XX within
29) Wreath, VOTIS / X / MVLTIS / XX within
Mints:
1) Alexandria 6) Cyzicus 11) Sirmium
5) Constantinopolis 10) Roma
1) B3, O08, R05, T07, M02 Exe: •SMAN`• RIC 171 (VIII, Antioch)
2) B3, O08, R05, T07, M02 Exe: SMAN` RIC 167 (VIII, Antioch)
3) B5, O15, R26, T03, M02 Exe: ANT` RIC 201 (VIII, Antioch)
4) B5, O17, R26, T03, M05 Exe: ®CONS`¯ RIC 157 (VIII, Constantinople)
5) B5, O17, R26, T03, M10 Exe: R` RIC 323 (VIII, Rome)
6) B5, O17, R26, T03, M11 Exe: *SIRM= RIC 95 (VIII, Sirmium)
AU Scripulum
7) B5, O17, R17, T17, M02 Exe: ANT RIC 207 (VIII, Antioch)
AR Siliqua
9) B3, O08, R27, T27, M04 Exe: `CON RIC 264 (VIII, Arles)
11) B5, O05, R27, T26, M04 Exe: `CONST RIC 309 (VIII, Arles)
13) B5, O05, R27, T26, M05 Exe: CP•` RIC 159 (VIII, Constantinople)
14) B5, O05, R27, T26, M08 Exe: `LVG RIC 234 (VIII, Lyons)
15) B5, O10, R27, T27, M04 Exe: `CON RIC 295 (VIII, Arles)
16) B5, O15, R27, T27, M11 Exe: SIRM
17) B5, O17, R12, T08, M08 Exe: LVG RIC 215a (VIII, Lyons)
18) B6, O15, R27, T25, M08 Exe: LVG RIC 218 (VIII, Lyons)
AE1
19) B5, O05, R09, T01, M02 Exe: ®ANT`¯ RIC 216 (VIII, Antioch), L 2640
20) B5, O05, R09, T01, M03 Exe: •AQVIL` RIC 243 (VIII, Aquileia)
21) B5, O05, R09, T01, M05 Exe: •CONSP`• RIC 162 (VIII, Constantinople), L 2058
22) B5, O05, R09, T01, M05 Exe: ®CONSP`¯ RIC 163 (VIII, Constantinople), L 2059
23) B5, O05, R09, T01, M06 Exe: CVZ` RIC 127 (VIII, Cyzicus), L 2058
24) B5, O05, R09, T01, M07 Exe: •HERACL•` over • RIC 104 (VIII, Sirmium), L 1910
25) B5, O05, R09, T01, M08 Exe: LVGDOFF` RIC 236 (VIII, Lyons)
26) B5, O05, R09, T01, M09 Exe: ®NIK`¯ RIC 121 (VIII, Nicomedia), L 2319
27) B5, O05, R09, T01, M09 Exe: ®NIK`•¯ RIC 122 (VIII, Nicomedia)
28) B5, O05, R09, T01, M11 Exe: *`SIRM= RIC 106 (VIII, Sirmium), L 1621
29) B5, O05, R09, T01, M11 Exe: *`SIRM¯ RIC 107 (VIII, Sirmium), L 1622
509
30) B5, O05, R09, T01, M11 Exe: `SIRM= RIC 105 (VIII, Sirmium)
31) B5, O05, R09, T01, M12 Exe: ®`SIS¯ RIC 411 (VIII, Siscia)
32) B5, O05, R09, T01, M12 Exe: ®`SISC¯ RIC 418 (VIII, Siscia), L 1261
33) B5, O05, R09, T01, M12 Exe: ®`SISC= RIC 419 (VIII, Siscia)
34) B5, O05, R09, T01, M13 Exe: ®TES`¯ RIC 225 (VIII, Thessalonica), L 1696
AE3 Reference(s)
35) B3, O07, R03, T11, M05 Exe: •M•/CONS` RIC 140 (VIII, Constantinople)
36) B3, O07, R03, T11, M11 Exe: `SIRM• RIC 70 (VIII, Sirmium)
37) B3, O07, R03, T11, M11 Exe: M/`SIRM• RIC 74 (VIII, Sirmium), L 1611
39) B3, O07, R03, T11, M12 Exe: M/`SIS- RIC 371 (VIII, Siscia), L 1235
40) B5, O05, R10, T04, M05 Exe: */CON` RIC 160 (VIII, Constantinople)
42) B9, O05, R27, T26, M01 Exe: ALE` RIC 90 (VIII, Alexandria), L 2853
43) B9, O05, R27, T26, M02 Exe: SMANT` RIC 219 (VIII, Antioch), L 2643
44) B9, O05, R27, T26, M05 Exe: ®CONSP`¯ RIC 166 (VIII, Constantinople)
45) B9, O05, R27, T26, M05 Exe: •CONSP`¯ RIC 167 (VIII, Constantinople)
47) B9, O05, R27, T26, M07 Exe: HERACL` RIC 105 (VIII, Heraclea)
48) B9, O05, R27, T26, M07 Exe: HERACL•` RIC 106 (VIII, Heraclea)
49) B9, O05, R27, T26, M09 Exe: NIK` RIC 123 (VIII, Nicomedia)
50) B9, O05, R27, T26, M09 Exe: SMN` RIC 122a (VIII, Nicomedia)
51) B9, O05, R27, T26, M10 Exe: VRB•ROM•` RIC 329 (VIII, Rome), L 695
52) B9, O05, R27, T26, M11 Exe: `SIRM RIC 108 (VIII, Sirmium)
53) B9, O05, R27, T26, M13 Exe: ®TES`¯ RIC 227 (VIII, Thessalonica), L 1697
AE4
Julian II Busts
Julian II Types
510
Jovian succeeded Julian II as emperor when the latter died of
Jovian battlefield wounds. The general realized that their army was on the
brink of falling apart under the pressures of renewed attacks by the
Persians who were deep within their own territory. Upon this
analysis as well as the fact that supply columns could never hope
Augustus 363-364 to reach them effectively, he settled a truce with the Persians
giving over all the territory the Romans had just won under Julian.
Jovian died on the return from this episode as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Busts:
1) Diademed (laurels and rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust right Comparable in scarcity to the coins of
2) Diademed (laurels and rosettes), draped bust right, with cornucopia on left shoulder
3) Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust left
Julian II, Jovian continues issuing money
4) Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust right with little substantial change in the
5) Diademed (rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust right patterns set by his predecessor. However,
6) Diademed bust right, wearing consular robes, holding globe and scepter with eagle
atop he‟s not long for this world and the
Valentinian dynasty is about to begin
Obverses: which would introduce an altogether new
“flavor” of coinage.
1) DN IOVIANVS PEP AVG
2) DN IOVIANVS PERP AVG
3) DN IOVIANVS PF AVG Silver and gold coins can be found with
4) DN IOVIANVS PF AVG COS reasonable frequency; the Siliqua being
5) DN IOVIANVS PF P AVG
6) DN IOVIANVS PF PERP AVG
the most commonly seen denomination
7) DN IOVIANVS PF PP AVG among the precious metals.
Reverses:
1) ADVENTVS AVGVSTI
2) GAVDIVM ROMANORVM
3) GLORIA ROMANORVM
4) RESTITVTOR REIP
5) SECORITAS REIPVBLICAE
6) SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE
7) SECVRITAS REIPVBLICE
8) VICTORI AVGVS
9) VICTORIA AVGVSTI
11) VOTA PVBLICA
12) VRBS ROMA
13) No legend
Types:
1) Jovian standing under arch, facing, holding spear and globe
2) Jovian standing, facing, holding labarum and globe; seated captive to left.
3) Jovian standing, facing, holding labarum and Victory on globe.
4) Roma and Constantinopolis seated, facing, holding together wreath reading VOT / V
5) Roma and Constantinopolis seated, facing, holding together wreath reading VOT / V / MVL / X
6) Roma and Constantinopolis seated, facing, holding together wreath reading VOT / V / MVLT / X
7) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / V / MVL / X; Genius to right also holding shield.
8) Wreath, VOT / V / MVL / X within
10) Wreath, VOT / V within
12) Wreath, VOTIS / V / MVLT / X within
Mints:
1) Alexandria 6) Cyzicus 11) Sirmium

4) Arelate 9) Nicomedia
1) B4, O1, R05, T05, M02 Exe: ANT`
3) B4, O3, R06, T02, M11 Exe: SIRM RIC 110 (VIII, Sirmium)
4) B4, O3, R06, T02, M13 Exe: TES RIC 229 (VIII, Thessalonica)
6) B4, O5, R06, T06, M09 Exe: SMN` RIC 126 (VIII, Nicomedia)
511
7) B4, O5, R07, T06, M11 Exe: SIRM¯ RIC 115 (VIII, Sirmium)
8) B4, O7, R07, T06, M13 Exe: SMTES RIC 233 (VIII, Thessalonica)
9) B5, O6, R06, T06, M05 Exe: CONS` RIC 464 (VIII, Constantinople)
AR Siliqua Reference(s)
12) B4, O3, R13, T09, M05 Exe: CP` RIC 173 (VIII, Constantinople)
13) B4, O3, R13, T09, M09 Exe: SMN RIC 127 (VIII, Nicomedia)
AE1
15) B1, O2, R10, T03, M13 Exe: TES`

16) B1, O3, R10, T03, M02 Exe: ANT` RIC 228 (VIII, Antioch), L 2645
17) B1, O7, R10, T03, M13 Exe: TES` RIC 238 (VIII, Thessalonica)
18) B1, O7, R10, T03, M13 Exe: TES` RIC 235 (VIII, Thessalonica)
19) B4, O7, R10, T03, M13 Exe: TES` RIC 236 (VIII, Thessalonica)
21) B5, O7, R10, T03, M13 Exe: TES` RIC 237 (VIII, Thessalonica), L 1700
AE3
22) B3, O3, R13, T09, M05 Exe: CONSP` RIC 179 (VIII, Constantinople), L 2064
23) B3, O3, R13, T09, M07 Exe: HERAC` RIC 111 (VIII, Heraclea), L 1914
24) B3, O3, R13, T09, M07 Exe: HERAC` RIC 110 (VIII, Heraclea), L 1913
25) B3, O3, R13, T09, M12 Exe: `SISC RIC 426 (VIII, Siscia), L 1267
26) B3, O3, R13, T10, M01 Exe: ALE` RIC 92 (VIII, Alexandria), L 2855
27) B3, O3, R13, T10, M05 Exe: CONSPA RIC 178 (VIII, Constantinople), L 2063
28) B3, O3, R13, T10, M06 Exe: SMK` RIC 132 (VIII, Cyzicus), L 2513
29) B3, O3, R13, T10, M07 Exe: HERAC` RIC 109 (VIII, Heraclea)
30) B3, O3, R13, T10, M07 Exe: HERAC` RIC 108 (VIII, Heraclea), L 1912
31) B3, O3, R13, T10, M12 Exe: `SISC RIC 424 (VIII, Siscia)
32) B4, O3, R13, T08, M02 Exe: ANT` RIC 230 (VIII, Antioch), L 2647
33) B4, O3, R13, T09, M03 Exe: AQVIL` RIC 247 (VIII, Aquileia), L 960
34) B4, O3, R13, T09, M09 Exe: NIK` RIC 128 (VIII, Nicomedia)
36) B4, O5, R13, T08, M02 Exe: ANT`
Jovian Busts
Jovian Types
512
Valentinian became emperor after Jovian's death. He was a
Valentinian I capable general and performed admirably on behalf of the empire
given the advanced state of decay it was currently under. To start
things off he named his brother Valens co-emperor and was
Augustus 364-375 handed over the east half of the empire. A couple of years later he
named his young son Gratian co-ruler of the West as well in case
anything happened while he was campaigning against the ever-
present barbarians. That something happened in 375 when he suffered a stroke after becoming angry at a group
of barbarian peacemakers (presumably for offering unfavorable terms).
Busts:
1) Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust left More than any other emperor of this or the
2) Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust right
3) Diademed (rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust right
following century, the coins of Valentinian I (along
4) Diademed bust left, wearing imperial mantle, holding mappa and scepter with those of his brother Valens) are the most
5) Diademed bust left, wearing imperial mantle, raising hand and holding scepter commonly available and affordable. While
6) Diademed, cuirassed bust right
7) Helmeted, diademed, cuirassed bust left, holding spear and shield Constantine I and his family were prolific issuers of
low denomination bronzes their precious metal
Obverses: coinage is much scarcer.
1) DN VALENTINIANS PF AVG With Valentinian, and again Valens, Solidi and

2) DN VALENTINIANVS PF AVG
3) VALENTINIANVS AVG Siliquae are quite readily available. In particular,
their gold coins are perhaps the easiest to locate
Reverses: except for some late fifth century eastern issues.
1) CONCORDIA AVGGG If surviving quantity is plentiful enough, the same

2) FELIX ADVENTVS AVG M
3) FELIX ADVENTVS AVGGG cannot be said for richness in variety of types.
4) GLORIA REIPVBLICAE Continuing the trend begun decades before,
5) GLORIA ROMANORVM legends and bust types become more standardized
6) MONETA AVGG
7) PAX PERPETVA and the portraiture indistinct.
8) PERPETVITAS IMPERII
9) RESTITVTOR REIP
10) RESTITVTOR REIPVBLICAE The vast majority of bronzes will be of just two
11) SALVS REIP types: Gloria Romanorum and Securitas
12) SALVS REIPVBLICAE
13) SECVRITAS REIP
Reipublicae both of which were clearly of a
14) SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE militarily propagandist nature.
15) SPES R P
16) TRIVMFATOR GENT BARB
17) VICTORES AVGVSTI If this bit of numismatic ennui is disappointing it is
18) VICTORIA AVG at least compensated by a wonderfully complex
19) VICTORIA AVGG
20) VICTORIA AVGVSTE mintmarking system that spanned his entire reign.
21) VICTORIA AVGVSTI N It is quite possibly the most elaborate mintmark
23) VICTORIA DD NN AVG system ever devised for coins and may present the
24) VICTORIA DN AVGVSTI collector with the challenge of completing a set of
25) VICTORIAE DN AVG all known varieties (referred to as “emissions”); a
26) VICTORIAS AVGVSTORVM
27) VIRTVS EXERCITVS difficult proposition given that there are dozens of
28) VIRTVS EXSERCITI different combinations!
29) VIRTVS ROMANI EXERCITVS
30) VIRTVS ROMANORVM
31) VOTA PVBLICA
32) VRBS ROMA
33) No legend
Types:
1) City gate with (2) turrets, letter S above.
3) Monetae (3) standing, facing, holding scale and cornucopia.
4) Roma and Constantinopolis seated, facing, holding scepter and together shield reading VOT / X / MVL / XX
5) Roma and Constantinopolis seated, facing, holding scepter and together shield reading VOT / V / MVL / X
6) Roma seated left, holding Victory on globe and spear.
7) Roma seated, facing, holding Victory on globe and cornucopia next to Constantinopolis, holding Victory on globe and scepter.
8) Standards (4)
9) Valentinian I advancing right, dragging captive and holding labarum
10) Valentinian I and Valens seated, facing, each holding globe and scepter; shield reading VOT / V / MVL / X placed on genius in between them.
11) Valentinian I and Valens seated, facing, each holding mappa and scepter.
12) Valentinian I and Valens seated, facing, each holding mappa and scepter; seated captive on either side.
13) Valentinian I and Valens seated, facing, each holding mappa and together globe; Victory above and between them.
14) Valentinian I and Valens seated, facing, holding together globe; in between, Victory above and palm below.
15) Valentinian I and Valens seated, facing, holding together globe; Victory hovering above, crowning them both.
16) Valentinian I and Valens standing under arch, facing, each holding globe and scepter.
513
17) Valentinian I and Valens standing, facing, each holding globe and labarum.
18) Valentinian I and Valens standing, facing, each holding labarum and globe.
19) Valentinian I and Valens standing, facing, each holding labarum and together a Victory on globe crowning both.
20) Valentinian I and Valens standing, facing, each holding scepter and together a Victory on globe crowning both.
21) Valentinian I riding horse left, raising hand.
22) Valentinian I riding oncoming quadriga, dropping coins and holding Victory on globe
23) Valentinian I standing right, receiving shield from Hand of God above.
24) Valentinian I standing under arch, facing, holding spear and globe.
25) Valentinian I standing, facing, holding labarum and globe; Victory to right crowning him and seated captive to left.
26) Valentinian I standing, facing, holding labarum and resting hand on shield.
27) Valentinian I standing, facing, holding labarum and Victory on globe.
28) Valentinian I standing, facing, holding labarum and Victory on globe; kneeling captive to left.
29) Valentinian I standing, facing, holding labarum and Victory on globe; eagle with wreath in beak to lower right.
30) Valentinian I standing, facing, holding spear and resting hand on shield
31) Valentinian I standing, facing, holding Victory on globe and labarum; captive on either side.
32) Valentinian I standing, facing, stepping on captive, holding labarum and Victory on globe.
33) Victories (2) standing, facing each other, together holding shield reading VOT / V
35) Victory advancing right, dragging captive and holding trophy.
37) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / V / MVL / X; Genius to lower right also holding shield.
38) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / V / MVLT / X; Genius to lower right also holding shield
39) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / V; Genius to lower right also holding shield.
40) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / X / MVL / XX
41) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / X / MVLT / XX
42) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / X / VOT / XV
43) Victory standing left, stepping on captive, holding wreath and trophy.
44) Victory standing right, stepping on globe, holding shield reading VOT / X / MVLT / XV on column.
45) Victory standing, facing, holding wreath and shield on column reading VOT / X / MVLT / XX; captive on either side.
46) Victory standing, facing, holding wreath in each hand.
47) Wreath, VOT / V within.
48) Wreath, VOT / V / MVL / X within
50) Wreath, VOT / VX / MVLT / XX within
51) Wreath, VOT / X / MVLT / XV within.
52) Wreath, VOT / X / MVLT / XX within.
54) Wreath, VOTIS / X / MVLTIS / XV within
55) Wreath, VOTIS / XV / MVLTIS / XX within
Mints:
1) Alexandria 6) Cyzicus 11) Roma
2) Antioch 7) Heraclea 12) Sirmium
3) Aquileia 8) Lugdunum 13) Siscia
4) Arelate 9) Mediolanum 14) Thessalonica
5) Constantinopolis 10) Nicomedia 15) Treveri
1) B2, O2, R10, T27, M02 Exe: ANT`• RIC 2a (IX, Antiochia)
2) B2, O2, R10, T27, M04 Exe: KONST RIC 1a (IX, Arelate)
3) B2, O2, R10, T27, M08 Exe: SMLVG RIC 1a (IX, Lugdunum)
4) B2, O2, R10, T27, M10 Exe: SMN` RIC 2a (IX, Nicomedia)
5) B2, O2, R10, T27, M11 Exe: •R`¯ RIC 11 (IX, Roma)
6) B2, O2, R19, T14, M15 Exe: TR•OB• RIC 17a (IX, Treveri)
7) B2, O2, R30, T20, M05 Exe: ®CONS¯ RIC 5a (IX, Constantinopolis)
8) B3, O2, R10, T27, M02 Exe: •ANT`• RIC 2b (IX, Antiochia)
9) B3, O2, R19, T14, M15 Exe: TROB` RIC 17b (IX, Treveri)
10) B3, O2, R22, T41, M05 Exe: £/CONOB
11) B3, O2, R22, T42, M02 Exe: £/ANOB` RIC 22b (IX, Antiochia)
12) B4, O2, R11, T32, M13 Exe: */SMSISC¯ RIC 1a (IX, Siscia)
13) B4, O2, R31, T11, M09 Exe: MED RIC 3a (IX, Mediolanum)
14) B4, O2, R31, T12, M05 Exe: *CONS= RIC 29a (IX, Constantinopolis)
15) B7, O2, R17, T15, M15 Exe: TR•OB RIC 16b (IX, Treveri)
AU 1½ Scripulum
16) B2, O2, R07, T37, M14 Exe: TES• RIC 15 (IX, Thessalonica)
AR Miliarense
17) B2, O2, R22, T44, M11 Exe: R` RIC 8a corrected (IX, Roma)
18) B2, O2, R27, T26, M13 Exe: •SISC` RIC 10a (IX, Siscia)
19) B6, O2, R26, T33, M05 Exe: CONSP` RIC 10 (IX, Constantinopolis)
AR Siliqua
20) B2, O2, R32, T06, M11 Exe: R` RIC 11a (IX, Roma)
21) B2, O2, R32, T06, M15 Exe: TRP` RIC 27a (IX, Treveri)
22) B2, O2, R33, T47, M05 Exe: CP•` RIC 13a (IX, Constantinopolis)
23) B2, O2, R33, T50, M05 Exe: C£S RIC 38a (IX, Constantinopolis)
514
24) B2, O2, R33, T52, M05 Exe: ®C£S= RIC 37a (IX, Constantinopolis)
AE1 Reference(s)
25) B2, O2, R10, T27, M05 Exe: CONSP` RIC 15 (IX, Constantinopolis), L 2065
26) B2, O2, R10, T27, M07 Exe: SMH` RIC 1a (IX, Heraclea), L 1915
27) B2, O2, R10, T27, M10 Exe: SMN` L 2321
AE3
28) B2, O2, R05, T09, M03 Exe: •SMAQ`• RIC 11a.15 (IX, Aquileia), L 1023
30) B2, O2, R05, T09, M10 Exe: SMN` RIC 9a (IX, Nicomedia), L 2334
31) B2, O2, R05, T09, M13 Exe: * over A/D`SISC RIC 5a.7 (IX, Siscia), L 1294
32) B2, O2, R05, T09, M13 Exe: */•`SISC RIC 5a.9 (IX, Siscia)
33) B2, O2, R05, T09, M13 Exe: •`SISC RIC 5a.2 (IX, Siscia), L 1275
34) B2, O2, R05, T09, M13 Exe: D/*`SISC RIC 14a.11 (IX, Siscia), L 1305
35) B2, O2, R05, T09, M13 Exe: D`SISC RIC 5a.4 (IX, Siscia), L 1290
36) B2, O2, R05, T09, M13 Exe: F/A over K/`SISCV RIC 14a.33 (IX, Siscia), L 1390
37) B2, O2, R05, T09, M13 Exe: F/D over K/`SISC_ RIC 14a.43 (IX, Siscia), L 1478
38) B2, O2, R05, T09, M13 Exe: F/D over P/`SISC_ RIC 14a.44a (IX, Siscia)
39) B2, O2, R05, T09, M13 Exe: M over •/* over R over O/`SISC RIC 14a.21 (IX, Siscia), L 1349
40) B2, O2, R05, T09, M13 Exe: M/* over F/`SISC RIC 14a.16 (IX, Siscia), L 1327
41) B2, O2, R05, T09, M13 Exe: M/* over P/`SISC RIC 14a.17 (IX, Siscia), L 1331
42) B2, O2, R05, T09, M13 Exe: Q/* over K/`SISCV RIC 14a.37 (IX, Siscia)
43) B2, O2, R05, T09, M13 Exe: Q/A over !/`SISCV RIC 14a.30 (IX, Siscia), L 1384
44) B2, O2, R05, T09, M13 Exe: S over •/C over !/`SISC_ RIC 14a.38 (IX, Siscia), L 1450
45) B2, O2, R05, T09, M13 Exe: S/* over F/`SISC RIC 14a.15 (IX, Siscia), L 1323
46) B2, O2, R05, T09, M13 Exe: S/D/`SISC RIC 14a.13 (IX, Siscia), L 1315
47) B2, O2, R05, T09, M14 Exe: * over `/TES RIC 26a (IX, Thessalonica), L 1744
48) B2, O2, R05, T09, M14 Exe: */* over `/TES RIC 16a.17 (IX, Thessalonica), L 1749
49) B2, O2, R05, T09, M14 Exe: */• over D/TES
50) B2, O2, R05, T09, M14 Exe: TES` RIC 16a.1 (IX, Thessalonica), L 1704
51) B2, O2, R05, T09, M14 Exe: V/* over `/TES RIC 16a.38 (IX, Thessalonica), L 1803
52) B2, O2, R09, T27, M05 Exe: CONSP` RIC 20a.1 (IX, Constantinopolis), L 2066
53) B2, O2, R09, T27, M06 Exe: SMK` RIC 10a (IX, Cyzicus), L 2515
55) B2, O2, R09, T27, M12 Exe: `SIRM RIC 6a (IX, Sirmium), L 1627
56) B2, O2, R09, T27, M14 Exe: TES` RIC 17a (IX, Thessalonica), L 1702
57) B2, O2, R14, T34, M03 Exe: SMAQ` RIC 11a.16 (IX, Aquileia), L 1015
58) B2, O2, R14, T34, M04 Exe: `CONST RIC 7a.1 (IX, Arelate), L 477
59) B2, O2, R14, T34, M04 Exe: SMK` RIC 11a (IX, Cyzicus), L 2529
60) B2, O2, R14, T34, M05 Exe: •/CONS` RIC 42a.8 (IX, Constantinopolis), L 2109
61) B2, O2, R14, T34, M05 Exe: CONSP` RIC 21a (IX, Constantinopolis), L 2071
62) B2, O2, R14, T34, M11 Exe: R` Officina is spelled out in Latin; PRIMA, SECVNDA, TERTIA or QVARTA RIC 23 (IX, Roma), L 712
63) B2, O2, R14, T34, M11 Exe: SM\R` RIC 24a.10 (IX, Roma), L 730
64) B2, O2, R14, T34, M13 Exe: * over D/S/`SISC RIC 15a.14 (IX, Siscia), L 1321
65) B2, O2, R14, T34, M13 Exe: * over F/M/`SISC RIC 15a.16 (IX, Siscia)
66) B2, O2, R14, T34, M13 Exe: * over K/Q/`SISCV RIC 15a.27 (IX, Siscia), L 1370
67) B2, O2, R14, T34, M13 Exe: K over K/Q/`SISCV RIC 15a.32 (IX, Siscia), L 1389
68) B2, O2, R14, T34, M13 Exe: * over P/M/`SISC RIC 15a.17 (IX, Siscia)
69) B2, O2, R14, T34, M13 Exe: * over R over O/M/`SISC RIC 15a.22 (IX, Siscia)
70) B2, O2, R14, T34, M13 Exe: •`SISC RIC 7a.2 (IX, Siscia), L 1277
71) B2, O2, R14, T34, M13 Exe: A`SISC RIC 7a.1 (IX, Siscia), L 1271
72) B2, O2, R14, T34, M13 Exe: C over !/S over •/`SISC- RIC 15a.38 (IX, Siscia)
73) B2, O2, R14, T34, M13 Exe: D over P/F/`SISC_ RIC 15a.44 (IX, Siscia), L 1489
74) B2, O2, R14, T34, M13 Exe: D`SISC RIC 7a.1 (IX, Siscia), L 1292
75) B2, O2, R14, T34, M13 Exe: D/*`SISC RIC 15a.11 (IX, Siscia), L 1305
76) B2, O2, R14, T34, M13 Exe: D/S/`SISC RIC 15a.13 (IX, Siscia), L 1317
77) B2, O2, R14, T34, M13 Exe: K over P/Q/`SISCV RIC 15a.29 (IX, Siscia)
78) B2, O2, R14, T34, M13 Exe: R over K/F/`SISC_ RIC 15a.35 (IX, Siscia), L 1424
79) B2, O2, R14, T34, M13 Exe: R over K/F/`SISCS RIC 15a.35 (IX, Siscia), L 1426
80) B2, O2, R14, T34, M13 Exe: R over !/F/`SISCS RIC 15a.37 (IX, Siscia), L 1444
81) B2, O2, R14, T34, M13 Exe: R over K/S over •/`SISCK RIC 15a.36 (IX, Siscia), L 1432
82) B2, O2, R14, T34, M14 Exe: TES` RIC 18a.1 (IX, Thessalonica), L 1706
83) B2, O2, R33, T49, M12 Exe: `SIRM RIC 8 (IX, Sirmium), L 1629
515
Valentinian I Busts
Valentinian I Types
516
Valens was the younger brother of Valentinian who made him co-
Valens emperor soon after his own accession. He then sent Valens off to
take care of the eastern portion of the empire. Making
Constantinople his capital, he dealt with the Persian factor as best
Augustus 364-378 he could which wasn't all that great and saw his borders shrink as
a consequence. His ineptitude showed most compellingly at the
battle of Adrianople in 378. Resettled barbarians had been allowed
within the nominal borders of the empire but were allowed to keep their arms. As the barbarians became
squeezed from the double whammy of external tribes pushing against their lands and the systematic and extra-
official hard-line policies of lower Roman government officials they became aggressive once more and aimed to
push southward.
Near the city of Adrianople they gathered with the intention of making war and Valens prepared to meet them in
battle. He sent for reinforcements from Gratian but before these could arrive he figured in a bout of short-sighted
arrogance that he could go at it alone and claim the glory all to himself afterward. On an exceedingly poorly
executed attack plan the Romans attacked the barbarians. In what apparently was meant to be a surprise attack,
he rushed the barbarians before getting his soldiers into formation and before they had eaten. It was also a very
hot and dusty day making their attack that much more energy-sapping. The barbarians watched as their
counterparts fumbled and figured out their strategy. Their general sent his cavalry in an outflanking maneuver and
managed to encircle Valens's infantry and subsequently slaughtered most. Valens himself perished in battle and
the loss of the army along with the demoralizing effect to the rest of the military was another step in the inexorable
fall of the empire almost one hundred years later.
Busts:
As was just mentioned with Valentinian, his
2) Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust right brother Valens shares an almost identical run of
3) Diademed (rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust left issues. Neither one is represented more than
5) Diademed bust left, wearing imperial mantle, holding mappa and scepter
the other while the two reigned though Valens,
6) Diademed bust left, wearing imperial mantle, raising hand and holding scepter outliving Valentinian for three years or so, has a
7) Helmeted, cuirassed bust left, holding spear and shield longer time in which to strike coins. Still, seeing
that both are so common to begin wth rarity is
Obverses: not a concern.
1) DN VALENS AVG
2) DN VALENS MAX AVGVSTVS Although quite rare, both brothers were to strike
3) DN VALENS PER AVG the last hefty bronze coins, the AE1 class, the
4) DN AVLENS PF AVG
5) DN VALENS PER F AVG empire would see until Anastasius‟ reform of
6) DN VALENS PF AVG 498 kicks off the Byzantine coinage period.
7) IMP CE VALENS PF AVG
8) VALENS AVGVS
From here onwards the bronzes will only get
smaller and increasingly shoddier.
Reverses:
1) CONCORDIA AVGGG 18) SPES RP
2) DN VALENS VICTOR SEMPER 19) TRIVMFATOR GENT BARB
3) FELICITAS ROMANORVM 20) VICT DD NN AVGG
4) FELIX ADVENTVS AVG N 21) VICTORES AVGVSTI
5) FELIX ADVENTVS AVGGG 22) VICTORIA AVG
6) GLORIA REIPVBLICAE 23) VICTORIA AVGG
7) GLORIA MORANORVM 24) VICTORIA AVGGG
8) GLORIA ROMANORVM 25) VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM
9) MONETA AVGG 26) VICTORIA DD NN AVG
10) MONETA AVGGG 27) VICTORIA DN AVG
11) PAX PERPETVA 28) VICTORIA DN AVGVSTI
12) PIETAS DDD NNN AVGVSTORVM 29) VIRTVS EXERCITVS
13) RESTITVTOR REIP 30) VIRTVS ROMANORVM
14) RESTITVTOR REIPVBLICAE 31) VOTA PVBLICA
15) SALVS REIP 32) VRBS ROMA
16) SALVS REIPVBLICAE 33) No legend
Types:
1) City gate with (2) turrets; S above.
2) Monetae (3) standing, facing, each holding scale and cornucopia.
3) Roma and Constantinopolis seated, facing, each holding scepter and together holding shield reading VOT / X / MVLT / XV
4) Roma and Constantinopolis seated, facing, each holding scepter and together holding shield reading VOT / X / MVLT / XX
5) Roma and Constantinopolis seated, facing, each holding scepter and together holding shield reading VOT / V / MVLT / X
6) Roma seated left on cuirass, holding Victory on globe and spear
517
7) Roma seated left on throne, holding Victory on globe and spear
8) Standards (3)
9) Standards (4)
10) Valens advancing right, dragging captive and holding labarum.
11) Valens advancing right, dragging captive and holding standard.
12) Valens and Valentinian I seated, facing, each holding a globe and scepter; shield on Genius between them reading VOT / V / MVL / X.
13) Valens and Valentinian I seated, facing, each holding a mappa and scepter; two hunched captives below.
14) Valens and Valentinian I seated, facing, each holding a mappa.
15) Valens and Valentinian I seated, facing, each raising hand and holding globe
16) Valens and Valentinian I seated, facing, holding together globe; Victory above and palm between them.
17) Valens and Valentinian I standing under arch, facing, each holding a scepter and globe.
18) Valens riding horse left, raising hand
19) Valens standing under arch, facing, holding spear and globe.
20) Valens standing, facing, holding labarum and globe; kneeling captive to left.
21) Valens standing, facing, holding labarum and resting hand on shield
22) Valens standing, facing, holding labarum and Victory on globe.
23) Valens standing, facing, holding mappa and scepter.
24) Valens standing, facing, holding spear and resting hand on shield.
25) Valens standing, facing, holding standard and Victory on globe.
26) Valens standing, facing, holding Victory on globe and labarum.
27) Valens standing, facing, stepping on captive, holding labarum and Victory on globe
28) Valens, Gratian and Valentinian II standing, facing, each holding scepter.
29) Victories (2) standing, facing each other, holding together shield reading VOT / V
32) Victory seated right, holding shield on column reading VOT / V / MVL / X
33) Victory seated right, holding shield on column reading VOT / X / MVLT / XX
34) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / V / MVLT / X; Genius to right also holding shield.
35) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / V; Genius to right also holding shield.
36) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / X / MVL / XX
37) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / X / MVLT / XX; Genius to right also holding shield.
38) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / XV / MVLT / XXV
39) Victory standing left, stepping on captive, holding wreath and trophy.
40) Victory standing right, stepping on globe, holding shield on column reading VOT / V / MVLT / X
41) Victory standing right, stepping on globe, holding shield on column reading VOT / X / MVLT / XV
42) Victory standing right, stepping on globe, holding shield on column reading VOT / V / MVLTIS / X
43) Victory standing, facing, holding wreath in each hand
45) Wreath, VOT / V / MVLTIS / X within
47) Wreath, VOT / VX / MVLT / XX within
48) Wreath, VOT / X / MVL / XX within
51) Wreath, VOT / XV / MVLT / XX within.
52) Wreath, VOT / XX / MVLT / XXX within
55) Wreath, VOTIS / X / MVLTIS / XX within
56) Wreath, VOTIS / XV / MVLTIS / XX within
Mints:

1) B2, O5, R14, T22, M02 Exe: ¤/ANT` RIC 2c (IX, Antiochia)
2) B2, O5, R14, T22, M02 Exe: ANT` RIC 2d.19 (IX, Antiochia)
3) B2, O6, R14, T22, M05 Exe: CONS= RIC 3d (IX, Constantinopolis)
4) B2, O6, R14, T22, M10 Exe: SMN` RIC 2b (IX, Nicomedia)
5) B2, O6, R23, T16, M15 Exe: TROB` RIC 39b (IX, Treveri)
6) B2, O6, R25, T37, M02 Exe: AN RIC 24b (IX, Antiochia)
7) B4, O5, R25, T38, M02 Exe: £/ANOB`
8) B4, O6, R14, T22, M05 Exe: *CONS= RIC 25b (IX, Constantinopolis)
9) B4, O6, R23, T16, M15 Exe: TR•OB• RIC 17 (IX, Treveri)
10) B5, O6, R08, T04, M02 Exe: ANOB` RIC 16d (IX, Antiochia)
11) B5, O6, R15, T27, M14 Exe: * over */SMTES` RIC 3b (IX, Thessalonica)
12) B5, O6, R31, T13, M10 Exe: S/I/MN RIC 16b.5 (IX, Nicomedia)
AU Scripulum
13) B2, O6, R25, T36, M02 Exe: ¢/ANOB` RIC 26.2 (IX, Antiochia)
14) B2, O6, R25, T38, M02 Exe: ANT
AR Miliarense
15) B2, O6, R29, T21, M13 Exe: •SISC` RIC 10b (IX, Siscia)
16) B2, O6, R29, T21, M15 Exe: SMTR RIC 26b.1 (IX, Treveri)
17) B2, O6, R29, T21, M15 Exe: TRPS RIC 42a (IX, Treveri)
518
18) B2, O6, R33, T50, M02 Exe: ANT*
19) B2, O6, R32, T06, M03 Exe: AQPS RIC 15a (IX, Aquileia)
20) B2, O6, R32, T07, M15 Exe: TRPS RIC 27e (IX, Treveri)
21) B2, O6, R32, T07, M15 Exe: TRPS• RIC 45b (IX, Treveri)
22) B2, O6, R33, T50, M02 Exe: •ANT* RIC 34d.3 (IX, Antiochia)
23) B2, O6, R33, T50, M02 Exe: •ANT` RIC 34d.6 (IX, Antiochia)
24) B2, O6, R33, T50, M02 Exe: ANT•• RIC 34d.1 (IX, Antiochia)
25) B2, O6, R33, T50, M05 Exe: ®C£S= RIC 37b (IX, Constantinopolis)
26) B2, O6, R33, T51, M13 Exe: SISCPS RIC 13a (IX, Siscia)
27) B2, O6, R33, T52, M05 Exe: CONCM RIC 42 (IX, Constantinopolis)
28) B4, O6, R33, T46, M05 Exe: C•` RIC 13d.8 (IX, Constantinopolis)
AE1
29) B2, O6, R14, T22, M03 Exe: SMAQ` RIC 6b (IX, Aquileia), L 962
AE2
30) B2, O6, R14, T22, M10 Exe: SMN` RIC 7b (IX, Nicomedia), L 2322
AE3
31) B1, O6, R07, T01, M05 Exe: COMTM

32) B2, O6, R08, T10, M02 Exe: ANT` RIC 10b (IX, Antiochia)
33) B2, O6, R08, T10, M05 Exe: CONS` RIC 16c.7 (IX, Constantinopolis)
34) B2, O6, R08, T10, M06 Exe: SMK` RIC 8b (IX, Cyzicus)
35) B2, O6, R08, T10, M07 Exe: SMH` RIC 3b (IX, Heraclea)
37) B2, O6, R08, T10, M13 Exe: * over A/D`SISC RIC 5b.7 (IX, Siscia)
38) B2, O6, R08, T10, M13 Exe: `SISC RIC 5b.1 (IX, Siscia)
39) B2, O6, R08, T10, M13 Exe: •`SISC RIC 5b.2 (IX, Siscia)
40) B2, O6, R08, T10, M13 Exe: D/*SISC` RIC 14b.11 (IX, Siscia), L 1306
41) B2, O6, R08, T10, M13 Exe: D`SISC RIC 5b.4 (IX, Siscia), L 1291
42) B2, O6, R08, T10, M13 Exe: M/* over P/`SISC
43) B2, O6, R08, T10, M13 Exe: R/•`SISC RIC 14b.10 (IX, Siscia), L 1300
44) B2, O6, R08, T10, M14 Exe: */* over `/TES RIC 26b.17 (IX, Thessalonica), L 1750
45) B2, O6, R08, T10, M14 Exe: M/* over `/TES RIC 26b.30 (IX, Thessalonica), L 1781
46) B2, O6, R08, T10, M14 Exe: M/`/TES RIC 26b.28 (IX, Thessalonica), L 1775
47) B2, O6, R08, T10, M14 Exe: TES` RIC 26b.1 (IX, Thessalonica), L 1705
48) B2, O6, R08, T10, M14 Exe: V/* over `/TES RIC 26b.38 (IX, Thessalonica)
49) B2, O6, R08, T10, M14 Exe: Z/* over `/TES RIC 26b.35 (IX, Thessalonica)
50) B2, O6, R08, T10, M14 Exe: Z/• over `/TES RIC 26b.34 (IX, Thessalonica), L 1790
51) B2, O6, R08, T30, M15 Exe: */TR` RIC 31.8 (IX, Treveri), L 107
52) B2, O6, R13, T22, M05 Exe: CONS` RIC 20b (IX, Constantinopolis)
53) B2, O6, R13, T22, M07 Exe: SMH` RIC 4c (IX, Heraclea)
54) B2, O6, R13, T22, M14 Exe: TES` RIC 17b (IX, Thessalonica), L 1703
55) B2, O6, R17, T30, M03 Exe: */•/•SMAQ` RIC 18b.19 (IX, Aquileia)
56) B2, O6, R17, T30, M03 Exe: */SMAQ` RIC 12b.18 (IX, Aquileia), L 1036
57) B2, O6, R17, T30, M03 Exe: ¨/SMAQ` RIC 11b.9 (IX, Aquileia)
58) B2, O6, R17, T30, M03 Exe: ¤/SMAQ` RIC 9b.7 (IX, Aquileia), L 987
59) B2, O6, R17, T30, M03 Exe: A/SMAQ` RIC 9b.1 (IX, Aquileia), L 968
60) B2, O6, R17, T30, M03 Exe: B over •/SMAQ` RIC 9b.3 (IX, Aquileia), L 976
61) B2, O6, R17, T30, M03 Exe: SMAQ` RIC 11b.16 (IX, Aquileia), L 1015
62) B2, O6, R17, T30, M04 Exe: OF/III/CONST RIC 17b (IX, Arelate)
63) B2, O6, R17, T30, M05 Exe: •/CONS` RIC 21c (IX, Constantinopolis)
65) B2, O6, R17, T30, M07 Exe: */=/SMH` RIC 10b (IX, Heraclea)
67) B2, O6, R17, T30, M08 Exe: OF over ¶ / I over R RIC 21b.29 (IX, Lugdunum)
69) B2, O6, R17, T30, M13 Exe: * over A/D`SISC RIC 7b.7 (IX, Siscia)
70) B2, O6, R17, T30, M13 Exe: * over D/S/`SISC RIC 15b.14 (IX, Siscia), L 1322
71) B2, O6, R17, T30, M13 Exe: * over K/Q/`SISCR RIC 15b.29 (IX, Siscia)
72) B2, O6, R17, T30, M13 Exe: * over P/M/`SISC RIC 15b.17 (IX, Siscia)
73) B2, O6, R17, T30, M13 Exe: •`SISC RIC 7b.2 (IX, Siscia)
74) B2, O6, R17, T30, M13 Exe: A over K/Q/`SISCR RIC 15b.30 (IX, Siscia), L 1383
75) B2, O6, R17, T30, M13 Exe: C over !/S over •/`SISCE RIC 15b.38 (IX, Siscia)
76) B2, O6, R17, T30, M13 Exe: D`SISC RIC 7b.4 (IX, Siscia), L 1293
77) B2, O6, R17, T30, M13 Exe: K over P/Q/`SISCR RIC 15b.27 (IX, Siscia)
78) B2, O6, R17, T30, M13 Exe: R over !/S over •/`SISCE RIC 15b.36 (IX, Siscia)
79) B2, O6, R17, T30, M13 Exe: R over K/Q/`SISCR RIC 15b.32 (IX, Siscia)
80) B2, O6, R17, T30, M14 Exe: * over Z/A/TES` RIC 27b.25 (IX, Thessalonica)
81) B2, O6, R17, T30, M14 Exe: */TES` RIC 27b.3 (IX, Thessalonica), L 1714
82) B2, O6, R17, T30, M14 Exe: TES` RIC 27b.1 (IX, Thessalonica), L 1707
83) B2, O6, R17, T30, M14 Exe: Δ/=/TES` RIC 27b.20 (IX, Thessalonica)
84) B2, O6, R17, T39, M11 Exe: */SMR` (star is in left field) RIC 28a.9 (IX, Roma)
85) B2, O6, R17, T39, M11 Exe: R•` Officina is spelled out in Latin; PRIMA, SECVNDA, TERTIA or QVARTA RIC 23b (IX, Roma), L 719
519
Valens Busts
Valens Types
520
Some contemporary historians of Procopius claim that Julian II

Procopius had meant for the general to succeed him instead of Jovian.
Whether true or not, Jovian gained the throne and Procopius,
an otherwise well-regarded general, dimmed in the
Augustus 365-366 background. Jovian soon died, however, and Valentinian
became the next emperor. Procopius still had an itch for the
position and began to make his moves. Biding his time
carefully, he waited for Valentinian's brother and colleague, Valens, to leave on an expedition and with the help of
a few key conspirators had himself proclaimed emperor. Because now Valens was away with the bulk of his
troops there was nothing that could be immediately done about the insurrection and Procopius was able to hold on
to Constantinopolis and a few adjacent provinces.
By the time Valens had wrapped up with his initial conflict, Procopius had been unable to secure the loyalty of
several leading generals and his power base dwindled as Valens approached. Seeing that all was lost he fled but
was captured and executed.
Busts:
Procopius is quite a bit tougher to find than either Julian II or
1) Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust left Jovian who came just before his own rise to power. Part of
2) Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
3) Diademed, cuirassed bust right the reason is that as usurper Procopius had access to fewer
mints and, of course, he was in power only for a year.
Obverse:
But even with these two factors considered the fact is that
1) DN PROCOPIVS PF AVG Procopius struck far fewer coins than either of those
emperors. Even for a one year reign this was a prolific age in
Reverses: the minting of coins, especially out of the central
Constantinoplis mint. One might be tempted to suspect that
1) REPARATIO FEL TEMP
2) No legend upon Valens‟s retaking of the city in 366 much of the
precious coinage in the name of Procopius might have been
Types: recalled, melted and reissued but even if this was the case
no emperor would have bothered with the bronzes which are
1) Procopius standing, facing, holding labarum and resting hand on correspondingly scarce as well.
shield
2) Procopius standing, facing, holding labarum and resting hand on
shield; Chi-Rho in upper right field The AE3‟s feature a primary design with the emperor facing
3) Procopius standing, facing, holding labarum and resting hand on and holding a labarum and shield. Typically these are
shield; Chi-Rho in upper right field and object to lower left.
4) Procopius standing, facing, holding labarum and resting hand on accompanied by a Christogram and an object on the floor
shield; object to lower left. that look like two stacked globes or similar shapes. While a
5) Procopius standing, facing, holding spear and resting hand on
shield. tentative identification could be a helmet it is not a very
6) Wreath, VOT / V within convincing one. The design that includes this object is
unique to his reign.
Mints:
One of these bronzes, if not very attractive, can be found
1) Constantinopolis
2) Cyzicus
every now and then on eBay for $50-$100 with nicer grades
3) Heraclea going for twice or three times that much. Siliquae are rare
4) Nicomedia and expensive although not prohibitively so.
1) B2, O1, R1, T1, M1 Exe: CONS RIC 2b (IX, Constantinopolis)
AR Siliqua
2) B2, O1, R2, T6, M1 Exe: .C.` RIC 13e.11 (IX, Constantinopolis)
3) B2, O1, R2, T6, M1 Exe: C.` RIC 13e.6 (IX, Constantinopolis)
4) B2, O1, R2, T6, M2 Exe: KV` RIC 3a (IX, Cyzicus)
AE3
5) B1, O1, R1, T2, M2 Exe: *SMH` RIC 7.8 (IX, Cyzicus)
6) B1, O1, R1, T2, M2 Exe: ./SMH` RIC 7.5 (IX, Cyzicus)
7) B1, O1, R1, T2, M2 Exe: ./SMN` RIC 10.3 (IX, Nicomedia)
8) B1, O1, R1, T3, M1 Exe: CONS`* RIC 17a (IX, Constantinopolis), L 2082
9) B1, O1, R1, T3, M2 Exe: *SMK` RIC 7 (IX, Cyzicus), L 2525
521
10) B2, O1, R1, T4, M1 Exe: CONS`
11) B2, O1, R1, T5, M1 Exe: CONS` RIC 19 (IX, Constantinopolis)
Procopius Busts
Procopius Types
522
An early supporter of Christianity, Gratian vigorously and
Gratian systematically rooted out paganism wherever he could and went

so far as to refuse the title of Pontifex Maximus, the highest
religious position, feeling that this title belonged to a true religious
leader. His early career was marked by his competent dealing with
Augustus 367-383 the troublesome barbarians north of Italy while later in his career
he withdrew somewhat from his duties to pursue personal
ambitions. He died at the hands of his own soldiers in hopes of appeasing the presumed superior forces of
Magnus Maximus who were approaching to a deciding battle.
Busts:
As far as bronzes go, Gratian‟s coins are only
2) Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust right slightly harder to find than those of the
3) Diademed (rosettes), cuirassed bust right contemporary brother duo of Valentinian I
4) Diademed (rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust left
5) Diademed (rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust right and Valens.
6) Helmeted, cuirassed bust left, holding mappa and scepter
7) Helmeted, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right, holding spear and shield
Coins are also comparatively plentiful in
silver and gold as well. Nice Siliquae may be
Obverse:
found in the low hundreds of dollars while the
1) DN GRATIANVS PF AVG typical Solidus may run only two or three
times as much.
Reverses:
Numismatically more significant, Gratian‟s
1) CONCORDIA AVGG reign – in tandem with Valentinian II and
2) CONCORDIA AVGGG
3) FELICITAS REIPVBLICAE Theodosius I – initiates the shift away from
4) FELICITAS ROMANORVM AE3‟s towards the smaller AE4 module.
5) FELIX ADVENTVS AVG N
6) GLORIA NOVI SAECVLI
7) GLORIA REIPVB While small bronze denominations had
8) GLORIA ROMANORVM
9) MONETA AVGG
intermittently been issued for the whole of the
10) PERPETVETAS imperial period, under Gratian they become
11) PRINCIPIVM IVVENTVTIS for the first time the predominant form of
12) REPARATIO REIPVB
13) RESTITVTOR REIPVBLICAE coinage for civilians in general. This last
14) SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE phase would go on for over 100 years more
15) SPES RP
16) VICTORIA DN AVG all the meanwhile the coins growing smaller
17) VICTORIA AVGG and cruder in design and craftsmanship.
18) VICTORIA AVGGG
20) VIRTVS EXERCITVS Well into the reign of Anastasius I, a full
21) VIRTVS ROMANORVM generation after the fall of Rome, he would
22) VOTA PVBLICA
23) VRBS ROMA finally do away with these wretched little
24) No legend things and begin minting the first hefty
bronzes to be seen since the Folles of the
Types: late 200‟s.
1) City gate with (2) turrets; S above.
2) Constantinopolis seated, facing, holding scepter and cornucopia. These Folles, as they were again to be
3) Constantinopolis seated, facing, holding spear. called, marked the beginning of the
4) Constantinopolis seated, facing, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter and globe.
5) Constantinopolis seated, facing, stepping on galley prow, holding globe and spear. Byzantine period, at least as it‟s understood
6) Gratian advancing right, dragging captive and holding labarum. within the field of numismatics.
7) Gratian and Theodosius I (or Valentinian II) seated, facing, each holding mappa and
scepter.
8) Gratian and Theodosius I (or Valentinian II) seated, facing, each holding mappa and globe.
9) Gratian and Theodosius I (or Valentinian II) seated, facing, each holding a globe and scepter; genius between them holding shield reading VOT / V / MVL / X
10) Gratian and Theodosius I (or Valentinian II) seated, facing, together holding globe over palm and each a mappa; Victory above them both.
11) Gratian riding horse left, raising hand
12) Gratian standing left on galley, raising hand; Victory seated to right, steering galley.
13) Gratian standing right, holding spear and globe.
14) Gratian standing, facing, holding hand of kneeling woman with cornucopia to left and labarum.
15) Gratian standing, facing, holding hand of kneeling woman with cornucopia to left and Victory on globe.
16) Gratian standing, facing, holding labarum and resting hand on shield.
17) Gratian standing, facing, holding labarum and Victory on globe; eagle with wreath in beak to lower right.
18) Gratian standing, facing, holding Victory on globe and labarum with Victory atop.
19) Monetae (3) standing, facing, holding scale and cornucopiae.
20) Phoenix on globe
21) Roma seated left, holding globe and spear.
22) Roma seated left, holding Victory on globe and scepter.
23) Roma seated, facing, holding globe and scepter.
24) Roma seated, facing, holding scepter and globe.
25) Roma, holding Victory on globe and scepter and Constantinopolis, holding Victory on globe and cornucopia, stepping on galley prow; both seated, facing.
27) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / V / MVLT / X
523
30) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / V / MVLT / X; genius to right also holding shield.
31) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / X; genius to right also holding shield.
32) Victory standing right, stepping on globe, holding shield on cippus reading VOT / V / MVLT / X
35) Wreath, VOT / VX / MVLT / XX within.
38) Wreath, VOT / XV / MVLT / XX within.
39) Wreath, VOT / XX / MVLT / XXX within.
40) Wreath, VOTIS / V / MVLTIS / X within.
41) Wreath, VOTIS / V within.
42) Wreath, VOTIS / X / MVLTIS / XX within.
43) Wreath, VOTIS / XV / MVLTIS / XX within.
Mints:
1) B5, O1, R08, T10, M15 Exe: TROB` Double Solidus
2) B5, O1, R08, T25, M02 Exe: ANTOB` Double Solidus
AU Solidus
3) B2, O1, R02, T04, M05 Exe: CONOB RIC 43a (IX, Constantinopolis)
4) B2, O1, R11, T13, M05 Exe: *CONS= RIC 24 (IX, Constantinopolis)
5) B2, O1, R17, T10, M15 Exe: TROB` RIC 39d (IX, Treveri)
6) B2, O1, R19, T28, M02 Exe: £/ANOB` RIC 21a (IX, Antioch)
8) B5, O1, R17, T10, M15 Exe: TROB` RIC 17g (IX, Treveri)
AU Scripulum
9) B2, O1, R16, T26, M05 Exe: CONS
AR Miliarense
AR Siliqua
11) B2, O1, R21, T23, M15 Exe: TRPS RIC 58a (IX, Treveri), C 54
12) B2, O1, R23, T22, M15 Exe: TRPS RIC 27f (IX, Treveri), C 86
13) B2, O1, R23, T22, M15 Exe: TRPS• RIC 45c (IX, Treveri), C 86
14) B2, O1, R23, T33, M05 Exe: ®C£` RIC 36e (IX, Constantinopolis)
15) B2, O1, R23, T37, M02 Exe: ANT* RIC 34f (IX, Antiochia)
16) B2, O1, R24, T36, M13 Exe: SISCPS RIC 25 (IX, Siscia), C 72
AE1
17) B2, O1, R23, T21, M11 Exe: R` RIC 42a (IX, Roma), C 88
AE2
18) B2, O1, R12, T15, M08 Exe: LVG` RIC 28a (IX, Lugdunum)
19) B2, O1, R12, T15, M08 Exe: S/LVG` RIC 28a (IX, Lugdunum)
20) B2, O1, R12, T15, M11 Exe: R` RIC 43a (IX, Roma)
21) B2, O1, R12, T15, M11 Exe: SMR` RIC 43a (IX, Roma)
22) B2, O1, R12, T15, M13 Exe: *`SISC RIC 26a (IX, Siscia)
23) B2, O1, R12, T15, M13 Exe: *`SISC• RIC 26a (IX, Siscia)
24) B2, O1, R12, T15, M13 Exe: `SISC RIC 26a (IX, Siscia)
25) B2, O1, R12, T15, M13 Exe: `SISC• RIC 26a (IX, Siscia)
26) B2, O1, R12, T15, M14 Exe: `/SMTES RIC 37a (IX, Thessalonica)
27) B2, O1, R14, T26, M11 Exe: SM\R` RIC 28a (IX, Roma)
28) B7, O1, R08, T12, M02 Exe: =/ANT` RIC 40a (IX, Antiochia)
29) B7, O1, R08, T12, M05 Exe: =/CON` RIC 52a (IX, Constantinopolis)
30) B7, O1, R08, T12, M06 Exe: =/SMK` RIC 14a (IX, Cyzicus)
31) B7, O1, R08, T12, M07 Exe: SMH` RIC 11a (IX, Heraclea)
524
AE3 Reference(s)
32) B2, O1, R02, T23, M05 Exe: CONS` RIC 56a (IX, Constantinopolis)
33) B2, O1, R02, T23, M06 Exe: ¢/SMK` RIC 17a (IX, Cyzicus)
34) B2, O1, R02, T23, M13 Exe: `SISC RIC 27a (IX, Siscia)
35) B2, O1, R02, T24, M07 Exe: *SMH` RIC 15a (IX, Heraclea)
36) B2, O1, R02, T24, M07 Exe: ¢/SMH` RIC 14a (IX, Heraclea)
37) B2, O1, R08, T06, M13 Exe: • over M/* over P/`SISC RIC 14c.18 (IX, Siscia)
38) B2, O1, R08, T06, M13 Exe: • over M/* over R over O/`SISC RIC 14c.20 (IX, Siscia)
39) B2, O1, R08, T06, M13 Exe: D/*`SISC RIC 14c.11 (IX, Siscia)
40) B2, O1, R08, T06, M13 Exe: F/D over P/`SISCE RIC 14c.44a (IX, Siscia)
41) B2, O1, R08, T06, M13 Exe: F/R over !/`SISCE RIC 14c.35 (IX, Siscia)
42) B2, O1, R08, T06, M13 Exe: M/* over F/`SISC RIC 14c.16 (IX, Siscia)
43) B2, O1, R08, T06, M13 Exe: M/* over P/`SISC RIC 14c.17 (IX, Siscia)
44) B2, O1, R08, T06, M13 Exe: Q/* over K/`SISCE RIC 14c.27 (IX, Siscia)
45) B2, O1, R08, T06, M13 Exe: Q/* over K/`SISCR RIC 14c.27 (IX, Siscia)
46) B2, O1, R08, T06, M13 Exe: Q/* over R over O/`SISCR RIC 14c (IX, Siscia)
47) B2, O1, R08, T06, M13 Exe: Q/A over K/`SISCE RIC 14c.30 (IX, Siscia)
48) B2, O1, R08, T06, M13 Exe: Q/K over K/`SISCE RIC 14c.32 (IX, Siscia)
49) B2, O1, R08, T06, M14 Exe: V/* over `/TES RIC 31c (IX, Thessalonica)
50) B2, O1, R14, T26, M04 Exe: `CON RIC 19b (IX, Arelate)
51) B2, O1, R14, T26, M11 Exe: R•` Officina is spelled out in Latin; PRIMA, SECVNDA, TERTIA or QVARTA RIC 23c (IX, Roma), L 720
52) B2, O1, R14, T26, M11 Exe: SMR` RIC 28c (IX, Roma)
53) B2, O1, R14, T26, M13 Exe: D/*`SISC RIC 15c (IX, Siscia), L 1310
54) B2, O1, R21, T23, M02 Exe: ANT` RIC 50a (IX, Antiochia)
AE4
55) B2, O1, R24, T38, M04 Exe: `CON RIC 24 (IX, Arelate), L 552
56) B2, O1, R24, T38, M13 Exe: `SISC RIC 31a (IX, Siscia), L 1539
Gratian Busts
Gratian Types
525
Valentinian II was the son of Valentinian I and became
Valentinian II emperor when his father died. He was still only a child at the time
and the Western empire was divided between him and his half-
brother Gratian. However, while Gratian ruled at his will,
Augustus 375-392 Valentinian was too young and, instead, several behind-the-scenes
characters exercised the real power on his behalf.
After Gratian's death Valentinian faced a major threat from Magnus Maximus who was gobbling up the Western
empire and had no room for him in his quest. He solicited and then received help from Theodosius, the emperor of
the East, who subsequently came to his aid and defeated Maximus. However, Valentinian was still unable to
shake the web of control that others had over him. Theodosius lingered in Italy after the defeat of Maximus and
essentially ruled the entire empire from Valentinian's own court while simultaneously relegating Valentinian to the
background. When he finally left, he appointed one of his commanders, Arbogastes, as an administrative aide for
Valentinian II.
This would be a thinly veiled puppet of Theodosius. Valentinian, not being the wiser, complained to Theodosius by
correspondence about his situation and lack of empowerment. The complaints fell on deaf ears as this was,
naturally, all part of Theodosius's plans. When he saw nothing would be done about the issue he summoned the
courage to force Arbogastes to retire only to have the general tear up the resignation letter in his face. He then
sneered and derided Valentinian with a comment to the effect that he wasn't taking orders from him. In a fit of
anger Valentinian grabbed a sword and started for Arbogastes but was held back by guards. Two days later he
was found hung in a room. Whether he committed suicide in despair over his powerlessness or was assassinated
directly on account of Arbogastes is left to speculation.
Busts:
2) Diademed (rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust right Like other guys from this period, one finds
3) Diademed bust left, wearing imperial mantle, holding mappa and scepter many coins of this emperor on the market.
5) Diademed, draped bust left, holding mappa and scepter
Most newer collectors will be introduced by
6) Helmeted, cuirassed bust right, holding scepter with Chi-Rho atop and shield way of the many, many AE4‟s available. These
7) Helmeted, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right, holding spear and shield comprise one of two main types: the Victory
advancing left, hauling a captive and the
Obverses: quintessentially Roman “Vota” issue.
1) DN VALENTINIANS PF AVG
2) DN VALENTINIANVS IVN PF AVG Coins with these Vota themes are religious
3) DN VALENTINIANVS PF AVG commitments made in exchange for time
served. For example, an emperor who has
Reverses:
made it five years on the throne might issue a
1) CONCORDIA AVGGG commemorative of that milestone with a simple
2) CONCORDIA AVGGGG VOT/V encased in a wreath. A more optimistic
3) FELIX ADVENTVS AVG N emperor may go ahead and issue coins with
4) GLORIA REIPVBLICE
5) GLORIA ROMANORVM various numerals followed by a “MVLT”, or
6) PERPETVETAS multiplier, of however many more years he
7) REPARATIO REIPVB
8) RESTITVTOR REIP thinks he will stay in power… and then, if that
9) RESTITVTOR REIPVBLICAE term is achieved, to be renewed again.
12) SPES REIPVBLICAE Asides from bronzes, the silver Siliqua and the
13) TRIVMFATOR GENT BARB gold Solidus are also easy to find and
14) VICTORIA AVG
15) VICTORIA AVGG comparatively affordable with rough estimates
16) VICTORIA AVGGG for common types costing $150 and $500,
18) VIRTVS AVGGG respectively.
19) VIRTVS EXERCITI
21) VIRTVS ROMANORVM
22) VOTA PVBLICA
23) VRBS ROMA
24) VRBS ROMA FELIX
25) No legend
Types:
1) City gate with two turrets
2) Constantinopolis seated, facing, holding scepter and shield reading VOT / X / MVLT / XV
3) Constantinopolis seated, facing, holding scepter and shield reading VOT / X / MVLT / XX
526
4) Constantinopolis seated, facing, stepping on globe, holding scepter and globe.
5) Phoenix standing left on globe.
7) Roma seated, facing, holding globe and spear
8) Roma, holding scepter and Constantinopolis, stepping on galley prow, holding shield reading VOT / XV / MVLT / XX and scepter; both seated, facing.
9) Roma, holding Victory on globe and scepter and Constantinopolis, stepping on galley prow, holding Victory on globe and cornucopia, bothe seated, facing.
10) Valentinian II advancing right, dragging captive and holding labarum.
11) Valentinian II and Gratian (or Theodosius I) seated, facing, each holding a mappa and scepter.
12) Valentinian II and Gratian (or Theodosius I) seated, facing, together holding globe over palm; Victory above and in between them.
13) Valentinian II riding horse left, raising hand.
14) Valentinian II standing left on galley, holding Phoenix on globe; Victory seated to right, steering galley.
15) Valentinian II standing left on galley, raising hand; Victory seated to right, steering galley.
16) Valentinian II standing right, stepping on captive, holding labarum and globe
17) Valentinian II standing right, stepping on captive, holding labarum and Victory on globe.
18) Valentinian II standing, facing, holding hand of kneeling woman with cornucopia to left and labarum.
19) Valentinian II standing, facing, holding hand of kneeling woman with cornucopia to left and Victory on globe.
20) Valentinian II standing, facing, holding labarum and globe; captive to left.
21) Valentinian II standing, facing, holding labarum and resting hand on shield.
22) Valentinian II standing, facing, raising hand and holding globe.
23) Valentinian II standing, facing, stepping on captive, holding labarum and globe.
24) Victories (2) standing, facing, each holding wreath and palm.
25) Victory advancing left, holding trophy and dragging captive.
27) Victory advancing left, holding wreath in each hand.
28) Victory advancing right, holding wreath and cross on globe.
29) Victory advancing right, holding wreath in each hand.
30) Victory advancing right, stepping on globe, holding wreath and cross on globe.
31) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / V
33) Victory standing right, stepping on globe, holding shield reading VOT / X / MVLT / XX
35) Wreath, VOT / V / MVLTIS / X within
37) Wreath, VOT / X / MVLT / XV within
39) Wreath, VOT / XV / MVLT / XX within
41) Wreath, VOTIS / V / MVLTIS / X within.
Mints:

2) B1, O2, R15, T12, M14 Exe: TESOB • at end of reverse legend RIC 34b (IX, Thessalonica)
3) B1, O2, R15, T12, M15 Exe: TROB` RIC 49c (IX, Treveri)
4) B1, O3, R15, T12, M09 Exe: COM RIC 8a (IX, Mediolanum)
5) B1, O3, R15, T12, M14 Exe: TESOB RIC 34e (IX, Thessalonica)
6) B1, O3, R15, T12, M15 Exe: T/R/COM RIC 90a (IX, Treveri)
7) B2, O3, R02, T04, M05 Exe: CONOB Officina at end of reverse legend RIC 45b (IX, Constantinopolis)
8) B3, O3, R22, T11, M09 Exe: M/D/COM RIC 9 (IX, Mediolanum)
AR Siliqua
11) B1, O3, R23, T06, M08 Exe: LVGPS RIC 43a (IX, Lugdunum)
12) B1, O3, R23, T06, M09 Exe: AQPS• RIC 15d (IX, Aquileia)
13) B1, O3, R25, T38, M05 Exe: CONS• RIC 77a (IX, Constantinopolis)
AE2
14) B1, O2, R07, T19, M03 Exe: SMAQ` RIC 30b (IX, Aquileia)
15) B1, O2, R07, T19, M13 Exe: *`SISC RIC 26b.5 (IX, Siscia)
16) B1, O2, R07, T19, M13 Exe: *`SISC• RIC 26b.7 (IX, Siscia)
17) B1, O2, R07, T19, M13 Exe: `SISC RIC 26b.1 (IX, Siscia)
18) B1, O2, R07, T19, M13 Exe: `SISC• RIC 26b.3 (IX, Siscia)
19) B1, O3, R07, T19, M11 Exe: SMR` RIC 43c (IX, Roma)
20) B1, O3, R07, T19, M14 Exe: `/SMTES RIC 37b (IX, Thessalonica)
21) B1, O3, R19, T23, M01 Exe: ALE` RIC 18a (IX, Alexandria)
22) B1, O3, R19, T23, M02 Exe: ANT` RIC 63b (IX, Antiochia)
23) B1, O3, R19, T23, M05 Exe: ¤/CONS` RIC 83a (IX, Constantinopolis)
24) B1, O3, R19, T23, M07 Exe: */•SMH` RIC 24a (IX, Heraclea)
25) B7, O3, R05, T14, M02 Exe: =/ANT` RIC 40b (IX, Antiochia)
26) B7, O3, R05, T15, M05 Exe: =/CON` RIC 52b (IX, Constantinopolis)
27) B7, O3, R05, T15, M07 Exe: T/SMH` RIC 21a (IX, Heraclea)
527
AE3 Reference(s)
28) B1, O1, R01, T07, M13 Exe: `/SISC RIC 27b (IX, Siscia)
29) B1, O2, R23, T06, M10 Exe: */SMN` RIC 31 (IX, Nicomedia)
30) B1, O2, R23, T06, M10 Exe: °/*/SMN` RIC 34 (IX, Nicomedia)
31) B1, O3, R01, T07, M01 Exe: O/ALE`
32) B1, O3, R01, T07, M02 Exe: / over K/ANT` RIC 45b (IX, Antiochia), L 2696
33) B1, O3, R01, T07, M05 Exe: CONS` RIC 56b (IX, Constantinopolis)
35) B1, O3, R05, T10, M03 Exe: SMAQ` RIC 45b (IX, Aquileia)
36) B1, O3, R05, T10, M13 Exe: `SISC• RIC 38a (IX, Siscia)
37) B2, O3, R01, T07, M02 Exe: / over K/ANT` RIC 45c (IX, Antiochia)
38) B7, O3, R05, T15, M05 Exe: =/CON` RIC 52b (IX, Constantinopolis)
39) B7, O3, R05, T15, M06 Exe: =/SMK` RIC 14b (IX, Cyzicus)
40) B7, O3, R05, T15, M07 Exe: T/SMH` RIC 21a (IX, Heraclea)
AE4
41) B1, O2, R10, T25, M05 Exe: ¤/CONS` RIC 86a (IX, Constantinopolis)
42) B1, O2, R16, T25, M03 Exe: ¤/AQ` RIC 58a (IX, Aquileia), L 1105
43) B1, O2, R16, T26, M14 Exe: `SIS RIC 39a (IX, Siscia)
44) B1, O2, R25, T34, M14 Exe: `SISC RIC 29c.1 (IX, Siscia), L 1545
45) B1, O2, R25, T34, M14 Exe: `SISC• RIC 29c.3 (IX, Siscia), L 1549
46) B1, O3, R10, T25, M06 Exe: ¤/SMK` RIC 26a (IX, Cyzicus)
47) B1, O3, R14, T24, M14 Exe: TES` RIC 63a (IX, Thessalonica), L 1863
49) B1, O3, R25, T38, M02 Exe: AN` RIC 65a (IX, Antiochia)
52) B1, O3, R25, T38, M10 Exe: SMN` RIC 38a (IX, Nicomedia)
Valentinian II Busts
528
Valentinian II Types
The son of a famous general, Theodosius's own military prowess
Theodosius I caught the eye of Gratian who sent him off with an army to deal
with the various barbarian hordes making regular excursions into
Roman territory. After scoring some impressive victories on the
battlefield Gratian gave Theodosius the ultimate reward by
Augustus 375-395 crowning him emperor and formal successor to Valens.
Theodosius then went on to settle a peace treaty with the barbarians and conferred upon them "federate" status
and allowed them to occupy Roman territory under the condition that they would defend it against other intruders.
The benefit, in principle at least, was that this settlement created a buffer zone for the Romans. In the following
years he put down the rebellions headed by Magnus Maximus and then, literally with a little help from the weather,
by the puppet emperor Eugenius.
During the waning years of his life he became the first Roman emperor to turn full circle on the issue of religious
persecution. After centuries of Christian persecution and then another three quarters of a century whereby
Christianity coexisted mostly peacefully with Pagan rituals, Theodosius began the active persecution and steady
elimination of all non-Christian sects and their temples. This policy would be vigorously followed by all succeeding
emperors. He died in 395 leaving behind a split empire to be ruled by his sons Honorius and Arcadius.
Busts:
3) Helmeted, diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust right, holding spear and shield
4) Helmeted, diademed (rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust right, holding spear and shield
529
Obverses:
Theodosius leaves a strong numismatic legacy, by
1) DN THEODOSIVS PF AVG fourth century standards, with a myriad of different
2) DN THEODOSVIS PF AVG
denominations, sizes and weights of his coins.
Reverses:
For several decades coinage in general had inexorably
1) CONCORDIA AVGG tended towards smaller coins made of cheaper metal
2) CONCORDIA AVGGG alloys while at the same time maintaining or increasing
3) CONCORDIA AVGGGG
4) GLORIA REIPVB their nominal value. In other words, inflation.
6) GLORIA ROMANORVM
7) PERPETVETAS While the economic maladies ailing the empire were far
8) REPARATIO REIPVB greater than Theodosius could hope to remedy he does
9) RESTITVTOR REIPVBLICAE
10) RESTITVTOR REIPVBLICE
temporarily increase the size and heft of the bronzes. He
11) SALVS REIPVBLICAE also introduces the Tremissis, a small but versatile coin
12) SPES REIPVBLICAE that is successful enough to continue being used for the
13) SPES ROMANORVM
14) TRIVMFATOR GENT BARB next 200 years. These measures, at least symbolically,
15) VICTORIA AVG aim to strengthen the shrinking empire.
16) VICTORIA AVGG
17) VICTORIA AVGGG
18) VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM Asides from their historical significance, the collector will
19) VIRTVS EXERCITI be pleased to find that obtaining high-grade “type” sets
21) VIRTVS ROMANORVM of this emperor is an easy and surprisingly affordable
22) VOTA PVBLICA task. The small bronzes are particularly plentiful and
23) VRBS ROMA
24) VRBS ROMA FELIX make up a sizeable proportion of “uncleaned” coins as
25) No legend available on the Internet and most coin dealers.
Types:
1) City gate with (2) turrets.
2) Constantinopolis seated, facing, stepping on galley prow, holding globe and scepter.
3) Constantinopolis seated, facing, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter
4) Constantinopolis seated, facing, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter and cornucopia
5) Constantinopolis seated, facing, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter and globe
6) Constantinopolis seated, facing, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter and shield reading VOT / V / MVL / X
7) Constantinopolis seated, facing, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter and shield reading VOT / X / MVL / XV
8) Constantinopolis seated, facing, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter and shield reading VOT / X / MVLT / XV
9) Constantinopolis seated, facing, stepping on galley prow, holding spear
10) Constantinopolis seated, facing, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter and cornucopia.
12) Roma seated, facing, holding globe and spear.
13) Roma standing, facing, holding trophy and Victory on globe; shield by feet.
14) Theodosius I advancing right, dragging captive and holding trophy.
15) Theodosius I and Gratian seated, facing, together holding globe over palm; Victory above and between them.
16) Theodosius I and Valentinian II seated, facing, each holding a scepter.
17) Theodosius I riding horse right, raising hand.
18) Theodosius I standing left, holding hand of kneeling woman with cornucopia and labarum
19) Theodosius I standing left, holding hand of kneeling woman with cornucopia and Victory on globe
20) Theodosius I standing left on galley, holding phoenix on globe and labarum; Victory seated to right, steering galley.
21) Theodosius I standing left on galley, raising hand; Victory seated to right, steering galley.
22) Theodosius I standing right, stepping on captive, holding labarum and globe
23) Theodosius I standing, facing, holding labarum and globe
24) Theodosius I standing, facing, holding labarum and globe; seated captive to left.
25) Theodosius I standing, facing, holding labarum and resting hand on shield
26) Theodosius I standing, facing, holding Victory on globe and labarum.
27) Theodosius I standing, facing, raising hand and holding globe
28) Victories (2) standing, facing each other, each holding a wreath and a palm
32) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / V / MVL / X on lap
33) Victory standing right, holding wreath and cross on globe
37) Wreath, VOT / X / MVLT / XXX within
38) Wreath, VOT / X / MVLTIS / XX within
Mints:
1) Alexandria 7) Heraclea 13) Sirmium
2) Antioch 8) Londinium 14) Siscia
4) Arelate 10) Mediolanum 16) Treveri
5) Constantinopolis 11) Nicomedia
6) Cyzicus 12) Roma
530
1) B1, O1, R02, T05, M05 Exe: CONOB RIC 43b (IX, Constantinopolis)
3) B1, O1, R02, T08, M05 Exe: CONOB Officina at end of reverse legend RIC 71A (IX, Constantinopolis)
4) B1, O1, R16, T15, M10 Exe: COM RIC 5b (IX, Mediolanum)
5) B1, O1, R16, T15, M10 Exe: M/D/COM RIC 8b.2 (IX, Mediolanum)
6) B1, O1, R16, T15, M13 Exe: SIROB RIC 9c (IX, Sirmium)
7) B1, O1, R16, T15, M16 Exe: TROB` RIC 50 (IX, Treveri)
8) B1, O1, R17, T22, M13 Exe: S/M/CONOB Officina at end of reverse legend RIC 15 (IX, Sirmium)
9) B2, O1, R02, T05, M05 Exe: CONOB Officina at end of reverse legend RIC 45d (IX, Constantinopolis)
AU Tremissis
13) B1, O1, R18, T33, M05 Exe: */CONOB

14) B1, O1, R18, T33, M05 Exe: CONOB RIC 75b (IX, Constantinopolis)
AR Siliqua
16) B1, O1, R21, T11, M16 Exe: TRPS RIC 94b (IX, Treveri)
17) B1, O1, R25, T36, M05 Exe: CONS RIC 87a (IX, Constantinopolis)
18) B1, O1, R25, T36, M10 Exe: MDPS RIC 14b (IX, Mediolanum)
AE2
22) B1, O1, R08, T19, M12 Exe: SMR` RIC 43d (IX, Roma)
23) B1, O1, R08, T19, M14 Exe: *`SISC RIC 26c.5 (IX, Siscia), L 1527
24) B1, O1, R08, T19, M14 Exe: *`SISC• RIC 26c.7 (IX, Siscia), L 1533
25) B1, O1, R08, T19, M14 Exe: `SIS•
26) B1, O1, R08, T19, M14 Exe: `SISC RIC 26c.1 (IX, Siscia), L 1514
27) B1, O1, R08, T19, M14 Exe: `SISC• RIC 26c.3 (IX, Siscia), L 1521
29) B1, O1, R19, T22, M07 Exe: */•SMH` RIC 24b.2 (IX, Heraclea)
30) B1, O1, R19, T22, M07 Exe: •SMH` RIC 24b.1 (IX, Heraclea)
32) B2, O1, R06, T05, M05 Exe: °/I/CONS` RIC 57d (IX, Constantinopolis)
33) B2, O1, R19, T22, M01 Exe: ALE` RIC 18c (IX, Alexandria)
34) B3, O1, R06, T21, M02 Exe: =/ANT` RIC 40d (IX, Antiochia)
35) B3, O1, R06, T21, M05 Exe: =/CON` RIC 52c (IX, Constantinopolis)
36) B3, O1, R06, T21, M05 Exe: T/CON` RIC 79b (IX, Constantinopolis)
37) B3, O1, R06, T21, M06 Exe: =/SMK` RIC 14c (IX, Cyzicus)
38) B3, O1, R06, T21, M06 Exe: T/SMK` RIC 23 (IX, Cyzicus)
40) B3, O1, R06, T21, M07 Exe: T/SMH` RIC 21b (IX, Heraclea)
41) B3, O1, R06, T21, M11 Exe: =/•SMN` RIC 25c (IX, Nicomedia)
42) B3, O1, R06, T21, M15 Exe: =/•TES` RIC 44b (IX, Thessalonica)
AE3
43) B1, O1, R01, T01, M15 Exe: `/TES RIC 62b (IX, Thessalonica)
44) B1, O1, R02, T02, M11 Exe: SMN` RIC 29 (IX, Nicomedia)
45) B1, O1, R02, T02, M14 Exe: `SISC RIC 27d (IX, Siscia)
46) B1, O1, R02, T05, M05 Exe: O/CONS` RIC 57a (IX, Constantinopolis)
47) B1, O1, R06, T14, M14 Exe: `SISC• RIC 28 (IX, Siscia), L 1558
AE4
53) B1, O1, R11, T29, M02 Exe: ¢/ANT` RIC 70a (IX, Antiochia)
54) B1, O1, R11, T29, M02 Exe: ¤/ANT` RIC 67b.2 (IX, Antioch)
55) B1, O1, R11, T29, M05 Exe: ¤/CONS RIC 86b (IX, Constantinopolis)
56) B1, O1, R11, T29, M06 Exe: ¤/SMK` RIC 27b (IX, Cyzicus), L 1984
59) B1, O1, R11, T29, M15 Exe: ¤/TES` RIC 65 (IX, Thessalonica)
60) B1, O1, R17, T30, M04 Exe: `CON RIC 30d (IX, Arelate), L 563
61) B1, O1, R17, T30, M14 Exe: `SIS RIC 39b.1 (IX, Siscia), L 1576
62) B1, O1, R17, T30, M14 Exe: `SIS• RIC 39b.3 (IX, Siscia), L 1580
63) B1, O1, R25, T34, M14 Exe: `SISC RIC 29d (IX, Siscia), L 1546
64) B1, O1, R25, T35, M07 Exe: SMH`
65) B1, O1, R25, T36, M05 Exe: CON` RIC 63b (IX, Constantinopolis)
531
66) B1, O1, R25, T36, M06 Exe: SMK` RIC 19 (IX, Cyzicus), L 2557
68) B1, O1, R25, T36, M14 Exe: `SISC RIC 30b (IX, Siscia)
Theodosius I Busts
Theodosius I Types
532
Wife of Theodosius I and mother of Honorius and
Aelia Flaccilla Arcadius.
? - d.386
Bust:
1) Diademed, draped bust right, wearing ear rings and necklace Fifty years had passed with emperor coming and going and
not a one of them having the decency to promote their wives
Obverse: to a formal “Augusta”. And if any of them did for some reason
no coins with their effigy appeared during this time.
1) AEL FLACCILLA AVG
This is all changed during the reign of Theodosius when Aelia
Reverses: is given a modest share of the total output of coins. Her
name, just as was the case with Julius Caesar and Augustus,
2) SALVS REIPVBLICAES will become an honorary title bestowed upon future
3) SALVS REPVBLICAE empresses.
4) No legend
Types: Although Siliquae and even Solidi are known they are so rare
they‟re catalogued here for the sake of completeness but it‟s
1) Aelia Flaccilla standing, facing, hands braced over chest. very doubtful they‟ll ever appear in significant quantities.
2) Victory seated right, holding shield with Chi-Rho on column
3) Wreath, Chi-Rho within
Bronzes on the other hand are if not plentiful at least
accessible enough. “Starter” coppers can be had for $20 or
Mints: less and nicer ones climbing steadily up to around $100.
1) Alexandria 5) Heraclea
2) Antioch 6) Nicomedia
3) Constantinopolis 7) Siscia
4) Cyzicus 8) Thessalonica
1) B1, O1, R1, T2, M3 Exe: CONOB RIC 72 (IX, Constantinopolis)
AR Siliqua
2) B1, O1, R4, T3, M3 Exe: CON` RIC 78 (IX, Constantinopolis)
AE2
3) B1, O1, R1, T1, M1 Exe: ALE` RIC 4 (IX, Alexandria)

4) B1, O1, R1, T1, M2 Exe: ANT` RIC 62 (IX, Antioch), L 2760
5) B1, O1, R1, T1, M3 Exe: ¤/CON` RIC 82 (IX, Constantinopolis)
6) B1, O1, R1, T1, M3 Exe: T/CONS` RIC 82 (IX, Constantinopolis)
7) B1, O1, R1, T1, M4 Exe: SMK` RIC 24 (IX, Cyzicus)
8) B1, O1, R1, T1, M6 Exe: SMN` RIC 25 (IX, Nicomedia)
9) B1, O1, R1, T2, M2 Exe: T/ANT` RIC 43 (IX, Antioch)
10) B1, O1, R1, T2, M3 Exe: CON` RIC 55 (IX, Constantinopolis)
11) B1, O1, R1, T2, M3 Exe: T/CON` RIC 81 (IX, Constantinopolis)
12) B1, O1, R1, T2, M5 Exe: T/SMH` RIC 23 (IX, Heraclea)
13) B1, O1, R1, T2, M5 Exe: T/SMH`*
14) B1, O1, R1, T2, M7 Exe: SISC. RIC 35 (IX, Siscia)
AE4
15) B1, O1, R1, T2, M2 Exe: AN` L 2744

16) B1, O1, R1, T2, M3 Exe: CON` RIC 61 (IX, Constantinopolis), L 2162
17) B1, O1, R1, T2, M5 Exe: . SMH` RIC 36 (IX, Heraclea)
18) B1, O1, R1, T2, M7 Exe: SISC. RIC 35 (IX, Siscia)
533
Aelia Flaccilla Bust
It's uncertain exactly how Magnus Maximus came to power. At

Magnus Maximus the time he was a general in Britain and whether by his own
will or that of his troops he was hailed as emperor. Gratian
moved quickly to put down the revolt and bring Maximus to
Augustus 383-388 justice but, his troops mutinied, switched sides and had
Gratian executed instead. Maximus then sought to have his
claim recognized throughout the rest of the empire and to this
end he sent a delegation to the court of Theodosius. If not outright enthusiastic, Theodosius was at least initially
cooperative and accepted Maximus. However, the situation changed when Maximus upset the balance of power
by intending to appropriate Italy which was under the control of Valentinian II. Suddenly, Theodosius realized that
Maximus was intent on becoming the sole ruler of the West and possibly the East as well. Theodosius then
rescinded his recognition of Maximus and sent a large army against him. The two sides met roughly halfway
between their courts and Maximus was defeated. Maximus was then captured and executed in Aquileia.
Busts:
1) Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust right Bronzes for this emperor are typically found in very
2) Diademed (rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust right poor condition but, thankfully, with the low grade comes
a correspondingly affordable price tag. Nicely
Obverses: preserved bronzes will easily cost well over $100.
1) DN MAG MAXIMVS PF AVG
2) DN MAG MAXINVS PF AVG At those prices you might as well consider the silver.
3) DN MAXIMVS PF AVG Siliquae are available, though not very abundantly, for
4) DN MAXIMVS PF AVS
$100-$200 as a starting point. “Gem” Siliquae will cost
two or three times that much and will usually be offered
Reverses:
only through specialized auction houses rather than
1) CONCORDIA AVGGG
corner shop dealers.
2) REPARATIO REIPVB
3) RESTITVTOR REIPVBLICAE Gold coins in any denomination are really, really rare.
4) SPES ROMANORVM
5) VICTORIA AVGG
7) VIRTVS EXERCITI
8) VIRTVS EXERCITVS
9) VIRTVS ROMANORVM
Types:
1) City gate with (2) turrets, star above
2) Constantinopolis seated, facing, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter and globe
3) Magnus Maximus and Theodosius I seated, facing, together holding globe
4) Magnus Maximus and Theodosius I seated, facing, together holding globe; Victory above them, palm below
5) Magnus Maximus standing left, holding hand of kneeling woman and Victory on globe.
6) Magnus Maximus standing right, stepping on captive, holding labarum and globe.
7) Magnus Maximus standing, facing, holding labarum and resting hand on shield.
8) Magnus Maximus standing, facing, holding labarum and Victory on globe.
9) Magnus Maximus standing, facing, holding Victory on globe and labarum.
12) Wreath, VO / TIS / V within.
534
Mints:
1) Aquileia 5) Lugdunum
2) Arelate 6) Mediolanum
4) Londinium (Augusta) 8) Treveri
1) B2, O1, R3, T08, M8 Exe: */SMTR RIC 2 (IX, Treveri)

2) B2, O1, R5, T03, M8 Exe: TROB RIC 77b (IX, Treveri)
3) B2, O4, R1, T02, M3 Exe: CONOB
AR Miliarense
4) B1, O1, R8, T07, M8 Exe: TRPS RIC 82 (IX, Treveri)
5) B1, O1, R9, T10, M8 Exe: TRPS RIC 84b (IX, Treveri)
AE2
6) B1, O1, R2, T05, M2 Exe: `CON RIC 26a (IX, Arelate)
AE4
7) B1, O1, R4, T01, M1 Exe SMAQ` RIC 55a (IX, Aquileia), L 1103
8) B1, O1, R4, T01, M2 Exe: `CON RIC 29a (IX, Arelate)
9) B1, O1, R4, T01, M8 Exe: SMTR RIC 87a (IX, Treveri), L 156
10) B1, O2, R4, T01, M5 Exe: LVG`
Magnus Maximus Busts
Magnus Maximus Types

535
Not yet old enough to be in kindergarten, Flavius Victor was
Flavius Victor the unfortunate victim of a very brutal and violent age. His father
Magnus Maximus named him co-Augustus soon after he was born
and then was off on his quest to become the Western Emperor.
Augustus 384-388 Although he met with success initially, Maximus was no match for
Theodosius once he made a concerted effort to oust him. Victor,
on the other hand, was sent for after Maximus's final defeat and
was slain to end any possibility of future contests from this quarter.
Bust:
You‟re not likely to come across a coin of Flavius
Obverses: Victor by accident. It‟s either an AE4 “camp gate”
or a silver Siliqua both of which routinely sell for
1) DN FL VICTOR PF AVG hundreds of dollars even when they appear
2) DN FL ICTOR PF AVG mediocre.
Reverses: A sharp eye and some patience can score one of

the AE4‟s for around $100 on eBay.
1) BONO REIPVBLICE NATI
2) SPES ROMANORVM
4) VIRTVS ROMANORVM
Types:
1) City gate with (2) turrets, star above

2) Magnus Maximus and Flavius Victor seated, facing, holding together globe; Victory between them.
Mints:
1) Aquileia
2) Arelate
3) Lugdunum
4) Mediolanum
5) Treveri
1) B1, O1, R4, T3, M4 Exe: MDPS RIC 19b (IX, Mediolanum)
2) B1, O1, R4, T3, M5 Exe: TRPS RIC 84d (IX, Treveri)
AE4
3) B1, O1, R2, T1, M1 Exe: SMAQ` RIC 55b (IX, Aquileia), L 1004
4) B1, O1, R2, T1, M2 Exe: `CON RIC 29b (IX, Mediolanum), L 561
Flavius Victor Bust Flavius Victor Types

536
After the death of Valentinian II followed one of the most

Eugenius embarrassing low-points in Roman history. Italy and what was left
of the Roman empire was left leaderless. The barbarian warlord
Arbogast wielded power but was unable to call himself the emperor
Augustus 392-394 because to do so would have been an outrage so scandalous that
it would likely throw the entire empire into complete turmoil. Thus
evaluating his response over what to do next, a period that lasted
over a year, he decided to name Eugenius the emperor. Needless to say, Eugenius served merely as a
figurehead for Arbogast's desires. To the end of making it all seem legitimate, he sent a series of diplomats to the
court of Theodosius in hopes of gaining Eugenius the East's blessing. Theodosius prepared an army instead and
eventually the two met in battle. When the dust settled, Eugenius was dead and Arbogast fled the scene,
reportedly committing suicide. This left Theodosius himself as emperor of the entire empire; this being the last
such time this would happen.
Eugenius himself was apparently a scholar and respected former government administrator. He might have found
favor with Theodosius had his pedigree not been tainted with Arbogast's role and had he not shown inclinations to
favor paganism instead of Christianity. He is reported to have meant to turn the church in Mediolanum (Milan) into
a stable for Arbogast's horses! This anecdote, however, might be but propaganda from the enemies of Eugenius.
Bust:
1) Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right By the late fourth century the mints throughout the western empire
begin shutting down one by one. Those that remain open for
Obverse: business slow production to a trickle. Rome, once the most prolific
1) DN EVGENIVS PF AVG
and important of mints also limps along with a skeleton crew that
manufacture increasingly less skillfully made coins and then only
Reverses: erratically as metal becomes available.
1) GLORIA ROMANORVM Eugenius may be one of the first emperors who becomes rare not
2) SPES ROMANORVM on account of his length in office, over a year‟s time, but rather
3) VICTORIA AVGG
4) VICTORIA AVGGG because there just weren‟t many coins made during this time.
6) VIRTVS ROMANORVM
7) VOT / V / MVLT / X
A few hardscrabble, tiny copper coins turn up on the market with
8) VRBS ROMA some frequency. Silver siliquae, the most commonly found of his
coins, tend to go from $200 to over $1,000 a piece.
Types:
1) Eugenius and Theodosius I seated, facing, together holding globe; between them, Victory above and palm below.
2) Eugenius standing left, holding labarum and resting hand on shield.
Mints:
1) Aquileia
2) Arelate
3) Lugdunum
4) Mediolanum
5) Roma
6) Treveri
1) B1, O1, R3, T1, M3 Exe: L/D/COM RIC 45 (IX, Lugdunum), C 6
2) B1, O1, R3, T1, M4 Exe: M/D/COM RIC 28 (IX, Mediolanum), C 6
AU Tremissis
3) B1, O1, R5, T4, M6 Exe: T/R/COM RIC 103 (IX, Treveri), C 10
AR Miliarense
4) B1, O1, R1, T2, M6 Exe: TRPS RIC 104 (IX, Treveri), C 2
537
5) B1, O1, R6, T3, M4 Exe: MDPS RIC 32c (IX, Mediolanum), C 14b
6) B1, O1, R6, T3, M6 Exe: TRPS RIC 106d (IX, Treveri), C 14a
7) B1, O1, R8, T3, M3 Exe: LVGPS RIC 46 (IX, Lugdunum), C 18a
AE4
8) B1, O1, R2, T4, M1 Exe: AQ` RIC 59 (IX, Aquileia), L 1108
9) B1, O1, R4, T4, M2 Exe: CON RIC 30f (IX, Arelate), C 8
Eugenius Bust
Eugenius Types
538
Honorius was born to Theodosius and Aelia Flaccilla in 384 and

Honorius inherited the western part of the empire on his father's death (with
the eastern half going to his elder brother Arcadius). During his
lifetime Honorius witnessed wave after wave of barbarian
Augustus 394-423 invasions, each one more devastating than the previous one. In
404 he moved the imperial palace to a fortress in Ravenna. On
cue, Rome was then sacked in 410 by the barbarian forces under
the command of Alaric; a first in over 800 years. The Vandals would seize Northern Africa (Italy's bread basket)
and various usurpers, most importantly Constantine III, sliced off huge sections of what remained of the Western
empire for themselves. In the face of all these military and political catastrophes, Honorius was helpless and he
never personally led any armies to counter the invasions and revolts. Still, against all odds, he managed to
somewhat stabilize his dwindling domains by diplomatic means with the barbarians and by military action with the
help of Constantius III against the usurpers. But he died in 423 leaving the empire significantly weaker and much
smaller than when he became emperor.
Busts:
4) Diademed bust left wearing consular robes, holding mappa and scepter with eagle atop
5) Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right, raising hand and holding Victory on globe
6) Helmeted, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
7) Helmeted, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust facing holding spear and shield
8) Helmeted, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust facing holding spear over shoulder and spear
Obverses:
1) DN HONORI AVG
During the reign of Honorius Roman coinage begins its final artistic slide. Already
2) DN HONORIIVS PF AVG for over the last hundred years portraiture engraving had stopped the realistic
3) DN HONORIVS PF AVG representation of the emperor‟s facial features. Instead, these portraits were now
4) DN ONORIVS PF AVG
5) HONORIO AVGVSTO mere effigies frozen in time regardless of the emperor‟s age. In fact, they all begin
to look identical from emperor to emperor with the only thing changing being
Reverses: what‟s written between the DN and the PF AVG.
1) ADVENTVS FN AVG
2) CONCORDIA AVG
In the fifth century the engraving artistry not only stops concerning itself with
3) CONCORDIA AVGG realistic portraiture but with everything else as well. Thus the designs become
4) CONCORDIA AVGGG ever more abstract. Epigraphy, too, is another casualty of carelessness. Finally,
5) CONCORDIA NVGGG
6) CONCORIA AVGG the coins themselves are made on ever smaller and thinner modules made of
7) GLORIA ROMANORVM increasingly cheaper alloys. The gold denominations, while suffering all the above
8) REPARATIO REIPVBL
9) SALVS REIPVBLICAE faults in terms of artistic merit and overall craftsmanship, hold on meticulously to
10) TRIVMFATOR GENT BARB their customary weights and fineness because, being the army‟s pay, the life of
11) VICTORIA AAVGGG
12) VICTORIA AVGG
the emperor himself depended on it.
13) VICTORIA AVGGG
14) VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM Blessed with a long if troubled reign, Honorius appears frequently and cheaply in
16) VIRTVS EXERCITI the bronzes. These are by and large of the late fourth century. With the start of the
17) VIRTVS EXERCITVM fifth these too mostly disappear from the radar and those that are left in
19) VIRTVS ROMANORVM attributable condition are the small AE4 class which often measure no more than
20) VOT / V / MVLT / X 7-10mm across and often smaller. Siliquae are not rare but are typically found
21) VOT / X / MVLT / XX
22) VOT XX MVLT XXX
heavily clipped making certain attribution difficult or impossible. And then there
23) VOT XXX MVLT XXXX are the gold Solidi and Tremisses which while not exactly plentiful are always
24) VOTA PVBLICA available. The Solidus is the more common of the two and a typical specimen
25) VRBS ROMA
26) VRBS ROMA FELIX usually goes for between $400-$600.
27) No legend
Types:
1) Constantinopolis seated, facing, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter and Victory on globe
2) Constantinopolis seated, facing, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter and shield reading XX/ VOT / XXX
3) Cross
4) Honorius and Arcadius seated, facing, each holding a mappa and scepter with eagle atop; palm between them.
5) Honorius and Arcadius standing, facing, each holding a scepter and resting hand on shield.
6) Honorius riding horse right, raising hand.
7) Honorius riding six-horse chariot, oncoming, raising hand and holding globe
8) Honorius seated, facing, holding mappa and scepter with eagle atop.
9) Honorius standing left, holding scepter and resting hand on shield; being crowned by Victory to right, holding palm
10) Honorius standing left, holding Victory on globe and labarum
539
11) Honorius standing right, dragging captive and raising hand; kneeling captive to right
12) Honorius standing right, stepping on captive, holding labarum and Victory on globe
13) Honorius standing right, stepping on captive, holding vexillum reading VOT / X and shield reading MVL / XX
14) Honorius standing, facing, holding labarum and globe
15) Honorius standing, facing, holding labarum and globe; kneeling captive to left
16) Honorius standing, facing, holding spear and resting hand on shield.
17) Honorius standing, facing, raising hand and holding globe
18) Honorius standing, facing, stepping on lion, holding scepter with christogram atop and parazonium, being crowned by Hand of God
19) Honorius, Theodosius II and Arcadius standing, facing, each holding a scepter
20) Roma and Constantinopolis seated, facing each other, together holding shield reading VOT / XXX / MVLT / XXXX; palm between them.
23) Roma seated, facing, holding Victory on globe and spear
24) Roma standing, facing, holding trophy and Victory; shield to right
25) Victory advancing forward, holding wreath and globe
29) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / V / MVLT / X; Genius to lower right also holding shield.
31) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / X / MVLT / XX; Genius to lower right also holding shield.
32) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / XX / MVLT / XXX; Genius to lower right also holding shield.
33) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / XXX / MVLT / XXXX; Genius to lower right also holding shield.
34) Victory seated right, holding shield reading XV / XX
35) Victory seated right, holding shield reading XX / XXX
36) Victory standing left, holding cross
38) Wreath, VOT / X / MVLT / XV within
Mints:
1) Alexandria 6) Cyzicus 11) Ravenna

2) Antioch 7) Heraclea 12) Roma
3) Aquileia 8) Lugdunum 13) Sirmium
1) B2, O3, R13, T12, M11 Exe: R/V/COMOB RIC 1287 (X, Honorius)
2) B2, O3, R13, T12, M12 Exe: R/M/COMOB RIC 1252 (X, Honorius)
3) B2, O3, R13, T12, M09 Exe: M/D/COMOB RIC 1206 (X, Honorius)
4) B2, O3, R13, T12, M13 Exe: S/M/COMOB RIC 2 (X, Arcadius)
5) B6, O3, R13, T18, M11 Exe: R/V/COB RIC 1310 (X, Honorius)
7) B8, O3, R03, T01, M05 Exe: */CONOB
8) B8, O3, R03, T01, M05 Exe: */CONOB Officina at end of reverse legend RIC 8 (X, Arcadius)
9) B8, O3, R03, T01, M14 Exe: */COMOB RIC 348 (X, Theodosius II)
10) B8, O3, R03, T01, M14 Exe: */TES•OB• RIC 359 (X, Theodosius II)
11) B8, O3, R03, T01, M14 Exe: COMOB RIC 38 (X, Arcadius)
12) B8, O3, R04, T01, M05 Exe: CONOB Officina at end of reverse legend RIC 24 (X, Arcadius)
AU Semissis
AU Tremissis
AR Miliarense
16) B1, O3, R07, T17, M05 Exe: */CON RIC 369 (X, Theodosius II)
AR Siliqua
17) B2, O3, R13, T27, M09 Exe: MD RIC 1234 (X, Honorius)
18) B2, O3, R19, T21, M09 Exe: MDPS RIC 32d (IX, Mediolanum)
19) B2, O3, R19, T21, M12 Exe: RMPS RIC 1267 (X, Honorius)
AE2
20) B2, O3, R07, T14, M02 Exe: ANT` RIC 68e (IX, Antioch), L 2784
21) B2, O3, R07, T14, M06 Exe: SMK` RIC 28c (IX, Cyzicus)
22) B2, O3, R07, T14, M07 Exe: SMH` RIC 27c (IX, Heraclea), L 1988
23) B2, O3, R07, T14, M10 Exe: SMN` RIC 46c (IX, Nicomedia)
24) B2, O3, R07, T15, M05 Exe: CONS` RIC 88c (IX, Constantinopolis)
540
AE3 Reference(s)
25) B2, O3, R07, T05, M05 Exe: CONS` * behind bust RIC 399 (X, Theodosius II), L 2223
26) B2, O3, R07, T05, M14 Exe: TES` * behind bust RIC 395 (X, Theodosius II), L 1876
27) B2, O3, R07, T06, M02 Exe: ANT` RIC 69e (IX, Antiochia)
28) B2, O3, R07, T11, M12 Exe: SMR` RIC 1357 (X, Honorius), L 827
29) B2, O3, R07, T19, M02 Exe: ANT` * behind bust RIC 153 (X, Arcadius), L 2802
30) B2, O3, R07, T19, M06 Exe: SMK` * behind bust RIC 149 (X, Arcadius), L 2591
31) B2, O3, R16, T09, M01 Exe: ALE` RIC 76 (X, Arcadius), L 2913
32) B2, O3, R16, T09, M02 Exe: ANT` RIC 72 (X, Arcadius), L 2793
33) B2, O3, R16, T09, M05 Exe: CONS` RIC 61c (IX, Constantinopolis), L 2206
34) B2, O3, R16, T09, M05 Exe: SMK` RIC 68 (X, Arcadius)
35) B2, O3, R16, T09, M10 Exe: SMN` RIC 63 (X, Arcadius)
36) B8, O3, R03, T01, M05 Exe: CONS` RIC 87 (X, Arcadius)
AE4
37) B2, O3, R07, T05, M06 Exe: SMK` * behind bust RIC 403 (X, Theodosius II), L 2598
38) B2, O3, R09, T26, M03 Exe: AQ` RIC 1238 (X, Honorius), L 1113
Honorius Busts
Honorius Types
541
Of no relation whatsoever to the Constantinian dynasty of the

Constantine III previous century, Constantine was a common soldier based in
Britain. He was acclaimed emperor by his fellow soldiers in 407
after Germanic tribes posed an imminent threat that Rome was
Augustus 407-411 unwilling to deal with. It seems he then gathered these soldiers,
abandons Britain and settles in Arelate. Soon after he names his
son co-emperor, renames him Constans (again, to keep
appearances) and sets off to consolidate and expand his territory. Constantine is then able to subdue Spain into
his domain but loses it shortly afterwards when a revolt has Maximus (son of a powerful general) named emperor.
Unable to meet this new threat,
Constantine then flees but is captured
and executed. As with most other usurpers, this renegade emperor also
depended on provincial mints to strike coins. Fifth century
Busts: usurpers are all the more rare because the Roman economy was
in a tailspin. For this reason base metal coinage, that which is
2) Diademed (rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust right most suitable for small-scale commerce, is rarest of all while
precious metal coins just had to be made to pay the soldiers.
Obverses: Without a supply of silver and gold no man would risk his life on
the battlefield and, in fact, when the strongmen ran out of gold
1) DN CONSTANTINVS PF AVG they had to assume they were in grave danger.
2) FL CL CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
3) FL CL CONSTANTINVS AVG
Considering all this a coin of Constantine III is not surprisingly a
Reverses: rarity. However, among rarities his are not among the rarest.
There are a fair number of Solidi and Siliquae still extant and they
1) CONCORDIA AVGGGG come to market fairly regularly.
2) RESTITVTOR REIPVBLICAE
3) VICTORIA AAAVGGGG
4) VICTORIA AAVGGG A Siliqua may be expected to cost $500-$1,000 while the Solidus
5) VICTORIA AVGGG trades between $2,500 to over $5,000.
Types:
1) Constantine III standing right, holding labarum and Victory on globe.
2) Constantine III standing right, stepping on seated captive, holding labarum and Victory on globe.
3) Cross; Alpha and Omega on either side.
6) Victory advancing right, holding wreath and palm.
Mints:
1) Arelate 3) Trier
2) Lugdunum 4) Uncertain
1) B1, O1, R4, T2, M3 Exe: TROBS RIC X 1514
2) B2, O1, R3, T2, M2 Exe: L/D/COMOB RIC X 1505
AR Siliqua
3) B1, O1, R4, T4, M1 Exe: SMAR RIC X 1538
4) B1, O1, R4, T4, M2 Exe: SMLD RIC X 1531
5) B1, O1, R4, T4, M3 Exe: TRMS RIC X 1533
Constantine III Busts Constantine III Types

542
Not to be confused with the better known "Constans II" of the

Constans II Byzantine period, Constans was the son of usurper Constantine III
who rebelled against Honorius from his base in Britain.
Constantine III racked up several early military successes and
Augustus c.409-411 added Gaul and Spain to his domains. At the height of his glory
days he elevated his son to co-emperor clearly showing his
dynastic aspirations.
Constans, whose real name prior to accession is unknown, was sent to Spain to quell a loyalist revolt. While the
revolt was suppressed in short order, Constans left the independent-minded Gerontius in charge of the region
before returning to Gaul. This proved a mistake for Gerontius would within another year declare his own
independence and inveigh his son, Maximus, with the imperial title. This break in rank played into Honorius' game
plan as the two factions began warring each other and weakening in the process. When the time was right
Honorius sent his ablest general, Constantius III, to deal the final blow to both and thereby recoup all lost
territories with the exception of Britain which he decided to abandon for lack of resources.
Bust:
1) Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right Making the top 10 list of rarest of Roman
emperors is this Constans person of whom we
Obverse: know only that he was the son of the rank-and-file
soldier-turned-emperor Constantine III.
1) DN CONSTANS PF AVG
There is but one worn coin of his in the entire

Reverse: British Museum collection. It is like this one
1) VICTORIA AVGGG
pictured below which went unsold on Ebay in
2003 because it did not meet a reserve set at
Type: $7,000. It would have been a steal at that price
considering no other coins of this emperor have
1) Roma seated left, holding Victory on globe and spear. been offered for sale by any major auction house
for several decades.
Mints:
1) Arelate
2) Treveri
1) B1, O1, R1, T1, M1 Exe: KONT RIC 1540 (X, Constantine III)
543
Following the usurpation of Constantine III, Spain
Maximus was caught in the difficult decision of whether to support
the insurgency or remain loyal to Rome. Constantine III
abandoned Britain carrying with him most of his forces to
Augustus 409-411 settle in Gaul so as to consolidate his power base in the
region. He sent a detachment into Spain and the
province readily seceded and sided with Constantine.
However, the occupying forces of Constantine in Spain soon faced internal power struggles with local barbarian
tribes. When word of this strife reached Constantine a delegation was sent to Spain to intervene. Gerontius,
leader of the occupying forces, feared that this delegation was nothing but a secondary force sent for his own
head. In a pre-emptive move he elevated one of his handpicked men, Maximus, who was possibly his own son, to
Augustus.
Maximus and Gerontius then went on the offensive and managed to capture and kill Constans, Constantine's son
and co-emperor, and then went on to siege Constantine himself. However, Constantius III arrived with a much
larger army and Gerontius abandoned the siege knowing that to Honorius Maximus was a usurper just as much
as Constantine. They then rushed back to Spain where Gerontius was finally located by Honorius's men and
committed suicide. Maximus himself escaped with his life and blended into the barbarian background. Some years
later a Maximus, possibly this same one, was captured and executed for trying to instigate a rebellion.
Bust:
Supposedly there are only 20 or so coins extant for this short-lived
1) Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right emperor. And there‟s no reason to think that their owners are
much in a hurry to part with their treasures. In fact, a good portion
Obverse: of these are in museums, not private hands.
1) DN MAXIMVS PF AVG
When they come up for sale, which is not that often, it‟s a seller‟s
Reverse: market with prices going well into the thousands.
1) VICTORIA AVGGG
Types:
1) Maximus standing left, holding hand of kneeling woman and Victory on globe.
2) Roma seated left, holding Victory on globe and spear
Mint:
1) Barcino
1) B1, O1, R1, T2 Exe: SMBA RIC X 1601
AE3
2) B1, O1, R1, T3 Exe: SMBA RIC X 1604
Maximus Bust Maximus Types

544
Priscus Attalus was the first of several puppet emperors in the
Priscus Attalus final lap of the Roman empire. He was a prominent Senator
when Rome fell under Alaric's siege. In the wake of the
pillaging that ensued, Alaric appointed him to the post in
usurpation of Honorius whose court and castle was in
Augustus 409-410 & 414-415 Ravenna. While Honorius tentatively recognized Attalus as a
colleague he wouldn't cave in to Alaric's demands for territory
handover. Militarily unable to topple Honorius and unsatisfied with mere diplomatic recognition, Alaric seized what
he could and left Rome with Attalus and Galla Placidia, Honorius's sister. Diplomatic activity continued between
the two but Alaric died and negotiations continued under Ataulf, Alaric's brother-in-law.
Ataulf was stonewalled by Honorius in much the same fashion and saw that he'd have to switch strategies if his
ends were to be met. He tried an alliance with Jovinus, usurper under Guntiarius, but these negotiations failed as
well. So he moved his forces against the Jovinus-Sebastianus coalition, defeated them and re-installed Attalus as
emperor. But by this time Honorius had recovered somewhat and was able to move against Ataulf under the
leadership of Constantius III. Constantius blockaded Ataulf's supply route and, seeing that his position was
untenable, retreated leaving Attalus to fend for himself. Attalus was captured in short order, mutilated and then
exiled.
Busts:
Making the top twenty list of rarest emperors, and
1) Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust right maybe the top ten, is Priscus Attalus whose
accounted-for coins number less than 50 across all
denominations and metal types.
Obverses:
1) IMP PRISCVS ATTALVS PF AVG
Every few years one turns up and passes,
2) PRISC ATTALVS PF AVG presumably, from one wealthy collector‟s bank vault
3) PRISCVS ATTALVS AVG into the next.
Reverses: The Siliqua pictured in this section was purchased by
1) INVICTA ROMA AETERNA
the author on eBay for $2,700 in 2003 which is an
2) RESTITVTIO REIP aberration both on price (a bargain) as well as venue
3) VICTORIA AVGG as this sort of rarity usually appears as highlight
4) VICTORIA AVGGG
5) VICTORIA AVGVSTI offerings by elite coin firms and auction houses.
7) No legend
Types:
1) Priscus Attalus standing left, holding hand of kneeling woman and labarum
2) Priscus Attalus standing right, stepping on captive, holding labarum and Victory on globe.
4) Roma seated, facing, holding Victory on globe and spear.
6) Victory advancing right, holding trophy and shield
Mints:
1) Narbo Martius
2) Roma
AR Medallion Reference(s)
1) B2, O2, R1, T4, M2 Exe: RMPS RIC X 1408
AR Siliqua
2) B1, O2, R1, T3, M2 Exe: */PST RIC X 1412
AE3
3) B1, O2, R6, T5, M2 Exe: * over OF/`/SMVRM RIC X 1414
545
Priscus Attalus Busts Priscus Attalus Types
An obscure emperor whose rise to power coincided with most

Jovinus troubling times for the empire. Rome had just been sacked for the
first time in over 800 years, Spain had seceded under their own
ruler as had Britain under Constantine III and the Vandals were
Augustus 411-413 overruning Northern Africa. To add to this loss, Guntiarius, leader
of several barbarian bands seized control of parts of Gaul and
Germany when Constantius III defeated the forces of Constantine
III but had to head back towards Italy for problems there. Guntiarius chose Jovinus, an aristocrat of Gallic origins,
to act as figurehead and diplomatic chip. Before he had had enough time to exhaust recognition or an alliance with
Honorius, Ataulf, a rival barbarian leader, decimated his forces and captured Jovinus who was subsequently
beheaded along with his brother and co-Augustus Sebastianus.
Bust:
Among the very rare set of emperors in the fifth century who
ruled out of Italy, Jovinus is one of the easier to find and
“affordable”. His Siliquae make appearances once or twice a
Obverse: year among the better stocked coin dealers and on the major
coin catalogs. The going rate for one of these seems to be
1) DN IOVINVS PF AVG from $1,000 to $3,000 with condition only playing a minor role.
When wealthy collectors fight with their wallets over a lonely
Reverses: coin that can‟t be found elsewhere illogical things tend to
happen!
1) RESTITVTOR REIP
2) VICTORIA AVGG
3) No legend This reign, which extends to encompass that of Sebastianus,
either did not make any bronze coins or those that were made
Types: were so few that none have survived. None, at least, in any
sort of condition that would allow one to attrinbute them.
1) Cross, Alpha and Omega on either side.
2) Jovinus standing right, stepping on captive, holding labarum and Victory on globe.
Mints:
1) Arelate
2) Lugdunum
3) Treveri
1) B1, O1, R1, T2, M1 Exe: A/R/KONOB
AR Siliqua
2) B1, O1, R2, T3, M1 Exe: KONT RIC X 1721

3) B1, O1, R2, T3, M2 Exe: SMLDV RIC X 1717
4) B1, O1, R2, T3, M3 Exe: TRMS RIC X 1711
5) B1, O1, R2, T3, M3 Exe: TRPS RIC X 1710
546
Jovinus Bust Jovinus Types
Shadowiest of the shadow emperors, all that is known about

Sebastianus Sebastianus is that he was the brother of equally obscure
Jovinus. Jovinus was the puppet emperor of a conglomeration
of germanic and gallic tribes loosely headed by a certain
Augustus c.412-413 Guntiarius. With their help and in the interest of keeping
political formalities, they elevated him to "emperor" and
coinage was struck in his name. But there was little, if any
power to be wielded by him beyond palace gesturing. It was under these conditions that one of the few acts as
emperor would be to crown his brother as "co-emperor". Still, Honorius and a host of other tribes took the
happenings seriously enough and considered the German-Gallic area under their nominal custody a runaway
province. Ataulf, now in league with Honorius, sent a large force which easily located and defeated Sebastianus
and then Jovinus (along with another brother, Sallustius). They were beheaded and their heads triumphantly
paraded all the way to the court of Honorius in Ravenna.
Bust:
Another impossibly rare emperor, Sebastianus is likely the
1) Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right rarest of the fifth century Roman emperors though it is
difficult to tell for certain; the other contenders in this
Obverse: category being Constans II, Glycerius and Olybrius none
of whom appear in even the most eclectic auction venues
1) DN SEBASTIANVS PF AVG
except for very rare occasions.
Reverse:
In November of 2000 the auction firm Numismatik Lanz
1) VICTORIA AVGG
sold the coin below for $19,074 minus buyer‟s fees.
Type:
1) Roma seated left on cuirass, holding Victory on globe and spear.
Mint:
1) Arelate
1) B1, O1, R1, T1, M1 Exe: KON
547
Constantius III was a general under Honorius. It was thanks to him
Constantius III and his armies that the usurpers Constantine III, Constans II and
Maximus were defeated and their domains returned to the empire.
As recognition for these triumphs Honorius gave him his sister,
Galla Placidia, in marriage and made him co-emperor in 421.
Augustus 421 However, Theodosius II out in the eastern half of the empire would
not recognize Constantius. To assert his title, Constantius then
prepared to take on Theodosius but became ill and died before plans could materialize. Galla became pregnant
before his death and their son Valentinian III would in a few years become emperor himself.
Busts:
1) Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust right In power for only about half a year, and a year in which
2) Diademed (rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust right not many coins seem to have been struck at that, adds
up to one of the great rarities in Roman Imperial
Obverses: coinage.
1) DN CONSTANTIVS PF AVG
Over the last several years only two seem to have come
up for sale. One was a Solidus sold at auction for over
Reverses:
$24,000 and the other a controversial Siliqua for a tenth
1) VICTORIA AVGGG that much. The controversy stems around an odd
2) VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM exergue marking, SMN, which would possibly indicate
Sacra Moneta Narbonensis. Priscus Attalus had used
the city as an imperial seat a few years before and had
Types:
struck some coins from here. However, Honorius,
1) Constantius III standing right, stepping on captive, holding labarum
Constantius III‟s patron, is not known to have minted
and Victory on globe. any coins from here himself so it seems odd. The coin
2) Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm. itself appears genuine however. It is listed here with the
caveat that the exergue, which is only partially readable,
Mint: may read something else entirely or have an
unconventional arrangement that indicates Ravenna
1) Narbo Martius which would be the most likely location. It certainly does
2) Ravenna not refer to Nicomedia which was very far from his
sphere of control.
AR ½ Siliqua
2) B1, O1, R3, T2, M1 Exe: SMN
Constantius III Busts
Constantius III Types

548
Galla Placidia led probably the most dramatic life of any

Galla Placidia empress. She was the daughter of Theodosius and half-
sister of both Honorius and Arcadius. While living in
Rome during the sacking of 410, she was kidnapped by
b.388 - d.450 Alaric and taken to Carthage. Although Alaric died soon
afterwards, his successor, Athaulf, went on to Gaul with
the intention of eventually deposing Honorius. In transit
he forcibly married Galla, most likely to strengthen his claim to a would-be throne. He was defeated and chased
out of Gaul, along with her, into Spain where he died in 415. At this point another rival barbarian leader, Singeric,
captured her and the remaining Roman entourage that left Rome five years previously. However, Singeric and his
forces were outmaneuvered by Constantius III, key general under Honorius and forced into a treaty which gained
Galla's release. She then married Constantius III as part of his reward for his battle successes. But Constantius III
died a couple of years later and, in what was to be a scandal not seen since the days of Commodus, Honorius
took a rather unhealthy liking to his half sister. The scandal only ended with his death for unrelated reasons.
Galla, who Honorius had exiled just prior to his death (as part of his damage control program), now wandered
towards Constantinople with her son Valentinian III. She arrived at the court of Theodosius II who saw a perfect
pretext to meddle in the affairs of the West. By proclaiming his support of her through Valentinian as the rightful
heir to the throne, he moved militarily in a coup that deposed Johannes, Honorius's successor. Johannes was
executed and Valentinian III was restored as the nominal emperor although it was understood that Galla was the
real power behind the throne. In turn, Theodosius was able to exert considerable influence over both. With
Valentinian's growing older and external pressures her influence waned. Not long after Valentinian married she
retired from politics and spent the rest of her life devoted to charitable works.
Busts:
1) Diademed, draped bust right Difficult to find and expensive to obtain about sums it
2) Diademed, draped bust right, being crowned by Hand of God up for this and following First Ladies of the later
Roman empire.
Obverses:
1) AEL PLACIDIA AVG
Curiously, the least expensive (and rare) coins will
2) DN GALLA PLACIDIA AVG be the gold denominations followed by silver and last
3) GALLA PLACIDIA AVG the lowly bronze which by now is next to impossible
to find in anything but crude lumps of cheap, leaded
Reverses:
alloys that have only the faintest portrait outlines and
1) CONCORDIA AVG legends. When that rare one comes up for sale that
2) IMP XXXXII COS XVII PP has halfway decent features collectors line up to get
3) SALVS REIPVBLICAE their hands on it.
4) SALVS REIPVBLICE
5) VOT XX MVLT XXX
6) VOT XXX MVLT XXXX
7) No legend A Tremissis will start at around $1,000 and a Solidus
for $2,500 to over $10,000.
Types:
1) Constantinopolis seated left, holding cross on globe and scepter; shield to side.
2) Cross
3) Galla Placidia seated, facing
4) Roma seated left, holding cross on globe and scepter
5) Valentinian III seated, facing, holding mappa
7) Victory seated right, holding shield with Chi-Rho design
8) Victory standing left, holding cross; star above.
10) Wreath, cross within
Mints:
1) Constantinopolis
2) Ravenna
3) Roma
1) B2, O1, R5, T08, M1 Exe: CONOB Officina at end of reverse legend RIC 230 (X, Theodosius II)
2) B2, O2, R3, T07, M2 Exe: R/V/COMOB RIC 1333 (X, Valentinian III)
549
4) B2, O2, R5, T08, M3 Exe: R/M/COMOB RIC 2007 (X, Valentinian III)
AU Tremissis
6) B1, O2, R7, T09, M2 Exe: COMOB RIC 1343 (X, Valentinian III)
AR Siliqua
7) B1, O2, R3, T07, M2 Exe: RVPS RIC 2082 (X, Valentinian III)
8) B1, O2, R7, T09, M2 Exe: RV RIC 2092 (X, Valentinian III)
AE4
9) B2, O2, R4, T2, M3 Exe: R¢M RIC 2113 (X, Valentinian III), L 857
Galla Placidia Busts
Galla Placidia Types
Johannes was a high-ranking civil servant under Honorius. When
Johannes the emperor died there was no clear successor and Johannes was
proclaimed Augustus with the help and approval of a former
Honorius general. Johannes's title was immediately contested by
Augustus 423-425 Theodosius II who stood to gain politically by aligning himself with
Constantius III's widow, Galla Placidia, and her infant son
Valentinian III. Accordingly, an army was sent to crush Johannes
and he was captured, publicly ridiculed, mutilated and then executed.
During the latter part of Honorius‟s reign and after his death a slew of obscure emperors had been taking
their turn at claiming the imperial title. However, Johannes is the first successor who manages to stay on the
position long enough for any appreciable amount of coins to be struck for him.
But that‟s not to say a coin of Johannes is trivially easy to come by. While a bronze of Honorius is cheap and
easy to find that generally holds true because early in his reign small bronzes were still being made in great
quantities. By the time of his death however the production of base coinage had slowed to a trickle. And
these are decidedly cruder in style and craftsmanship. Oddly enough one‟s best hope of finding a coin of his
is among the very small coins offered for sale as “uncleaned”. Among these very difficult to restore coins a
Johannes turns up every now and then. Almost never will they have more than a few letters visible but
sometimes can be positively ID‟d based on a portrait that is bearded or the abstracted form of a Victory on
the reverse coupled with misshapen letters; that is, if any are still legible!
These coins, when attributable, are always worth a few hundred dollars with surviving condition being the
most important variable. A coin with a readable part of his name will command a hefty premium. Silver and
gold coins will appear with some regularity on the catalogs of coin dealers and auction houses but priced
well out of reach of the budget of most collectors.
550
Busts:

Obverse:
1) DN IOHANNES PF AVG
Reverses:
1) SALVS REIPVBLICE 4) VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM

2) VICTORIA AVGG 5) VRBS ROMA
3) VICTORIA AVGGG
Types:
1) Johannes standing right, stepping on captive, holding labarum and Victory on globe.
2) Roma seated left, holding Victory on globe and spear
3) Victory advancing left, holding trophy and dragging captive
5) Victory advancing right, holding wreath and cross on globe
6) Victory seated right, holding shield on column with Chi-Ro inside; Genius below and to right also holding shield.
7) Victory standing left, holding wreath and palm
Mints:
1) Arelate 3) Ravenna
2) Mediolanum 4) Roma
1) B2, O1, R3, T1, M3 Exe: R/V/COMOB RIC X 1901
AU Semissis
2) B2, O1, R4, T6 Exe: COMOB RIC X 1903
AU Tremissis
AE4
4) B1, O1, R2, T4, M4 Exe: `/RM RIC X 1910
5) B1, O1, R1, T3, M4 Exe: ¤ over `/RM RIC X 1916, L 833
6) B1, O1, R1, T3, M4 Exe: `RM RIC X 1920, L 837
7) B1, O1, R1, T3, M4 Exe: ¤/RM` RIC X 1923, L 838
Johannes Busts
Johannes Types
551
The grandson of Valentinian II, Valentinian III was the son of
Valentinian III Constantius III (who in turn had no relation to the Constantines).
He grew up like royalty and became Caesar, then emperor very
early in life. However, he had no real power as first his mother and
Augustus 425-455 then the general Aetius restricted his ability to rule by imposing
their own will. Apparently in an effort to rid himself of the influence
of Aetius he managed to get the general assassinated but rather
than free him, Aetius's bodyguard avenged his murder by killing the emperor a few months later.
Busts:
Although the listings below show a rather lengthy corpus the fact is
1) Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust right that outside of a Solidus or two the coins of Valentinian III are much
2) Diademed (rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust
right rarer than a thirty-year reign might suggest. And if that Solidus could
3) Diademed bust left, wearing consular robes, be considered “common”, which it really isn‟t, it is only because it
holding mappa and cross
4) Diademed bust left, wearing consular robes, was being struck by prolific moneyer Theodosius II in faraway
holding mappa and scepter with eagle atop Constantinople. The issues struck in Italy are for the most part pretty
5) Helmeted, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust
facing, holding spear and shield
rare and expensive.
right, holding spear and shield Bronzes are also difficult to come by. Oddly, it is easier to find an
right AE4 of Johannes, who ruled less than two years, than one of
Valentinian. Even odder, despite being rarer the Johannes AE4‟s are
Obverses: always worth a lot more anyway! However, affordability aside, do not
expect his bronzes to be exactly objets d‟art as they are invariably
1) DN PL VALENTINIANVS PF AG poorly preserved and with most features obliterated. Whatever is left
2) DN PL VALENTINIANVS PF AVG
3) DN PLA VALENTINIANVS PF AVG will likely have been shoddily done in the first place making
4) DN PLACIDVS VALENTINIANVS PF AVG attribution a nightmare.
5) DN VAL CHA
6) DN VALEN AVG
7) DN VALENTINIANO PF AVG Well, at least there‟s that eastern-mint Solidus which is found easily
8) DN VALENTINIANVS PF AVG enough and should cost around $600 each.
Reverses:
1) ADVENT S S DN AVG 10) SALVS REIPVBLICAE 19) VIRTVS ROMANORVM

2) CAS VIC 11) SALVS REIPVBLICE 20) VOT PVB
3) CONCORDIA AVG 12) VICTO AVG 21) VOT X MVLT XX
4) CONCORDIA AVGV 13) VICTOR AVGVS 22) VOT XX MVLT XXX
5) FELICITER NVBTIIS 14) VICTORIA AGG 23) VOT XXX MVLT XXXX
6) GLORIA ROMANORVM 15) VICTORIA AVG 24) VOTIS XXX MVLTIS XXXX
7) IMP XXXXII COS XVII PP 16) VICTORIA AVGG 25) VRBIS ROMA
8) INVICTISSIMO 17) VICTORIA AVGGG 26) VRBS ROMA
9) ROMA 18) VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM 27) No legend
Types:
1) City gate with (2) turrets.

3) Cross
5) Roma seated left, holding Victory on globe and cross.
6) Roma seated, facing, holding globe and scepter.
7) Valentinian III advancing right, dragging captive and holding labarum.
8) Valentinian III and Licinia Eudoxia standing, facing, holding hands with Theodosius II between and behind them, hands on their shoulders
9) Valentinian III and Theodosius II seated, facing, each holding mappa and cross; star above.
10) Valentinian III and Theodosius II seated, facing, each holding spear and cross between them
11) Valentinian III and Theodosius II standing, facing, together holding a cross and each a spear
12) Valentinian III riding horse left, raising hand
13) Valentinian III seated, facing, holding mappa and cross
14) Valentinian III seated, facing, holding mappa and scepter with eagle atop.
15) Valentinian III standing, facing, holding hand of kneeling person to left and holding scepter with crossed tip.
16) Valentinian III standing, facing, holding labarum and Christogram on globe
17) Valentinian III standing, facing, stepping on human-headed snake, holding cross and Victory on globe.
18) Valentinian III to left, standing, facing, holding mappa and scepter with crossed tip and Licinia Eudoxia to right, standing, facing, holding cross
19) Valentinian III to right, standing, facing, holding cross on globe and globe, being crowned by Hand of God, facing Theodosius II to left, standing, facing,
holding cross and globe
20) Victories (2) standing, facing each other, together holding palm
21) Victory advancing forward, holding wreath and cross on globe.
22) Victory advancing forward, holding wreath in each hand
24) Victory advancing right, dragging captive and holding trophy
26) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT/X/MVLT/XX on column; Genius below and to right also holding shield.
27) Victory seated right, holding shield reading XV/ XX
29) Victory standing, facing, holding wreath in each hand.
552
32) Wreath, VOT / XV within
33) Wreath, VOT / XX within
Mints:
1) Aquileia 4) Mediolanum 7) Thessalonica
2) Constantinopolis 5) Ravenna 8) Treveri
3) Cyzicus 6) Roma
1) B1, O7, R01, T12, M02 Exe: */CONOB
AU Solidus
4) B2, O3, R17, T17, M04 Exe: M/D/COMOB RIC 2025 (X, Valentinian III)
9) B7, O3, R05, T08, M07 Exe: COMOB
AU Semissis
AU Tremissis
AR ½ Siliqua
14) B1, O3, R16, T23, M05 Exe: RV RIC 2085 (X, Valentinian III)
AE3
15) B6, O8, R04, T11, M02 Exe: CON RIC 461 (X, Theodosius II)
AE4
16) B1, O3, R11, T23, M06 Exe: `/RM RIC 2110 (X, Valentinian III)
17) B1, O5, R16, T23, M06 Exe: ROM RIC 2158 (X, Valentinian III), L 865
18) B1, O8, R15, T23, M06 Exe: */RM RIC 2122 (X, Valentinian III)
19) B1, O8, R16, T20, M06 Exe: `/RM RIC 2132 (X, Valentinian III), L 860
20) B1, O8, R20, T01, M06 Exe: RSM RIC 2123 (X, Valentinian III)
553
Valentinian III Busts
Valentinian III Types

554
The wife of Valentinian III, when her husband was killed,

Licinia Eudoxia Petronius Maximus, the successor, forced her to marry
him. This outrage she never forgave him. In fact, she
made an appeal to Gaiseric of the Vandals and all of the
? – c.493 Roman empire was to suffer for her vengeance. Gaiseric
sailed off from his home base in Africa and plundered
Rome and its few remaining cities. Licinia was carried off
as part of the loot but was later returned to the emperor Leo in Constantinople where she lived for the remainder
of her life.
Busts:
1) Diademed, draped bust right

On the whole, coins featuring Roman empresses
2) Diademed, draped bust right, being crowned by Hand of God are rare. Of these, those of the Western half of the
3) Diademed, facing bust wearing necklace and imperial dress empire are considerably rarer than the Eastern.
And of the paltry few coins left of Western Roman
Obverses: empresses those of Licinia are exceptionally rare.
Only Euphemia, the wife of Anthemius, is more
1) AEL EVDOXIA AVG
2) DN ELIA EVDOXIA PF AVG elusive.
3) LICINIA EVDOXIA PF AVG
Her known coins are all gold denominations and
Reverses: the lucky few collectors who can say they own one
1) IMP XXXXII COS XVII PP
will not part with these minor treasures for cheap.
2) SALVS ORIENTIS FELICITAS OCCIDENTIS On the occasions they show up at auction these
3) SALVS REIPVBLICAE coins always realize prices in excess of $5,000
4) VICTORIA AVGG
5) VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM regardless of condition.
7) No legend
Types:
1) Constantinopolis seated left, holding cross on globe and scepter.

2) Licinia Eudoxia and Valentinian III standing, facing; she holds scepter, he holds mappa and scepter.
3) Licinia Eudoxia seated, facing, holding cross on globe and scepter with crossed tip.
4) Victory standing left, holding cross.
6) Wreath, cross within.
Mints:
1) Constantinopolis
2) Ravenna
3) Roma
1) B2, O1, R6, T1, M1 Exe: */CONOB RIC 264 (X, Theodosius II)
2) B2, O2, R3, T4, M2 Exe: R/V/COMOB
Licinia Eudoxia Busts Licinia Eudoxia Types

555
Justa Gratia Honoria was the sister of Valentinian III and

Honoria daughter of Galla Placidia.
? - d.454
Busts:
The house of Valentinian III was not short on women
1) Diademed, draped bust right involved in the politics of the day. But it was short on
2) Diademed, draped bust right; Hand of God above
those same women‟s likenesses being cast onto
coins. Like Licinia Eudoxia in the previous section,
Obverse: Honoria is known through a handful of gold coins but
1) DN IVST GRAT HONORIA PF AVG
no bronzes.
Reverses: A Tremissis or Solidus comes up for sale every once

in a great while for a few thousand dollars each.
1) BONO REIPVBLICAE
3) No legend
Types:

Mints:
1) Ravenna
2) Roma
AU Tremissis
Honoria Busts
Honoria Types
556
Petronius Maximus was one of the most powerful and

Petronius Maximus wealthy politicians of Rome during the fifth century.
Following Valentinian III's assassination there was little
indication who would succeed the imperial throne.
Augustus 455 Maximus positioned himself as the likeliest candidate
and probably with a fair dose of palm greasing within the
Senate achieved the succession. Immediately after, he
forced the marriage to Valentinian's own widow to validate his imperial claim. It proved to be political suicide.
Licinia Eudoxia, a powerful and well-connected noble in her own right, harbored intense resentment over Maximus
whom she had good reason of suspecting foul play in her former husband's death. And now the forced marriage
was the last straw. Secretly, she appealed for help to the weakening empire's greatest adversary at the moment,
the Vandals of Africa. Led by King Gaiseric, the Vandals needed little incentive to go on a looting rampage and
thus set the wheels in motion for a major invasion of Italy. As the invasion became known in Rome a panic ensued
and turned into a desperate mob. Unraveling what had happened and what was surely to become, they tracked
down Maximus in his palace and stoned him to death with the tiles of his own roof after a reign of only about two
months.
Gaiseric wasn't long in coming, pillaging Rome a second time and hauling off with whatever loot it could find
including, ironically enough, Licinia Eudoxia herself.
Busts:
The western Roman empire during the fifth century
1) Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust right produced relatively few coins. Precious metal coinage
2) Diademed (rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust right was struck erratically as specie became available and
then mostly to pay off barbarian tribes in tribute or its own
Obverse: rag-tag band of soldiers.
1) DN PETRONIVS MAXIMVS PF AVG st
Having ruled from March 16 through May 31 , Petronius
Maximus barely had any time in office. Given these two
Reverse: variables it‟s hardly a wonder that he easily makes the
1) VICTORIA AVGGG
top ten list of rarest of Roman emperors to be featured on
a coin. The few that do make it to auction will invariably
Type: reach five or six figures.
1) Petronius Maximus standing, facing, stepping on serpent, holding cross and Victory on globe.
Mints:
1) Ravenna
2) Roma
1) B1, O1, R1, T1, M2 Exe: R/M/COMOB RIC X 2201

557
Avitus was the leading commander under Petronius Maximus and

Avitus was elevated to the throne when Maximus was killed. He held on
to power for almost a year before the citizens of Rome revolted
over one of the now-common food shortages. Taking advantage of
Augustus 455-456 the unrest, the general Ricimer and his aide Majorian mutinied and
Avitus fled towards Gaul, which is where his main powerbase was.
However, the forces of Ricimer caught up with him and his
entourage was defeated. Avitus attempted to gain sanctuary in a nearby temple but Ricimer laid siege to it until
Avitus either committed suicide or starved to death.
Busts:
Despite clocking a little more time at the top than
1) Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust right Petronius Maximus, Avitus‟s coins are hardly any
more abundant. The fact remains that the western
section of the empire is rapidly collapsing and
Obverses: there is neither need nor resources for minting
1) DN AVITVS PERP AG
money. As always, what little gold can be
2) DN AVITVS PERP AVG scrounged up to pay for critical government and
3) DN AVITVS PERP F AVG military services is coined anyway and a few
4) DN AVITVS PF AVG
vestigial mementos therefore remain of this
Reverses: troubled ruler.
1) VICTORIA AVG Surprisingly enough, even a handful of crude

2) VICTORIA AVGG bronzes have been identified as well. All of these
3) VICTORIA AVGGG
4) VRBIS ROMA coins are extreme rarities.
5) No legend
Types:
1) Avitus standing right, stepping on captive, holding cross and Victory on globe.
3) Victory standing left, holding wreath and palm
Mints:
1) Arelate
2) Mediolanum
3) Roma
1) B2, O3, R3, T1, M1 Exe: A/R/COMOB RIC X 2401
AU Tremissis
2) B1, O2, R5, T4, M1 Exe: COMOB RIC X 2402
AE4
3) B1, O4, R1, T3, M3 Exe: */RM RIC X 2412

4) B1, O4, R1, T3, M3 Exe: `/RM RIC X 2413
Avitus Busts Avitus Types

558
Majorian ruled for a comparatively lengthy four-year reign at

Majorian the end of the Roman empire. Having been associated in his
youth with Aetius, the commander slain by Valentinian III, his
imperial title came at the disposition of the general Ricimer
Augustus 457-461 with whom he was also involved. Ricimer would have loved to
make himself emperor but his barbarian blood prevented him
from the post. His discretion in not forcing the issue meant he
wouldn't have to quell any revolts within Italy and his choice to appoint his friend Majorian would have been the
next best thing.
Majorian himself appears to have had a commendable character. Widespread discontent had been rampant ever
since tax collectors refused the legal tender of the day and instead demanded payment in money minted by
second-century emperors! So in a bid to ease tensions in the moribund empire he nullified past debts owed to the
state treasury. By resetting the public balance sheet Majorian could only have gained a good deal of popularity
and perhaps this explains why his tenure as emperor lasted so long compared to his two immediate predecessors.
However, his downfall was soon to come just at the height of his glory.
With the newfound unity among Romans, Majorian set out to reclaim the north African coast lost to the Vandals
and which had been for the past 50 years its single biggest loss. Carthage and its adjoining provinces was Italy's
breadbasket and without it the Roman empire was slowly starving. Majorian and Ricimer devised a plan to drive
the Vandals out of Africa by building a powerful new navy from scratch. As the army set sail by way of Spain
someone double-crossed the two and the navy ships were ambushed while in port at Carthagena. Majorian and
Ricimer's grand scheme crumbled without a way to mount an invasion. Suddenly his formerly grateful subjects
turned on him and threatened rebellion. Whether Ricimer let him resign or Majorian himself abdicated is unsure.
Several days later he was found dead and although the historical references point to disease the timing seems to
favor an alternate, more violent end.
Busts:
1) Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust right Under Majorian‟s four year reign the
2) Diademed (rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust right social, political and economic
3) Diademed bust facing, wearing consular robes, holding mappa and scepter
4) Helmeted, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right, holding spear and shield upheavals of the previous years get a
much needed period of rest. Coins,
Obverses: however, continue to be struck in very
limited quantities and no significant
1) DN IVL MAIORIANVS C effort is expended in halting the
2) DN IVL MAIORIANVS PE AVG
3) DN IVL MAIORIANVS PER AVG artistic slide committed into their
4) DN IVL MAIORIANVS PF production.
5) DN IVL MAIORIANVS PF A
6) DN IVL MAIORIANVS PF AVG
7) DN IVLIVS MAIORIANVS A few small coppers survive and
8) DN IVLIVS MAIORIANVS F AVG these are the “cheapest”. They still
9) DN IVLIVS MAIORIANVS PE AVG
10) DN IVLIVS MAIORIANVS PF AV run quite pricey at a minimum of $500
11) DN IVLIVS MAIORIANVS PF AVG each and for this one should expect
12) DN MAIORIANE PF AVG
13) DN MAIORIANE PT AVG no more than a barely identifiable
14) DN MAIORIANVS PF AVG specimen.
15) DN MAIORIANVS PT AVG
Silver and, of course, gold coins hold

Reverses: up better with full- or near-full legends
1) VICTORIA AVGG
being the norm. When available, they
2) VICTORIA AVGGG will cost at least a thousand dollars
3) VOTIS MVLTIS and, more typically, several thousand.
4) No legend
Types:
1) Majorian and Leo I seated, facing, each holding mappa and scepter with crossed tip.
2) Majorian standing left, holding spear and shield
3) Majorian standing, facing, resting hand on head of captive and holding labarum
4) Majorian standing, facing, stepping on snake, holding cross and Victory on globe.
6) Victory standing left, holding wreath and palm.
559
Mints:
2) Mediolanum 4) Roma Suspected, but not yet confirmed
1) B4, O11, R2, T4, M1 Exe: A/R/COMOB. RIC X 2627

AU Tremissis
3) B1, O06, R4, T7, M3 Exe: COMOB RIC X 2611
AR ½ Siliqua
4) B4, O07, R1, T5, M2 RIC X 2650
AE3/AE4
5) B1, O06, R2, T6, M2 Exe: MD RIC X 2646, L 582
6) B1, O06, R2, T6, M3 Exe: RV RIC X 2616, L 586
Majorian Busts
Majorian Types
After the execution of Majorian in 461 the general Ricimer placed

Libius Severus Severus as emperor. Only emperor in name, Ricimer remained the
true power in the quickly deteriorating Roman Empire. Little else is
known about this emperor other than the fact that he died in office
Augustus 461-465 of natural causes, in itself a remarkable feat for this turbulent
period.
Bust:
A four year reign could be considered lengthy and yet finding a
1) Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust right coin of Libius Severus outside of a museum is a rare sight
2) Diademed (rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust right indeed. In terms of rarity one could compare him with Didius
Julianus or Laelianus both of whom had much, much briefer
Obverses: reigns.
1) DN LIB SEVERVS PF AVG
2) DN LIBIVS SEVERVS PE AVG
Still, the collector will find that for the period his coins are that
3) DN LIBIVS SEVERVS PERPE AVG much easier to locate than those of his immediate
4) DN LIBIVS SEVERVS PERPETV AG predecessors and succesors. The collector will also begin to
5) DN LIBIVS SEVERVS PERPETV AVG
6) DN LIBIVS SEVERVS PF AV see Rome‟s final lap in the crudeness of the designs and the
7) DN LIBIVS SEVERVS PF AVG carelessness of the strikings.
8) No legend
Any coin of Libius Severus may be expected to cost at least

several hundreds of dollars and from there up, up, up.
560
Reverses:
2) VICTO AVG
3) VICTORIA AVGGG
4) VRBIS ROMA
5) No legend
Types:
1) Monogram
3) Severus standing, facing, stepping on snake, holding cross and Victory on globe
4) Wreath, christogram within
6) Wreath, monogram within
Mints:
2) Mediolanum 4) Roma
1) B2, O4, R3, T3, M2 Exe: M/D/COMOB RIC X 2724

2) B2, O7, R3, T3, M3 Exe: R/V/CONOB RIC X 2719
3) B2, O7, R3, T3, M4 Exe: R/M/C RIC X 2706
AU Tremissis
AR ½ Siliqua
7) B2, O1, R5, T4, M4 Exe: RM RIC X 2713
AE4
8) B2, O8, R5, T1 RIX X 2716
Libius Severus Busts
Libius Severus Types

561
Unlike at any other time in Roman history up until this point,
Anthemius following the death of Libius Severus there was no one to take his
place in imperial succession. Ricimer was the powerful general in
charge of the army and for over a year and a half he handled the
Augustus 467-472 administrative duties of the empire. Not that that changed anything.
Ricimer had been the real power in the Western Empire for several
years. Severus had just been his charade of an emperor placed
there to appease the Senate and the rest of the Roman world which expected a Roman leader (Ricimer himself
being of barbarian descent).
However, Ricimer had no one else in mind as window dressing after Severus' passing. Still, appearances or no an
emperor had to be formally named sooner or later. In the camp of Ricimer a Roman of barbarian sympathies,
Olybrius, had been proposed and it seemed as though he would be elevated. But out east Leo I had had ample
time to hear of the developments in Rome. Being far more powerful politically and militarily, he decided to appoint
a puppet of his own, Anthemius, to head the Western court. Deciding not to risk a civil war he could definitely not
win, Ricimer stepped aside and welcomed Anthemius.
But Anthemius was no idle pretender. He had served Leo faithfully as a general and had won several key battles
on his behalf. In fact, he was so popular over there that he was expected to be the one to succeed Marcian. So
Leo in effect rid himself of a future potential problem by both promoting Anthemius and removing him from the
spotlight.
But the new emperor was like a fish out of water. He lacked the resources to mount an effective campaign to
regain Gaul or Spain and the whole of Africa had now been decidedly lost to the Romans following the fiasco of
the expedition led by Basiliscus. He ruled for five uneasy years with Ricimer until tensions strained past the
breaking point. Ricimer marched towards Rome at the head of a large army and laid siege to a weakened Rome.
As expected, the meager forces of Anthemius gave way and the emperor was captured and executed.
Busts:
Among the various Rome-based emperors left after the fall of
1) Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust right Valentinian III, Anthemius will be the easiest for whom to find a
3) Helmeted, diademed (pearls), cuirassed bust facing, holding coin. But don‟t rush to your corner coin shop just yet. He comes
spear over shoulder and shield in a really long distant second after Valentinian III and will be an
4) Helmeted, diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust
facing, holding spear over shoulder invariably rare offering today. Among these the most common
will be the Solidus and Tremissis which will easily cost over a
Obverses: thousand dollars a piece when available.
1) DN ANTHEMIVS PE AVG To make things a bit more interesting the official mints are now
2) DN ANTHEMIVS PERP AVG
3) DN ANTHEMIVS PERPE AVG making gold coins of an artistic style so crude that they often get
4) DN ANTHEMIVS PERPET AV confused with imitative contemporary coins known to be made
5) DN ANTHEMIVS PERPET AVG by the various tribes at the edges of the empire like the Vandals
6) DN ANTHEMIVS PERPETV AG
7) DN ANTHEMIVS PERPETV AVG and Ostrogoths. These apparently co-mingled with the official
8) DN ANTHEMIVS PF AG strikes back then as long as they were of appropriate weight and
9) DN ANTHEMIVS PF AVG
10) DN PROC ANTHEMIVS PF AVG purity and today sell for neither a premium nor a penalty on the
market but simply make attribution a bit more difficult.
Reverses:
Bronzes exist in an almost theoretical plane… such as catalog
1) GLORIA REIPVBLICAE listings like in this book! The real-life chances of finding an
3) VICTORIA AVGGG
honest-to-goodness, fully identifiable Anthemius copper coin is
4) VRBIS ROMA about on a par with finding a Van Gogh at a yard sale.
5) No legend
Types:
1) Anthemius and Leo I seated, facing, each holding mappa and scepter with crossed tip.
2) Anthemius and Leo I standing, facing each other, holding together cross and each a globe.
3) Anthemius and Leo I standing, facing, together holding cross and each a spear
4) Anthemius and Leo I standing, facing, together holding cross on globe and each a spear.
5) Anthemius and Leo I standing, facing, together holding cross on globe reading PAX; emperor on right hold Victory on globe.
8) Wreath, Chi-Rho within.
10) Wreath, cross within with pellets at each tip
562
Mints:
1) Mediolanum
2) Ravenna
3) Roma
1) B2, O10, R2, T03, M2 Exe: RV/COMOB RIC X 2866
2) B3, O05, R2, T04, M1 Exe: MD/COMOB RIC X 2890
3) B3, O08, R2, T04, M1 Exe: MD/COMOB RIC X 2889
4) B3, O08, R2, T04, M2 Exe: £/COMOB RIC X 2816
5) B3, O08, R2, T04, M3 Exe: £/CORMOB
7) B3, O10, R2, T03, M2 Exe: RV/COMOB RIC X 2868
8) B4, O08, R2, T04, M3 Exe: RM over •/COMOB RIC X 2831
AU Semissis
AU Tremissis
AE4
13) B1, O08, R5, T11 RIC X 2859
Anthemius Busts
Anthemius Types
563
Wife of Anthemius. Euphemia was a noble related to the house
Euphemia of Valentinian III. When this emperor was murdered (Anthemius
was highly suspected of being involved) Anthemius forcibly
married Eufemia in a bid to legitimize his claim to the throne. This
?-? marriage proved a constant irritant and continuing insult to the
memory of Valentinian and she sought to undermine her new
husband by any means possible. Her last and boldest attempt
proved successful in a sense. By inciting a Vandal king to come to her aid and free her he found the little pretext
he needed and proceeded to raid and sack Rome.
Bust:
Forget about it. Like most other Roman empresses,
1) Diademed, draped bust right especially those from the Western court, the coins of
this ephemeral entity are impossibly rare. So much
Obverses: so that one is not likely to find any of her coins in any
of the major numismatic auctions.
1) DN AEL MARC EVEEMIAE PP AVG
2) DN AEL MARC EVFEMIAE PP AVG
3) DN AEL MARC EVFEMIAE PF AVG
The coin pictured below is from the British Museum
4) DN AEL MARC EVFIMIAE AVG and it is the only one in their possession as of this
5) DN AEL MARC EVFYMIAE PP AVG writing.
6) DN AELIA MARCIAE EVFIMI AG
7) DN EVFYMIA PF AVG
Reverses:
2) VICTORIA AVGGG
3) VRBIS ROMA
Types:
1) Anthemius and Euphemia standing, holding long crosses.
2) Roma seated on throne, holding Victory on globe and spear.
Mints:
1) Mediolanum
2) Ravenna
3) Roma
1) B1, O1, R2, T3, M3 Exe: CORMOB * at end of reverse legend
2) B1, O3, R2, T3, M3 Exe: COMOB * at end of reverse legend RIC 2827 (X, Anthemius)
564
One of the shadowier of the "shadow emperors", Olybrius
Anicius Olybrius was the last of Ricimer's puppet emperors having been
appointed to the post in the spring of 472. Ricimer died soon
afterwards but Olybrius, an otherwise well-placed Roman
Augustus 472 aristocrat, failed to leave his mark on history independent of
Ricimer's own wishes because he, too, would die later that
year. As can be expected, his coins are excessively rare and
sought after by affluent collectors.
Bust: Another member of the top ten most difficult and rarest of
emperors means you won‟t be seeing a coin with his name
1) Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right on it this side of a museum – if it‟s even available there. For
example, the British Museum with its unequalled collection
Obverses: of ancient coins has only one coin of his, a lonely Tremissis,
a cast of which is pictured below.
1) DN ANICIVS OLYBRIVS AVG
2) DN ANICIVS OLYBRIVS AG
Reverse:
1) SALVS MVNDI
2) No legend
Types:
1) Cross, jeweled
2) Cross, plain
Mints:
1) Mediolanum
2) Roma
AU Tremissis Reference(s)
565
Glycerius was one of the inconsequential emperors holding office

Glycerius during the Western empire's last heartbeats. He was a puppet of
the barbarian general Gundobad who, apparently seeking a stable
relationship with the much more powerful Eastern half of the
Augustus 473-474 empire, caved in to formalities and chose to exercise his power
over Italy through this chosen puppet.
But Leo I was not fooled and he nominated his own candidate, Julius Nepos, and sent him off towards Italy.
Gundobad evaporated and Glycerius, not wishing to confront Leo's will, abdicated peacefully to Nepos. For his
peaceful disposition in surrender he escaped execution and was subsequently made Bishop of Salona and then
Milan.
Busts:
Although on the throne for a full year Glycerius
seems to have minted remarkably few coins. Hardly
Obverses: any remain today in private or public hands. The
British Museum, with the world‟s largest collection of
1) DN GLVCERIVS F P AVG Roman coins numbering into the hundreds of
2)
3)
DN GLVCERIVS PF AVG
DN GLYCERIVS F P AVG
thousands has but one coin of his.
4) DN GLYCERIVS PF AVG
Although a few are in private hands none has come
Reverses: to market in years.
1) VICTORIA AVGG
2) VICTORIA AVGGG
3) No legend
Types:
1) Glycerius standing with foot on step, holding cross and Victory on globe.
Mints:
1) Ravenna
2) Roma
1) B2, O3, R1, T1 Exe: R/V/COMOB RIC 3101
AU Tremissis
2) B1, O3, R3, T3 Exe: COMOB RIC 3108
Glycerius Busts
Glycerius Types
566
Julius Nepos rose to power at the behest of Leo, the eastern
Julius Nepos emperor. The then current ruler, Glycerius, was but a palace court
appointee and puppet of a conquering barbarian general. On the
approach of Nepos' army, Glycerius abdicated and was allowed to
Augustus 474-475 retire without bloodshed. Nepos himself was to hold on to power
for barely a year before he fled another approaching army of
barbarians. Although without an army, subjects or any legislative
power, Nepos would linger in near anonymity in Northern Italy until he was murdered in 480 by men from his own
bodyguard. From the time he fled Rome until his death he was, however, diplomatically recognized by the court of
Leo as the emperor of the West. Technically at least, he was thus the last emperor outlasting the brief rule of
Romulus Augustus.
Busts:
During the last twenty years or so the Western
2) Helmeted, diademed, cuirassed bust facing, holding spear over shoulder and
Roman empire‟s entire coin output seems to
shield have been less than, for example, the brief
three-month reigns of Otho or Florian. Of the
Obverses: several rulers that were left to sit on the
imperial throne following Valentinian III‟s
1) DN IVL NEPOS PF AG death only Libius Severus and Julius Nepos
2) DN IVL NEPOS PF AVG
3) DN IVLI NEPOS PF AVG made enough coins to classify today as
4) DN IVLI NEPOS PF VAG something other than “exceedingly rare” or
5) No legend
some similar adjective.
Reverses:
But finding a coin of either of these two makes
1) GLORIA ROMANORVM for a challenging task. Still, a few Tremisses
2) SALVS REIPVBLICAE and the odd Solidus or two turn up with some
3) VICTORIA AVGGG
4) VRBIS ROMA
frequency among the more exclusive auction
5) No legend firms.
Types: A rough ball park figure for an “entry level”

grade Tremissis might be two or three
2) Roma seated, facing, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter and cornucopia. thousand dollars.
3) Roma standing left, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter and cornucopia.
Mints:
1) Arelate
2) Mediolanum
3) Ravenna
4) Roma
1) B2, O2, R3, T4, M2 Exe: M/D/•COMOB• : at end of reverse legend RIC X 3235
2) B2, O2, R3, T4, M2 Exe: M/D/CONOB RIC X 3217
4) B2, O2, R3, T4, M4 Exe: */COMOB RIC X 3206
AU Tremissis
6) B1, O2, R5, T6 Exe: COMOB The AV in obverse legend is concatenated as ~ RIC X 3221
AR ½ Siliqua
7) B1, O2, R5, T3 R in left field, V in right RIC X 3216
AE4
8) B1, O5, R5, T7 RIC X 3222
567
Julius Nepos Busts
Julius Nepos Types

568
Romulus Augustus was the last named emperor of
Romulus Augustus the Roman empire. He was the son of Orestes, a
barbarian king that overran the Italian peninsula and who
named his son emperor only to keep appearances of
Augustus 475-476 legitimacy. Barely in his teens, this last emperor was to
be thoroughly inconsequential with the exception of
being the last. Soon another barbarian king, Odoacer,
loomed on the horizon and the two kings fought and Odoacer emerged victorious. With Orestes dead, Odoacer
decided to spare the life of Augustus on account of his age but stripped him of his titles and exiled him to a rural
estate to live with relatives. His imperial dress and other related accoutrements were packed and sent to Zeno, the
eastern emperor, along with several senators and they were made to hand over his resignation along with terse
notice to the effect that Rome no longer needed an emperor. And with this the Western Roman empire was
finished as such and began its ultimate slide into the medieval age.
Busts:

2) Helmeted, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust facing holding spear over shoulder and shield
Obverses: The Roman empire ends not with a bang but with a
whimper. Money is the lifeblood of commerce and
1) DN ROMVL AVGVSTVS PF AG
2) DN ROMVL AVGVSTVS PF AVG there is hardly any of that in the year 476 anywhere in
3) DN ROMVLVS AGVSTVS P AVG Italy. The glorious city that was Rome, with a
4) DN ROMVLVS AGVSTVS PF AVG
5) DN ROMVLVS AVGVSTVS PF A population estimated at over one million people when
6) DN ROMVLVS AVGVSTVS PF AG Julius Caesar and Augustus reigned, was now a
7) DN ROMVLVS AVGVSTVS PF AVG
8) DN ROMVLVS AVSTVS PF AG
decrepit near-ghost town of perhaps less than 25,000
souls. So there was little money needed for the empty
Reverses: marketplaces nor for soldiers who by and large
weren‟t even Roman.
1) VICTORIA AVGGG
2) No legend But, of course, a few were struck regardless. And of
those that survived meltdown or other loss through
Types: time they are very, very highly prized today. On the
1) Roma holding scepter and cornucopia
few occasions a Romulus Augustus has been offered
2) Victory standing left, holding cross at auction hammer prices go well over $20,000.
3) Wreath, cross within.
Mints:
1) Arelate
2) Mediolanum
3) Ravenna
4) Roma
1) B2, O7, R1, T2, M4 Exe: R/M/COMOB RIC X 3405
AU Tremissis
2) B2, O5, R2, T3, M4 RIC X 3409
Romulus Augustus Busts Romulus Augustus Types

569
The Byzantine Period

The Byzantine age may be said to have been born when Constantinople refounded the already ancient city of
Byzantium into a capital the equal of Rome in the year 330 complete with imperial palaces, a treasury and
autonomous administrative bodies. Already a generation before Diocletian had set the wheels in motion by
splitting the empire into two halves in his Tetrarchy scheme. But while the western emperor always called the
great city of Rome his homebase his eastern associate migrated from one province city to the next without a true
capital to equal Rome‟s splendour and political prominence. It was not until Constantine‟s reign that he addressed
this last need and celebrated the event in an extensive coinage series the likes of which were unprecedented in
Roman history. These are the commonly found today Urbs Roma and Constantinopolis bronzes and the complete
issue spanned several years and was struck at every operating mint.
While Constantine gave the east a capital to rival Rome he still presided over both halves as the empire‟s ultimate
power figure and each of his successors attempted, if not achieved, to be the primary Augustus. When Valentinian
I and later Theodosius ascended the throne they each saw that the two halves had become so different from one
another that it was impractical to rule both effectively at once. What its citizens had until then viewed each other
as countrymen they now regarded more as associates and occasionally as rivals. Culturally, the two had parted
ways long before they had done so at a political level. And upon Theodosius‟s death the split became permanent
as his sons Honorius and Arcadius assumed the titles of Augustus and went on to rule their assigned halves
separately.
Numismatically, the Byzantine period is usually attributed as having started under the reign of Anastasius I who in
498 put into effect a complete overhaul of the currency system. Traditionally and up until this point the mint at
Rome served as the model for all other provincial mints and the major issues were carefully coordinated
throughout the empire so that a coin made in London appeared much the same as one from Alexandria. This
coordination and standardization facilitated commerce and lent credibility to the concept of a unified empire.
th th
However, as the importance of Rome‟s mint waned in the 4 century, and became downright trivial in the 5 ,
Constantinople took increasingly less concern over keeping in tune with Rome‟s way of producing currency. Little
by little Greek letters began replacing Latin ones and other design motifs became differentiated and acquired a
style more readily identifiable to Constantinople and its satellite mints. Within a century after Anastasius‟ reform
few of the quintessentially Roman conventions would remain untampered. Latin, perhaps the most pervasive and
tangible of Roman institutions, would be relegated to the language of religious scholars and political hopefuls but
would practically disappear from coin legends.
As has been pointed out above, the eastern and western halves of the empire had gone their own ways in a
cultural sense long before the formal partitioning. In fact, the east had always proven to be much more resistant to
Romanization than the west or Northern Africa. For much of the Roman imperial period the Greeks had been
allowed special concessions in striking their own money using Greek legends and implementing design elements
of local significance. When the western half finally collapsed the vestigial political hierarchy inherited from the
Romans continued under an infrastructure that would have been considered foreign to an ordinary Roman be he
contemporary or ancient. Thus the Byzantines retained the imperial legacy, incorporating even a nominal Senate,
but discarded most of the other cultural trappings one associates with the ancient Roman culture. And yet they still
identified with the Roman cachet and adopted its name, more often so than Greek, to distinguish themselves from
th th
outsiders. In an ironical twist, as the might of the Byzantines grew in the 6 and 7 centuries they were able to
recapture the Italian peninsula and proceeded to „Byzantify‟ their newly reconquered areas. The implementation of
many of these policies must have seemed wholly foreign to the Romans living there despite the occupiers claims
of a close kinship.
Once the two cultures deviated so much from one another, and these changes reflected on the coins being
covered, it would be improper to consider both cultures chronologically. Rather the previous section follows the
lineage of Honorius through Rome‟s downfall in 476 and the following short section introduces the Byzantine, or
rather proto-Byzantine one which begins neatly under Arcadius and closes with Anastasius I whose reform
precipitates new changes that deviate significantly from the more mainstream Roman coinage. However, it is
worth noting that while each successive Byzantine reign distances itself from its former Roman roots the coins
themselves continue to appear familiar for several centuries after to any student or collector of Roman coins.
570
Arcadius was given the title of Augustus when only six years of
Arcadius age. After his father Theodosius died in 395 he and his brother
Honorius remained the only emperors, Arcadius being the emperor
in the eastern half. It seems he spent his whole life ineffectually
Augustus 383-408 trying to rid himself of one regent after another who wielded the
true power. Even his wife Eudoxia has more on record for being
politically active and influential than he and, as a result, little of
what he personally desired came through amid all the background noise. He died in his early 30's of unknown
causes.
Busts:
2) Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust right, holding spear and shield; Hand of God above
5) Helmeted, diademed (pearls), cuirassed bust facing, holding spear and shield
6) Helmeted, diademed (rosettes), cuirassed bust facing, holding spear and shield
Obverses:
During the time Arcadius had coins minted in his name the Roman empire‟s
1) DN ARCADI AVG money making machinery began scaling back operations. In the span of
2) DN ARCADIVS PF AVG twenty years six mints had closed their doors for good and the coins
3) DN ARCADIVS PF AVGVSTVS
4) DN ARCDIVS PF AVG themselves were manufactured ever more shoddily.
Reverses: While coins in silver and gold still deserve some level of care in their
crafting, the bronzes, the people‟s coins so to speak, suffer the most. Sizes
1) CONCORDIA AVG shrink rapidly, the strikings are poor and off-center and the very chemical
2) CONCORDIA AVGG
3) CONCORDIA AVGGG makeup of the bronze has been compromised by the significant addition of
4) CONCORDIA AVGGGG lead and tin which made the coin more vulnerable to wear, warping and
6) GLORIA ROMANORVM
corrosion.
7) NOVA SPES REIPVBLICAE
8) SALVS REIPVBLICAE But there are still plenty of Arcadius‟ coins available. For gold a Solidus will
9) SPES REIPVBLICAE
10) TRIVMFATOR GENT BARB run about $500 for a common type. Silver is mostly represented by the
11) VICTORIA AVG Siliqua which is also fairly common but tough to find in mint condition. A
12) VICTORIA AVGG
13) VICTORIA AVGGG good one will cost between $100-$200. And there are many, many bronzes
14) VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM available from early in his reign which can often be bought for just a dollar
16) VIRTVS AVGGG
or two a piece.
17) VIRTVS EXERCITI
18) VIRTVS EXERCITVM A portrait type first introduced by Constantius II is reawakened in a big way
20) VIRTVS ROMANORVM by both Arcadius and Honorius. The image of the facing bust holding his
21) VOTA PLVRIA spear and shield must have so flattered these and following emperors that it
22) VRBS ROMA
23) VRBS ROMA FELIX remains in continuous use all the way into the eighth century. In fact, it is
24) No legend even used on the earliest coins of Theodosius II who was still a baby!
Types:
1) Arcadius advancing right, dragging captive and holding labarum
2) Arcadius and Honorius seated, facing, together holding shield reading VOT / XV / MVLT / XX; in between them cross above and palm below.
3) Arcadius and Theodosius seated, facing; in between them Victory above and palm below.
4) Arcadius riding horse right, raising hand
5) Arcadius riding oncoming chariot with six horses, raising hand and holding globe
6) Arcadius standing left on galley, stepping on captive, holding phoenix on globe and labarum; Victory seated to right, steering galley.
7) Arcadius standing left, holding spear and resting hand on shield, being crowned by Victory to right, holding palm.
8) Arcadius standing right, stepping on captive, holding labarum and globe
9) Arcadius standing right, stepping on captive, holding labarum and Victory on globe
10) Arcadius standing, facing, holding labarum and globe
11) Arcadius standing, facing, holding labarum and globe; seated captive to left.
12) Arcadius standing, facing, holding labarum and globe; seated captive to right.
13) Arcadius standing, facing, holding labarum and resting hand on shield; seated captive to left.
14) Arcadius standing, facing, holding labarum and Victory on globe; shield to right
15) Arcadius standing, facing, holding Victory on globe and labarum
16) Arcadius standing, facing, raising hand and holding globe.
17) Arcadius, Honorius and Theodosius II standing, facing, each holding spear and the two outer emperors also resting hand on shield
18) City gate with (2) turrets
19) City gate with (2) turrets, Christogram above
20) Constantinopolis seated, facing, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter and globe.
21) Constantinopolis seated, facing, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter and Victory on globe.
22) Constantinopolis seated, facing, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter and shield reading VOT / V / MVL / X
23) Constantinopolis seated, facing, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter and shield reading VOT / V / MVL T/ X
24) Constantinopolis seated, facing, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter and shield reading VOT / X / MVL / XV
25) Cross
571
26) Roma and Constantinopolis seated, facing, together holding shield reading VOT / X / MVLT / XX.
28) Roma standing, facing, holding trophy and Victory on globe.
29) Victories (2), facing each other, holding wreath.
30) Victory advancing forward, holding wreath and cross on globe
32) Victory advancing left, holding wreath and cross on globe
35) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / X / MVLT / XV; Genius to lower right also holding shield.
37) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VOT / X / MVLT / XX; Genius to lower right also holding shield.
38) Victory seated right, holding shield reading XX / XXX
39) Wreath, VOT / V within.
Mints:
1) Alexandria 7) Heraclea 13) Siscia
2) Antioch 8) Lugdunum 14) Sirmium
5) Constantinopolis 11) Ravenna
6) Cyzicus 12) Roma
1) B1, O2, R04, T20, M05 Exe: CONOB Officina at end of reverse legend RIC 46f (IX, Constantinopolis)
2) B1, O2, R13, T09, M09 Exe: M/D/COMOB RIC 35b (IX, Mediolanum)
4) B1, O2, R13, T09, M14 Exe: S/M/COMOB RIC 1 (X, Arcadius)
5) B3, O2, R03, T22, M05 Exe: CONOB Officina at end of reverse legend RIC 70c (IX, Constantinopolis)
6) B5, O2, R02, T21, M05 Exe: CONOB RIC 7 (X, Arcadius)
7) B5, O2, R02, T21, M15 Exe: COMOB RIC 37 (X, Arcadius)
8) B5, O2, R03, T21, M09 Exe: */COMOB RIC 39 (IX, Mediolanum)
AU Tremissis
11) B1, O2, R14, T32, M05 Exe: */COMOB RIC 34 (X, Arcadius)
AR Siliqua
13) B1, O2, R20, T27, M09 Exe: MDPS RIC 1227 (X, Honorius)
14) B1, O2, R22, T27, M08 Exe: LVGPS RIC 43c (IX, Lugdunum)
15) B1, O2, R24, T40, M05 Exe: CONS RIC 87b (IX, Constantinopolis)
AE2
16) B1, O2, R06, T10, M02 Exe: ANT` RIC 68c (IX, Antiochia)
17) B1, O2, R06, T10, M07 Exe: */SMH` RIC 27b (IX, Heraclea)
18) B1, O2, R17, T08, M02 Exe: ANT`
19) B1, O2, R17, T08, M06 Exe: SMK` RIC 25c (IX, Cyzicus)
20) B1, O3, R17, T08, M05 Exe: ¤/CONS`
21) B1, O3, R17, T08, M05 Exe: ¢/CONS`
22) B2, O2, R06, T13, M05 Exe: CON` RIC 53a (IX, Constantinopolis)
23) B2, O2, R06, T13, M05 Exe: CON`*
24) B2, O2, R06, T13, M06 Exe: SMK` RIC 15 (IX, Cyzicus)
25) B2, O2, R06, T13, M07 Exe: T /SMH` RIC 22 (IX, Heraclea)
AE3
26) B1, O2, R06, T01, M13 Exe: `SISC RIC 38c (IX, Siscia)
27) B1, O2, R06, T01, M15 Exe: TES
28) B1, O2, R06, T17, M02 Exe: AN` * behind bust RIC 151 (X, Arcadius)
29) B1, O2, R06, T17, M06 Exe: SMK` * behind bust
30) B1, O2, R16, T06, M15 Exe: `/TES RIC 61c (IX, Thessalonica)
32) B1, O2, R17, T07, M06 Exe: SMK` RIC 66 (X, Arcadius)
33) B1, O2, R17, T07, M10 Exe: SMN` RIC 62 (X, Arcadius)
34) B1, O2, R17, T08, M05 Exe: ¢/CONS` RIC 83c (IX, Constantinopolis), L 2173
35) B1, O2, R17, T08, M07 Exe: •SMH` RIC 24c (IX, Heraclea)
36) B1, O4, R23, T14, M12 Exe: OF/`/SMROM
39) B5, O2, R02, T21, M06 Exe: SMK` RIC 94 (X, Arcadius), L 2586
40) B5, O2, R02, T21, M10 Exe: SMN` RIC 91 (X, Arcadius), L 2442
41) B6, O2, R02, T21, M02 Exe: ANT` RIC 98 (X, Arcadius)
572
AE4 Reference(s)
42) B1, O2, R01, T25, M05 Exe: CONS RIC 119 (X, Arcadius)
44) B1, O2, R03, T25, M07 Exe: SMH` RIC 123 (X, Arcadius)
45) B1, O2, R05, T18, M15 Exe: `/TES RIC 62c (IX, Thessalonica)
46) B1, O2, R05, T18, M15 Exe: TES RIC 62c (IX, Thessalonica)
47) B1, O2, R08, T31, M02 Exe: ¤/ANT`
48) B1, O2, R08, T31, M02 Exe: ¤/ANT` RIC 67a (IX, Antiochia)
49) B1, O2, R08, T31, M03 Exe: ¤/AQ` RIC 1237 (X, Honorius)
50) B1, O2, R08, T31, M05 Exe: ¤/CONS` RIC 86c (IX, Constantinopolis)
51) B1, O2, R08, T31, M05 Exe: CONS` RIC 86c (IX, Constantinopolis), L 2193
52) B1, O2, R08, T31, M06 Exe: ¤/SMK` RIC 26c (IX, Cyzicus)
54) B1, O2, R13, T33, M13 Exe: `SIS RIC 39d (IX, Siscia)
55) B1, O2, R24, T39, M05 Exe: CON` RIC 62b (IX, Constantinopolis)
56) B1, O2, R24, T39, M07 Exe: •SMH` RIC 18b.4 (IX, Heraclea)
57) B1, O2, R24, T39, M07 Exe: SMH` RIC 18b.1 (IX, Heraclea)
58) B1, O2, R24, T39, M10 Exe: SMN` RIC 37c (IX, Nicomedia)
59) B1, O2, R24, T39, M13 Exe: `SIS• RIC 36 (IX, Siscia)
60) B1, O2, R24, T40, M02 Exe: ANT` RIC 65c (IX, Antioch), L 2735
573
Arcadius Busts
Arcadius Types
574
Wife The wife of Arcadius, Eudoxia had no desire to

Eudoxia remain in the political background that was expected of
an empress. Instead, she thoroughly dominated not only
the will of Arcadius (who was, incidentally, content to
b.380 – d.404 relax well out of the limelight) but also play an active role
in the political issues of the day and the religious ones
as well. In this light she was resented by many who saw
her self-acquired role unwelcome and was denounced as arrogant and materialistic. Those who had the nerve to
condemn her could always count on swift retribution on her orders and this only served to further alienate those
who weren't on her "good side". Honorius himself was said to complain to his brother Arcadius about the situation
but the eastern emperor apparently never took any steps to suppress his wife's activities.
Despite the negative view of her that has survived it seems apparent that she took advantage of her imperial
position to live life to its fullest as she saw fit without regard for keeping appearances.
She died at the age of only 21 due to complications following childbirth.
Busts:
Appearing every now and then among “uncleaned”
Roman coins, Eudoxia ranks about fourth most
th th
2) Diademed, draped bust right, being crowned by Hand of God common empresses among the 4 - and 5 -century
coins. This would be behind Helena, Fausta, Galeria
Obverses: Valeria and, perhaps, Aelia Flaccilla none of whom
had very extensive coin runs despite being in
1) AEL EVDIXIA AVG otherwise very prolific minting periods.
2) AEL EVDOXIA AVG
Reverses: It is often possible to identify her bronzes even when

the obverse details have been obliterated or worn
1) GLORIA ROMANORVM smooth because the reverses are unique to her during
3) VIRTVS EXERCITI this period.
4) No legend
Types: The silver and gold coins will be much rarer and
valuable. The by now venerable Tremissis will be the
1) Arcadius standing left, holding spear and resting hand on shield; most often found denomination. Relative to the entire
being crowned by Victory, holding palm. output of Solidi for these years, these small coins
2) Eudoxia seated, facing
3) Victory seated right, holding shield with Chi-Rho design featured empresses much more frequently.
4) Victory seated right, holding shield with Chi-Rho design on column
6) Wreath, cross within One such Tremissis will still cost a few hundred
dollars with $1,000 not being uncommon. Being rather
Mints: thin and flimsy they tend to have slight bends and
scratches. Of course, the flawless coin will fetch the
1) Alexandria
2) Antioch
highest prices at auction.
3) Constantinopolis
4) Cyzicus
5) Nicomedia An “entry-level” bronze need only cost around $20.
1) B2, O2, R2, T4, M3 Exe: CONOB Officina at end of reverse legend RIC 14 (X, Arcadius)
AU Tremissis
2) B1, O2, R4, T6, M3 Exe: CON RIC 21 (X, Arcadius)

3) B1, O2, R4, T6, M3 Exe: CONOB*
AR Miliarense
4) B1, O2, R4, T6, M3 Exe: CONS RIC 46 (X, Arcadius)
AE3
5) B2, O2, R1, T2, M1 Exe: ¢/ALE` RIC 84 (X, Arcadius), L 2926
575
6) B2, O2, R1, T2, M2 Exe: ¢/ANT` RIC 83 (X, Arcadius), L 2805
7) B2, O2, R1, T2, M3 Exe: ¢/CONS` RIC 77 (X, Arcadius), L 2218
8) B2, O2, R1, T2, M4 Exe: ¢/SMK` RIC 81 (X, Arcadius), L 2593
10) B2, O2, R2, T4, M3 Exe: CONS` RIC 101 (X, Arcadius), L 2210
Eudoxia Busts
Eudoxia Types
A fervent Christian, the daughter of Arcadius spent the

Pulcheria greater portion of her life working for the early Christian
church and using her imperial title to this end. When
Arcadius died prematurely in 408 she was left in de facto
b.399 – d.453 charge over the empire as her brother, Theodosius II
was still a minor. At the time he married, however,
Eudocia, demanded that she withdraw from her high-profile public role. While still keeping her title and retinue,
she spent the next several decades in Alexandria continuing her work in the church. She returned to
Constantinople upon the death of Theodosius at which time she presided over the succession of Marcian to whom
she agreed to marry symbolically in an act to legitimize his accession.
Busts:
Curiously, in the case of a few emperors and empresses, their
2) Diademed, draped bust right, being crowned by Hand of precious metal coinage is more common than bronzes.
God Considering that at one point the official tariff of a single Solidus
was an extraordinary 7,200 AE4‟s (or more properly, Nummi) one
Obverse: might be forgiven for thinking that this would mean they would be
available literally thousands of times more so.
1) AEL PVLCHERIA AVG
Reverses: No chance. In the case of Pulcheria there are a few bronze coins
attributed to her but they are downright rare and seldom offered for
1) CONCORDIA AVG sale. Taking into account the fact that her husband reigned for
3) VOT XX MVLT XXX nearly half a century and then survived him and went on to
4) VOT XXX MVLT XXXX become Marcian‟s wife as well (both of whom struck truly
5) CONCORDIA AVG
prodigious amounts of these small bronzes) the only explanation is
7) No legend that they must have been rare in her day as well. Most Pulcherias
therefore will be of the usual gold and silver denominations without
Types: much variety in terms of reverse types or legends.
1) Constantinopolis seated left, holding cross on globe and
scepter; shield to side. Prices start at about an even $1,000 for your average Tremissis
2) Pulcheria seated, facing, crossing arms over chest. and about twice that for a Solidus. The good news is that they‟re
3) Victory seated right, holding shield with Chi-Rho design.
4) Victory standing left, holding cross rather plentiful if you can afford them.
576
Mints:
1) Constantinopolis
2) Thessalonica
1) B2, O1, R2, T3 Exe: CONOB RIC 205 (X, Theodosius II)
4) B2, O1, R6, T1 Exe: */COMOB RIC 295 (X, Theodosius II0
AU Semissis
5) B1, O1, R7, T6 Exe: CONOB* RIC 211 (X, Theodosius II)
AU Tremissis
AR Miliarense
7) B1, O1, R7, T6 Exe: •CON*•
AR Siliqua
8) B1, O1, R7, T7 Exe: CONS* RIC 383 (X, Theodosius II)
AE3
9) B1, O1, R1, T2 Exe: CONS RIC 427 (X, Theodosius II), L 2228
Pulcheria Busts
Pulcheria Types
577
Staying at the post of Roman emperor for a remarkable 48 years,

Theodosius II equivalent to a dozen U.S. presidential terms, Theodosius II set
remarkably few other records in all this time. He was the last
emperor to rule both east and west halves, albeit briefly, after the
Augustus 402-450 death of Honorius and before the puppet emperor Johannes came
onto the scene. As for his own achievements, he wasn't much
more than a figurehead ensconced in his palace. His sister
Pulcheria took the active role in steering the empire. He died a few days after a hunting accident.
Busts: Theodosius II is one of the less challenging to find emperors of the

fifth century. As mentioned under the heading for Arcadius, as the
1) Diademed bust left, wearing consular robes, holding
mappa and scepter with crossed tip economy of the empire began crumbling there was little incentive
2) Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust left to create money for a dysfunctional marketplace and meager
4) Helmeted, diademed, cuirassed bust facing, holding resources to do so in any case. And the average citizen who
spear and shield. bought and sold goods used not precious coinage by now but, if
5) Helmeted, diademed, cuirassed bust right, holding
shield and spear
they used coins at all, the small near-worthless coppers the
government made which today we classify as AE4‟s
Obverses:
Almost all of these coins from now until halfway into the reign of
1) DN TEODOSIVS PF AVG Anastasius will measure somewhere between 4-12mm in diameter.
2) DN THEODOSIVS PF AVG They are almost never found with full legends nor full anything for
that matter. For this reason most, sadly, are unattributable as found
Reverses: when recovered or even after careful restoration. The easiest ones
to ID will be those that make use of monograms unique to each
1) ADVENTVSS DN AVG
2) CONCORDIA AGV emperor (or empress).
3) CONCORDIA AVG
4) CONCORDIA AVGG
5) CONCORDIA AVGGG Even in a poor state these tiny coins are prized by collectors today
6) FELICITER NVBTIIS as long as they can be attributed. Theodosius II is the first emperor
7) GLOR ORVIS TERRAR
who finally cuts off production of the larger AE3‟s in favor of the
9) GLORIA ROMANORVM AE4. With very few exceptions this will be the case for the
10) IMP XXXXII COS XVII PP remainder of the century. While not unique to his reign, his AE4‟s
11) IMP XXXXIIII COS XVIII
12) SALVS ORIENTIS FELICITAS OCCIDENTIS will often feature a simple Christian cross within a wreath as the
13) SALVS REIPVBLICAE reverse design. Depending solely on condition, one of these can
14) SALVS REIPVBLICE
15) SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE cost anywhere from $5 to over $100.
16) VICTORIA AVGG
17) VICTORIA AVGGG
Many collectors will find that their first ancient Roman gold coin
19) VICTORIA ROMANORVM purchase will be of Theodosius II or one of his contemporaries.
20) VIRT EXERC ROM These are so widely available that they almost come close to
21) VOT XX MVLT XXX
22) VOT XXX MVLT XXXX becoming a commodity. In today‟s market a near-mint state
23) VRBS ROMA Solidus of this reign should cost somewhere between $350 and
24) VRTVS ROMANORVM
25) No legend $600 and are actively traded on eBay as well as the inventories of
most major dealers.
Types:
1) Constantinopolis seated left, stepping on galley prow, holding cross on globe and scepter.
3) Constantinopolis seated, facing, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter and shield reading X / VOT / XX
4) Constantinopolis seated, facing, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter and Victory on globe.
5) Cross
6) Monogram
7) Roma and Constantinopolis seated, facing, each holding a Victory on globe and scepter.
8) Roma and Constantinopolis seated, facing, each holding a scepter and together shield reading VOT / XV / MVL / XX
9) Roma seated left, holding Victory on globe and cross.
11) Theodosius II advancing right, dragging captive and holding trophy
12) Theodosius II and Honorius standing, facing, each holding a spear and resting hand on shield between them
13) Theodosius II and Valentinian III seated, facing, each holding a mappa and cross; star above
14) Theodosius II and Valentinian III standing, facing, each holding spear and resting hand on shield.
15) Theodosius II and Valentinian III standing, facing, each holding spear and together holding a globe.
16) Theodosius II and Valentinian III standing, facing, each holding spear and together holding cross
17) Theodosius II and Valentinian III standing, facing, holding mappa and cross.
18) Theodosius II riding horse left, raising hand.
19) Theodosius II seated facing on left, holding mappa and cross next to Valentinian III standing to right, holding mappa and cross; star above
20) Theodosius II seated, facing, holding mappa and cross
21) Theodosius II standing, facing, holding labarum and Christogram on globe.
22) Theodosius II standing, facing, holding labarum and cross on globe
23) Theodosius II standing, facing, holding spear and resting hand on shield.
578
24) Theodosius II standing, facing, raising hand and holding globe
25) Theodosius II, Honorius and Arcadius standing, facing, each holding a spear and resting arm on shield
26) Trophy
27) Valentinian III and Licinia Eudoxia seated, facing, holding hands.
28) Victory advancing forward, holding a wreath in each hand.
30) Victory advancing left, holding trophy and dragging captive
33) Victory seated right, holding shield reading X / XXV on lap
34) Victory seated right, holding shield reading X / XXX on lap
35) Victory seated right, holding shield reading X / XXXV on lap
36) Victory seated right, holding shield reading XV / XXX on lap
37) Victory seated right, holding shield reading XX / XXX on lap
38) Victory seated right, holding shield reading XXX / XXXX on lap
40) Victory standing right, stepping on captive, holding standard and Victory on globe.
42) Wreath, VOT / MVLT / XXXX within
46) Wreath, VOT / XXX within
47) Wreath, VOT / XXXV / MVLT / XXXX within
48) Wreath, VT / XXX / V within
Mints:
1) Alexandria 5) Cyzicus 9) Ravenna

2) Antioch 6) Heraclea 10) Roma
1) B3, O2, R01, T18, M04 Exe: */CONOB 1-½ Solidi weight
AU Solidus
2) B4, O2, R04, T04, M04 Exe: */CONOB Officina at end of reverse legend RIC 202 (X, Theodosius II)
4) B4, O2, R07, T22, M11 Exe: */TESOB RIC 361 (X, Theodosius II)
5) B4, O2, R07, T22, M11 Exe: */TESOB• RIC 365 (X, Theodosius II)
9) B4, O2, R13, T19, M04 Exe: CONOB RIC 234 (X, Theodosius II)
AU Semissis
17) B3, O2, R17, T35, M04 Exe: */¤/CONOB RIC 331 (X, Theodosius II)
18) B3, O2, R17, T37, M04 Exe: */¡/CONOB RIC 223 (X, Theodosius II)
AU Tremissis
20) B3, O2, R25, T26, M04 Exe: */*/CONOB RIC 333 (X, Theodosius II)
AR Miliarense
22) B3, O2, R09, T23, M04 Exe: */COM RIC 392 (X, Theodosius II)
AR Siliqua
24) B3, O2, R25, T42, M04 Exe: CONS* RIC 389 (X, Theodosius II)
25) B3, O2, R25, T45, M04 Exe: CONS* RIC 381 (X, Theodosius II)
AE2
26) B5, O2, R02, T16, M04 Exe: CONS RIC 460 (X, Theodosius II), L 2231
579
AE3 Reference(s)
AE4
30) B3, O2, R03, T28, M05 Exe: SMK` RIC 437 (X, Theodosius II), L 2602
31) B3, O2, R03, T28, M06 Exe: SMH` RIC 431 (X, Theodosius II), L 2002
32) B3, O2, R04, T05, M01 Exe: ALE` RIC 122 (X, Arcadius), L 2922
33) B3, O2, R09, T12, M06 Exe: SMH` * behind bust RIC 398 (X, Theodosius II), L 2001
34) B3, O2, R09, T12, M11 Exe: TES` * behind bust RIC 396 (X, Theodosius II), L 1877
35) B3, O2, R09, T25, M01 Exe: ALE` * behind bust RIC 159 (X, Arcadius)
36) B3, O2, R25, T06, M04
37) B3, O2, R25, T41, M04 Exe: CONS RIC 444 (X, Theodosius II), L 2239
38) B3, O2, R25, T41, M05 Exe: SMK` RIC 449 (X, Theodosius II)
39) B3, O2, R25, T30, M10 Exe: `/RM RIC 1915 (X, Johannes), L 831
580
Theodosius II Busts
Theodosius II Types
Wife of Theodosius II. Remembered for an active role in
Eudocia the early Christian church.
b.393 – d.460
581
Busts:
Eudocia, Eudoxia… what a difference a letter can
1) Diademed, draped bust right make! While Eudoxia may be found routinely among
2) Diademed, draped bust right; being crowned by Hand of God
the bronzes those of Eudocia are rarer than her own
gold coins which are not exactly common to begin
Obverse: with.
1) AEL EVDOCIA AVG
Of these, her Tremisses are the most plentiful and
Reverses: can be bought anywhere from $500 to $1,500 and
nearly all survive in near-mint condition as far as
1) CONCORDIA AVG wear goes. However, they are often scratched or
3) SALVSREIPVBLICAE slightly bent; one can presume damage done during
4) VOT XX MVLT XXX the course of informal assaying at the market square.
6) No legend
Types:
1) Constantinopolis seated left, holding cross on globe and scepter

2) Eudocia seated, facing, crossing arms across chest.
3) Victory standing left, holding cross; star above
Mint:
1) Constantinopolis
1) B1, O1, R3, T2 Exe: */CONOB Two Solidi weight RIC 281 (X, Theodosius II)
AU Solidus
3) B2, O1, R5, T1 Exe: */CONOB RIC 262 (X, Theodosius II)
AU Tremissis
AR Siliqua
5) B1, O1, R6, T5 Exe: CONS* RIC 388 (X, Theodosius II)
AE3
6) B1, O1, R1, T1 Exe: CONS RIC 428 (X, Theodosius II)
Eudocia Busts
Eudocia Types
582
Marcian succeeded Theodosius II upon the emperor's

Marcian accidental death. It appears a commander by the name of
Arbadur was key in securing the post for Marcian and
convinced Pulcheria, Theodosius's widow, to not only confirm
Augustus 450-457 the nomination but also become his nominal wife, a purely
political relationship that was only to strengthen the legitimacy
of Marcian's claim to the throne. They would lead separate
lives from then on. Marcian proved a capable manager for the eastern seat of the empire and died without incident
in 457 of old age.
Busts:
Marcian is one of the more commonly found
1) Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right Eastern Roman emperors. He ranks fourth behind
2) Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust left
3) Helmeted, diademed, cuirassed bust facing, holding shield and spear.
Anastasius, Theodosius II and Leo I.
Obverses: There are basically just two types of coins that will
turn up often in the marketplace; the gold Solidus
1) DN MARCIANO PF A and the teeny AE4‟s often called Nummi. The
2) DN MARCIANO PF AV former are a little scarcer than those of the other
3) DN MARCIANVS P AV
4) DN MARCIANVS PERP AVG three emperors named above but not much more
5) DN MARCIANVS PF expensive and all of them follow the same rather
6) DN MARCIANVS PF AV
7) DN MARCIANVS PF AVG banal themes and portraiture styles.
Reverses: The AE4‟s are almost always identified thanks to

the large monograms on the reverses which are
1) ADVENTVS DN AVG unique to each emperor. The legends almost
2) FELICITER NVBTIIS
3) GLOR ORVIS TERRAR
always are unreadable except for maybe two or
4) GLORIA ROMANORVM three letters. Luckily, these coinis are often found
5) VICTORIA AVGGG for less than $100 but, be warned, they are almost
7) VOT XXX MVLT XXXX never very well preserved nor attractive items.
8) No legend
Types:
2) Marcian and Pulcheria seated, facing, holdings hands; Christ above and between them.
3) Marcian riding horse left, raising hand
4) Marcian standing, facing, holding labarum and cross on globe.
5) Marcian standing, facing, holding spear and resting hand on shield
6) Marcian standing, facing, stepping on snake, holding cross and Victory on globe
8) Victory seated right, holding shield reading XV / XXX on lap.
11) Wreath, monogram I within
12) Wreath, monogram II within
13) Wreath, monogram III within
14) Wreath, SAL / REI / PVI within
15) Wreath, VOT / MVLT / XXXX within
Mints:
1) Antioch
2) Cyzicus
3) Heraclea
4) Mediolanum
5) Nicomedia
6) Ravenna
7) Thessalonica
1) B2, O7, R5, T06 Exe: R/V/CONOB RIC 2301 (X, Western)
2) B3, O7, R5, T09 Exe: */CONOB RIC 510 (X, Eastern)
AU Tremissis
3) B1, O7, R6, T07 Exe: */CONOB RIC 518 (X, Eastern)
583
AR Miliarense Reference(s)
4) B1, O7, R4, T05 Exe: */CON RIC 526 (X, Eastern)
AR Siliqua
5) B1, O7, R8, T15 Exe: CONS* RIC 528 (X, Eastern)
AE4
6) B1, O2, R8, T12 Exe: CHES * Above monogram RIC 536 (X, Eastern), L 1880
7) B1, O6, R8, T11 Exe: NIC ¡ Above monogram
8) B1, O7, R8, T11 Exe: CON ¡ Above monogram RIC 545 (X, Eastern), L 2250
9) B1, O7, R8, T11 Exe: CON RIC 543 (X, Eastern), L 2249
10) B1, O7, R8, T13 Exe: SMK` RIC 560 (X, Eastern)
Marcian Busts
Marcian Types
584
Leo was a Thracian soldier who gained enough clout fighting for
Leo I the armies of Marcian that upon his death he was able to secure
the throne. Leo mounted only one major military campaign and it
was against the Vandals in Northern Africa. The naval invasion
Augustus 457-474 fleet was decimated by the forces of Gaiseric and the unfavorable
conclusion of this battle marks the final Roman attempt to recover
this key region. The rest of Leo's career was taken up handling the
blessing and vetoing of the many puppet emperors during the last years of the West as well as handling various
other foreign and domestic matters. Much of Leo's reign was weakened if not outright dominated by several
military leaders. He died in 474 of advanced age and was succeeded by his grandson Leo II.
Busts:
1) Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust left With the exception of some pretty rare coins that fall into the
2) Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust right AE3 and AE2 class of bronzes, Leo sees nothing wrong with
4) Diademed, bust left, wearing consular robes, holding continuing half a century of numismatic ennui and recycles
mappa and cross the same portraits and the same old reverses of his political
5) Helmeted, diademed, cuirassed bust facing, holding spear
over shoulder and shield ancestors that would go on for another half century or more
before finally running their courses.
Obverses:
The system is pretty straightforward. On the Solidus the
1) DN LEO portrait will be the emperor‟s facing bust dressed in the
2) DN LEO PE AVG
3) DN LEO PER AVG combat gear of the day along with his trusty diadem on the
4) DN LEO PERPET helmet. The smaller gold denominations along with the silver
5) DN LEO PERPET AG and bronzes will feature the more traditional profile bust.
6) DN LEO PERPET AV
7) DN LEO PERPET AVG
8) DN LEO PERPETV AVG Silver has by now long disappeared except on rare
9) DN LEO PERPETVVS AVG
10) DN LEO PF AVG occasions. These will be invariably more expensive than the
11) DN LEO PF AVGO fairly common Solidi which usually go for around $500 a
12) DN LEO PRPET AG
13) DN LEO PRTE AVG
piece. A high-grade bronze will also fetch top dollar,
14) DN LEON PERP AVG especially if it‟s one of those rare AE3‟s or AE2‟s mentioned
15) DN LEON VG above. And the cheapest coins will be the low-grade but
16) DN LEONIS PF R AVG
17) DN LEONIS PP A AVG fairly common AE4‟s featuring one of the several different
18) DN LEONIS PP AVG monograms designed for him. These can sometimes be
19) DN LEONS PF AVG
20) DN LEOS PF AVG found among uncleaned coins or by sale at around $20-$40
21) DN ΛEONS PF AVG each.
Reverses: Speaking of the monogram, these interesting designs are
1) GLORIA ROMANORVM
born from the need to identify the ruler at a glance since the
2) GLORORVS TERRRAL small size of the coins they are struck on prevent easy
3) SALVS REIPVBLICAE identification. Their aim is to compress the ruler‟s name into
4) SALVS REIRVBLICAE C
5) SALVS RPVBLICA a single symbol which includes all the letters in his name. Or
6) SALVS RPVRLCA at least try to. For Leo the celator obviously had a much less
7) VICTORIA AVGG
8) VICTORIA AVGGG
challenging task than, say, Basiliscus!
11) VIRTVS AVGVSTI
12) VIRTVS EXERCITI
14) No legend
Types:
1) Leo I and Leo II seated, facing, with cross in between; star above each of them.
2) Leo I seated, facing, holding mappa and cross
3) Leo I standing right, stepping on captive, holding labarum and globe
4) Leo I standing, facing, holding cross and resting hand on kneeling captive.
5) Leo I standing, facing, holding cross on globe and labarum
6) Leo I standing, facing, holding spear and resting hand on shield.
7) Leo I standing, facing, raising hand and holding globe.
8) Leo I standing, facing, stepping on snake, holding cross and Victory on globe
9) Monogram I
10) Monogram II
11) Roma and Constantinopolis seated, facing, each holding Victory on globe and scepter; cross between them.
12) Verina standing, facing, holding cross on globe and scepter; b E across fields
585
15) Victory seated right, holding shield reading XVXXX
16) Victory seated right, holding shield reading XXV
17) Victory seated right, holding shield reading XXXX
21) Wreath, lion seated left within.
22) Wreath, lion seated left within; cross atop.
23) Wreath, lion standing left within; star above.
24) Wreath, lion standing right within; star above.
25) Wreath, SAL / REI / PVI within (letters usually very garbled)
26) Wreath, VOT / XXXV / MVLT / XXXX within
Mints:
1) Alexandria 6) Mediolanum
4) Cyzicus 9) Roma
5) Heraclea 10) Thessalonica
1) B4, O07, R08, T02, M10 Exe: */THSOB RIC X 620

2) B5, O07, R04, T01, M03 Exe: CONOB RIC X 638
3) B5, O07, R08, T18, M03 Exe: */CONOB Officina at end of reverse legend RIC X 605
4) B5, O07, R08, T18, M10 Exe: */*/TESOB RIC X 618
AU Tremissis
5) B2, O07, R09, T13, M03 Exe: */CONOB RIC X 611
AR Miliarense
6) B1, O07, R01, T07, M03 Exe: */CON RIC X 644

7) B2, O07, R01, T07, M03 Exe: */CON RIC X 641
AR Siliqua
8) B2, O07, R14, T25, M03 Exe: CONS* RIC X 648
AR ½ Siliqua
9) B2, O06, R14, T25, M03 Exe: CONS* RIC X 650
AE3
10) B2, O07, R05, T03, M03 Exe: CON RIC X 660
AE4
12) B2, O01, R14, T04, M03 Exe: */CN RIC X 703, L 2268
13) B2, O01, R14, T04, M03 RIC X 704, L 2269
14) B2, O01, R14, T10, M03 Exe: KOC RIC X 720, L 2270
15) B2, O01, R14, T12, M03 RIC X 715, L 2272
17) B2, O04, R14, T09, M03 RIC X 680
18) B2, O04, R14, T12, M03 RIC X 718, L 2274
19) B2, O10, R14, T09, M03 RIC X 684
20) B2, O10, R14, T21, M03 Exe: CON RIC X 674, L 2260
21) B2, O21, R14, T09, M03 RIC X 686, L 2263
586
Leo I Busts
Leo I Types
587
Wife of Leo I, sister of Basiliscus and mother of Ariadne.
Verina Verina would play a key role in the ousting of Zeno and
then her brother Basiliscus. Probably to cover up a
scandalous affair and political advantage she turned
against Basiliscus to support her former enemy Zeno
? - d.488? who had been in exile. Zeno mistrusted her even though
her aid was crucial in his reinstatement and had her
exiled. Because she probably felt betrayed she once
again turned against him and supported the failed coup of Leontius. She apparently lost her life during the
usurper's siege.
Busts:
Save for an AE4 of Leo I‟s which depicts her effigy
1) Diademed, draped bust right on the reverse, Verina‟s coins are all ridiculously
2) Diademed, draped bust right, being crowned by Hand of God rare and expensive.
Obverse: As is typical for the period, a few bronzes were

struck in her name. What is unusual is that these
1) AEL VERINA AVG
are rather large in comparison to the tiny coins
Reverses: being made in copper. But, really, this is all
academic since they for the most part do not
1) SALVS REIPVBLICAE circulate in the market.
2) SALVS REPVBLICAE
3) VICTORIA AVGGG
4) No legend The Leo AE4 mentioned above is sometimes to
be found for a few dollars each but are almost
Types: always in a very sorry state of preservation. The
best bet to find a “real” coin of Verina will be a
1) Victory seated right, holding shield with Chi-Rho on column
Tremissis for two or three thousand dollars. That
3) Wreath, cross within is, if a dealer can locate one at all.
Mint:
1) Constantinopolis
1) B2, O1, R3, T2 Exe: */CONOB Officina at end of reverse legend RIC 607 (X, Leo I)
AU Tremissis
2) B2, O1, R4, T3 Exe: CONOB RIC 614 (X, Leo I)
AE3
3) B2, O1, R1, T1 Exe: CON` RIC 655 (X, Leo I), L 2253
4) B2, O1, R2, T1 Exe: CON` RIC 656 (X, Leo I), L 2253
Verina Busts Verina Types

588
Leo II was the child grandson of Leo by the marriage of his

Leo II daughter Ariadne and his favorite general Tarasicodissa (later
Zeno). When Leo I died, Leo II was still only five or six years old
and thus a regent was necessary. To this end, just three weeks
Augustus 474 later his own father, Zeno, assumed co-emperorship with him and
the two ruled jointly until Leo's own death later in the year of an
unidentified illness left Zeno to rule by himself.
Bust:
Only a large bank account and a small miracle are needed in
2) Helmeted, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust facing order to find one of these coins. Leo II enjoyed a reign
measured in days over 1,500 years ago. Constantinople only
Obverse: had time to make a handful coins during this brief period.
1) DN LEO ET ZENO PP AVG Because his name was the same of that of his predecessor and
2) DN LEO PERPET AVG
3) DN LEO ZENO PP AVG
the coin portraits mere effigies one could make the argument
that there is no way to be certain that the coins presently
Reverses: attributed to his sole reign were beyond a doubt made for him.
1) SALVS REIPVBLICAE Curiously, the western emperor Julius Nepos rose to power
2) VICTORIA AVGGG while Leo II and his father Zeno were by then ruling jointly. For
reasons that remain unclear, Nepos struck a few of his own
Types: coins honoring Leo II but leaving Zeno‟s name off. While there
seems to be no political motive for the snub, back in
1) Leo II and Zeno seated, facing, each holding a mappa; star Constantinople the standard practice had been to have both
and cross above names on every coin issued. So at least technically, those
2) Leo II standing, facing, holding cross on globe.
3) Victory advancing forward, holding wreath and cross on globe coins minted in Italy during this time could be considered the
4) Victory standing left, holding cross only ones in the name of Leo II alone.
Mints: Unfortunately for you, those coins are hardly any less rare!
However, there are many coins of his along with his father
1) Constantinopolis
2) Roma
which are much more common and cost from a few hundred
dollars each to a couple thousand or so.
2) B2, O2, R2, T4, M2 Exe: */COMOB RIC X 3203
3) B2, O1, R1, T1, M1 Exe: CONOB RIC X 803
4) B2, O3, R1, T1, M1 Exe: CONOB
AU Tremissis
Leo II Busts
Leo II Types
589
Zeno was an Eastern emperor during the waning days of the

Zeno empire. His career was recorded through a series of endless plots
against him which failed to oust him from power entirely. Indeed,
he even served as emperor-in-exile during a revolt that briefly saw
Augustus 474-491 Basiliscus rise to the throne in 475. He eventually recaptured the
throne himself to resume a rocky relationship with the Western half
of the empire as well as frequent domestic problems of every sort.
Following the favorable resolution of the Basiliscus affair he had ample time as well to watch the final collapse of
the Western half of the empire. As he had no resources to contend with the Germanic tribesmen who were
exerting ever more control over the former empire, he could do little more than accept the inevitable outcome.
Although this made him nominally ruler of the entire Roman empire after the death of Julius Nepos in 480, in
practice he held no sway at all in any of the former Roman provinces. In the end, one of his most remarkable feats
was the very fact that he was able to survive for so long in this strife-ridden age.
Busts:
1) Diademed (pearls), draped and bearded bust left, holding mappa and scepter Zeno continues the currency policies of his
2) Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust right political ancestors. He will introduce no new
3) Helmeted, diademed, cuirassed bust facing, holding spear and shield
4) Helmeted, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right denominations, designs or any sort of
5) Laureate head right alterations beyond the ZENO on the legends
where appropriate. As far as he was concerned,
Obverses: if it ain‟t broke, well, don‟t go breaking it.
1) DN ZENO ET LEO NOV CAES
2) DN ZENO ET LIEO NOV CAES
As was the case with Leo and Marcian before
3) DN ZENO N PE AG him, the Solidus is easily available today for
4) DN ZENO N PE VG around $400-$600 each and Tremisses for
5) DN ZENO PEPR AVG
6) DN ZENO PER F AVG about half that much. As was not the case with
7) DN ZENO PERP AVG those two, however, bronzes have become
8) DN ZENO PERP F AV
9) DN ZENO PERP F AVG rarer. Or, that is, rarer to find in a state that
10) DN ZENO PERPE AVG allows for positive identification. The one saving
11) DN ZENO PERPET AVG
12) DN ZENO PERT AVG
grace is that Zeno, too, had a monogram for use
13) DN ZENO PF AV on his own AE4‟s which, thanks to their nature,
14) IMP ZENO SEMPER AVG make attribution considerably easier. You might
15) INP ZEMP FELICISSIMO SEN AVG
as well forget about trying to get one that has
Reverses: readable legends though. Those are truly rare in
that sort of condition and when offered for sale
1) CONCORDIA P will easily rival the gold coins in cost.
2) GLORIA ROMANORO
3) GLORORVS TERRAR
4) INVICTA ROMA
5) SALVS REIPVBLICE
6) VICTORIA AVGG
7) VICTORIA AVGGG
8) VICTORIA AVGVSTORIVM
10) VOT XX MVLT XX
11) No legend
Types:
1) Constantinopolis standing left, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter and cornucopia
2) Eagle perched on branch, cross above
3) Legend SE CN
4) Monogram I
5) Monogram II
7) Victory advancing left, holding labarum and dragging captive
9) Victory advancing right, holding wreath and trophy.
10) Victory seated right, holding shield reading VXX; cuirass to left
11) Victory seated right, holding shield reading XXXV; cuirass to left
12) Victory standing left on globe, holding wreath and palm.
14) Victory standing right, holding cross.
17) Wreath, SE CN within.
18) Wreath, SRI / REI / RVL within
19) Wreath, TOV/VIMV/MTI within.
590
20) Wreath, Victory advancing left, holding wreath and dragging captive within. Type also features vestigial legend approximating DN LEON AVG
21) Wreath, VOT / VMTI / LTIS within
22) Zeno seated, facing, holding mappa and scepter with crossed tip.
23) Zeno standing right, holding cross and globe
24) Zeno standing right, stepping on captive, holding labarum and globe
25) Zeno standing, facing, holding labarum and cross on globe.
26) Zeno standing, facing, holding spear and resting hand on shield.
Mints:
3) Cyzicus 7) Roma
4) Mediolanum 8) Thessalonica
1) B3, O07, R07, T13, M2 Exe: */CONOB Officina at end of reverse legend RIC X 905
2) B3, O07, R07, T13 Exe: */COMOB : symbol at end of reverse legend RIC X 3205
AU Semissis
3) B2, O07, R06, T10, M2 Exe: */¤/CONOB RIC X 913
AU Tremissis
4) B2, O07, R08, T06, M2 Exe: */CONOB

AR Siliqua
AR ½ Siliqua
7) B2, O07, R11, T01, M4 M D across fields RIC X 3616
AE1
8) B2, O14, R04, T09, M7 Exe: S/C/•XL• Bust exe: •IIII• RIC X 3667
AE3
9) B2, O03, R11, T20 ¤ in left field

10) B2, O04, R11, T20 ¤ in left field RIC X 949
11) B2, O07, R01, T24, M2 RIC X 948
12) B4, O03, R11, T20 ¤ in left field RIC X 947
AE4
13) B2, O13, R11, T01, M4 M D across fields RIC X 3616
14) B2, O13, R11, T04 RIC X 973
15) B2, O13, R11, T05
591
Zeno Busts
Zeno Types
592
Wife of Zeno, then Anastasius. Ariadne was also the

Ariadne daughter of Verina, Leo I's wife and to her most of all
does Anastasius owe his title of Augustus after Zeno's
death.
b. ca.450 – d.515
Bust:
Ironic, isn‟t it, that of all the Roman empresses the
1) Diademed, draped bust right, wearing necklace and earrings wife of two different, long-reigning emperors would
be among the very rarest to be found today?
Obverses:
1) AEL ARIADNE AVG Despite being associated with the Eastern Roman
2) AEL ARIAUNE AVG Imperial court for over 60 years there are only a
3) AEL ARIAYNE AVG
handful of coins left of her and since none of them
Reverses: are on sale, ever, they may well be considered
priceless.
1) VICTORIA AVGGG
3) No legend
Types:
2) Victory standing right, holding cross.
Mint:
1) Constantinopolis
AU Tremissis Reference(s)
1) B1, O2, R3, T3 RIC X 935

593
History remembers Basiliscus in an unfavorable light for his

Basiliscus biggest accomplishment seems to have been the annihilation of a
large fleet sent to deal with the Vandals of Northern Africa. The
circumstances for this disaster remain clouded under some
Augustus 475-476 controversy but it seems certain that as he approached the Vandal
capital their leader sent a boat full of gold to halt the invasion.
Basiliscus may well have sold out his countrymen and the cause
for the loot. With the bought time, and probably more than a little proactive help on the part of Basiliscus, the
Vandals were able to mount a quick counteroffensive and rout the would-be conquerors. Following an
investigation, Basiliscus managed to avoid being executed for the military blunder with the help of well-placed
connections. Instead, through luck and lack of more able leaders, the Senate ratified him as the Eastern emperor
in 475. Here his lackluster performance carried over in the form of passing law after unpopular law which seemed
to alienate everyone who could've been in a position to help him. Years before, a series of plots engineered by the
ranking elite in Constantinople forced the then-emperor Zeno to flee. Now the very same people who did this were
recalling the former emperor back in light of the gross mismanagement of Basiliscus. One by one his supporters
switched sides to Zeno. Basiliscus did what he could to appease his dwindling support net but it was a day late
and a dollar short. In 476 Zeno returned to Constantinople, captured Basiliscus and sent him and his whole family
off to an island where they were executed by starvation.
Busts:

2) Helmeted, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust facing holding spear over shoulder and shield
Obverses: Coins of Basiliscus are found bearing his name alone as well as with his
brother Marcus whom he briefly recognized as co-emperor. However,
1) DN BASIL ET MAR P AVG none are known in the name of Marcus alone. And this is all mostly
2) DN BASILISCI ET MARC P AVG academic since these coins are generally very rare to begin with. While
3) DN BASILISCI ET MARCI C
4) DN BASILISCVS PE AVG there is no such thing as a “census” of remaining coins for any given
5) DN BASILISCVS PERT AVG emperor or type one could make an educated guess that there are
6) DN BASILISCVS PF AVG
7) DN BASILISCVS PP AVG
probably less than a hundred or two coins of Basiliscus (with or without
8) DN BASILISCVS PRET AVG his brother) accounted for the whole world over. There are probably
9) No legend many hundreds or thousands at the bottom of the Mediterranean but
until those are recovered – if they ever are – finding one for sale will be a
Reverses: challenge. And then paying for one will give your budget a whallop.
1) GLORIA ROMANORVM
2) SALVS REIPVBLICAE Although a few tiny bronzes have been identified, mostly thanks to his
3) SALVS REIPVRLICAE distinctive monogram, these are even rarer than the gold pieces and
4) VICTORIA AVGG
5) VICTORIA AVGGG likely to cost just as much. A few tremisses and Solidi have been seen to
6) VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM cost under a thousand dollars each but more typically they go for quite a
7) VRBIS ROMA
8) No legend
bit more.
Types:
1) Basiliscus and Marcus seated, facing, each holding a mappa and globe
2) Basiliscus standing, holding spear and resting left hand on shield.
3) Constantinopolis seated, facing, stepping on galley prow, holding scepter and cornucopia.
4) Monogram
5) Roma seated, facing, holding Victory on globe and spear.
6) Victory seated right holding shield reading XXXX
8) Victory standing, facing, holding wreath and cross on globe.
Mints:
1) Constantinopolis
2) Cyzicus
3) Mediolanum
4) Nicomedia
5) Roma
6) Thessalonica
594

AU Tremissis

AE4
5) B1, O1, R8, T4, M2 Exe: CVZ RIC X 1034
Basiliscus Busts
Basiliscus Types
595
Wife of Basiliscus, who was starved to death along with

Zenonis him after Zeno was restored to the throne.
? – d.476
Bust:
Among the very rarest of rulers, this obscure empress is
1) Diademed, draped bust right represented on only a small handful of surviving coins most
of which are chewed up remnants of the tiny coppers of the
Obverses: age and which can be attributed thanks only to her
distinctinctive monogram.
1) A ZENONIS
2) AEL ZENONIS AVG
A Solidus or two bounce around at the rate of once or twice
Reverses: every decade or two and it‟s probably only a matter of time
before all of them find permanent homes in museums. The
1) VICTORIA AVGGG AE4‟s come up for sale almost as infrequently but at least
2) No legend
there‟s a reasonable chance that more of them may be
Types: found in the Balkans in the coming years.
1) Monogram
Mint:
1) Constantinopolis
1) B1, O2, R1, T2 Exe: */CONOB Officina at end of reverse legend RIC X 1004
AE4
2) B1, O1, R2, T1 RIC X 1018
596
Leontius of Isauria, not to be confused with the better known
Leontius I Byzantine emperor of the same name, was one of the early
usurpers to the Eastern crown. He was raised to emperor by an
army rebelling against Zeno. The revolt he led quickly bogged
down in loyalist resistance and he was forced to retreat to Antioch
Augustus 484-488 where a siege was laid out at once. He held out in his compound in
nearby Cherris for four years before his compatriots betrayed him
to the besiegers. He was promptly executed afterwards. His authentic coins are exceedingly rare. RIC records all
of three solidi for his reign with fakes outnumbering the genuine ones many times over.
Bust:
1) Helmeted, cuirassed, diademed bust facing, holding spear and shield. The coins of this rare usurper have apparently never
been offered for sale to the public. This means that
Obverses: unless new ones are found a peek in a display case in
a museum is about as close as you get to one.
1) DN LEONTIO PERPS AVG
2) DN LEOTIO PERPS AVG
However remote the possibility of new coins turning
up for Leontius this does have a history of happening
Reverses:
for other emperors so at least the hope for such a
1) VICTORA AVGG discovery would be justifiable. Slightly.
2) VICTORIA AVGG
3) VICTRA AOGG
The greater danger will be discerning a real coin from
the many attempts at forgery. For this reason it would
Type:
be very wise to have a coin attributed to this or any
other rare emperor authenticated by a numismatic
expert.
Mint:
1) Antioch
1) B1, O1, R2, T1 Exe: */ANTOB RIC 1101

597
In a larger context the Byzantine empire as such could be said
Anastasius I to have started when the ancient city of Byzantium was renamed
Constantinople by Constantine I and made a political axis on a par
with Rome. Numismatic historians, however, classify Anastasius
Augustus 491-518 as the last Roman Emperor and the first Byzantine one. Although
he considered himself "Roman", along with all future Byzantine
emperors, his choice in 498 to discard the then monetary system in
favor of a new, more Greek-aligned one was a lasting landmark of profound significance. Culturally, the
Byzantines were always Greek under their skin and as the influence of the Romans waned there was ever less
reason to reflect what to them was a foreign culture even at an official level. Within another hundred years most
distinctly Roman traits had been supplanted by the new zeitgeist which better served, after all, a Greek citizenry.
During his reign he consolidated power in what was left of the eastern half of the empire and gave up for lost the
barbarian-infested western one. To his credit, he was a shrewd administrator and settled several favorable trade
treaties which started off the Byzantine period on sound financial footing.
Note: So little care has gone into the engraving of the legends during and after this reign that only the primary
legend forms will be catalogued. Blunders and minor variations are to be expected.
Busts:
Although he was never any the wiser himself, Anastasius stood at
1) Diademed bust left, wearing consular robes, holding
mappa and cross
a sort of historical crossroads. Several years after becoming
2) Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right emperor he decided he‟d had it with the currency system as it
3) Helmeted, cuirassed bust facing, holding spear over stood and put into effect a series of reforms that forever changes
shoulder and shield
the Roman numismatic legacy.
Obverses:
First and most far-reaching he reintroduced the Follis which was
1) DN ANASTASIO PP AVG last seen in its full weight two hundred years before. He tariffed
2) DN ANASTASIVS PERP AVG this coin as worth 40 of the little old AE4‟s that up until then had
3) DN ANASTASIVS PF AVG
4) DN ANASTASIVS PP A been the backbone of small commerce. These now get the formal
5) DN ANASTASIVS PP AV name of Nummus whence we get “numismatics” today. Although
6) DN ANASTASIVS PP AVG
very important as a keystone in currency the actual coins are now
largely phased out of production and exist mostly as multiples with
Reverses: the 40-nummus Follis and 20-nummus half Follis being made in
1) CONCORD
great quantities. And this reform kicks in the Byzantine period
2) GLORIA ROMANORVM which will last for nearly another millennium. Legends gradually
3) GLOR ORVS TRRA shed their Latin characters in favor of Greek and, as elsewhere
5) VICTORIA AVGGG with this culture, art begins to acquire a strong Eastern Christian
6) VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM flavor.
7) No legend
While Anastasius tinkered with the bronze coinage he left the

Types:
time-honored Solidus and its ancillary fractions alone. The
1) Anastasius seated, facing, holding akakia and cross on collector should be reminded that the bronzes and precious metal
globe coinage existed almost in two separate dichotomies. While every-
2) Anastasius standing, facing, holding spear and resting
hand on shield
day trade at the market was facilitated by this copper small
3) Circle, monogram within change, bullion and barter, the gold coins (and even more rarely
4) Large letter E now the silver ones) were used primarily to pay soldiers and
5) Large letter I
6) Large letter K, cross to left reserved for other government transactions.
7) Large letter M, cross above
8) Victory advancing forward, holding wreath and cross on
globe For pre-reform bronze coins of Anastasius one finds the relatively
9) Victory seated right, holding shield reading XXXX elusive tiny AE4‟s typical of the other eastern emperors before him
10) Victory standing left, holding scepter with Christogram
(Type I, see photo at section end)
and are found usually in such poor condition that they defy
11) Victory standing left, holding scepter with Christogram attribution. The post-reform bronzes are much easier to locate and
(Type II) even though they, too, were made of cheap alloys subject to
13) Wreath, VOT / MVLT / MTI within corrosion their size is usally large enough that they remain
identifiable. These early Byzantine coins are sold from the dirt-
Mints: cheap eyesores to over $200 for pristine bronzes regardless of
denomination.
1) Antioch
2) Constantinopolis
3) Nicomedia The gold coins, primarily the Solidus and the Tremissis, can be
4) Thessalonica purchased for around $500 and $200 respectively.
598
1) B1, O6, R4, T01, M2 Exe: */CONOB

2) B3, O6, R5, T10, M2 Exe: */CONOB Officina at end of reverse legend SB 4
4) B3, O6, R5, T12, M2 Exe: */*/CONOB SB 30
AU Semissis
6) B2, O6, R5, T09, M2 Exe: */¤/CONOB SB 6
AU Tremissis
7) B2, O6, R6, T08, M2 Exe: */CONOB SB 8
AR Miliarense
8) B2, O6, R3, T02, M4 Exe: */THSOB
AR Siliqua
9) B2, O6, R7, T13, M2 Exe: CONOS* SB 11
AE Follis (40 Nummus)
10) B2, O6, R7, T07, M2 Exe: `/CON * on either side of M (and • above and below each *) SB 21
11) B2, O6, R7, T07, M2 Exe: `/CON * on either side of M SB 16
12) B2, O6, R7, T07, M2 Exe: `/CON * to left of M
13) B2, O6, R7, T07, M2 Exe: CON SB 14
AE ½ Follis (20 Nummus)

14) B2, O6, R7, T07, M2 Exe: CON Officina to right of K SB 14
Note: In the smaller denominations the obverse legend is almost always abbreviated in arbitrary fashion to read,
roughly, DN ANAS PP AVG. However, these legends are only very rarely readable in their entirety.
AE 5 Nummus
15) B2, O?, R7, T04, M2 • above and below central line of the E and officina to right SB 29
16) B2, O?, R7, T04, M2 Officina to right of the E SB 29
AE4
17) B2, O?, R7, T03, M2 SB 13
Anastasius I Busts
599
Anastasius I Types
600
During various periods of the Roman Imperial age a

Anonymous Coinage relatively small series of coins were issued without either
the reigning emperor‟s portrait nor a legend that
explicitly mentions him.
Some of these were minted during civil wars at a time when no clear successor had yet been found. At others, the
coins seem to been minted in honor of a particularly important event that transcended even the ephemeral
position of the current emperor. And yet others seem to have served a very specific role within a closed
community such as miners‟ scrip money.
The most famous and available of these coins are those struck in commemoration of the founding of
Constantinople. As the old city of Byzantium was renamed after Constantine it assumed an importance that,
politically and culturally, would rival Rome itself. To leave no doubt as to its new status, millions of bronze coins
were made in roughly equal quantities of two main types. The first featured on the obverse personification of
Rome while the second that of Constantinopolis. Both types may be found today as among the most commonly
available of late Roman coinage and were minted in every operational mint at the time of issue; roughly the years
330-340.
AR Types:
1. Denarius
Obv: No legend - Wreath, SPQR within
Rev: SALVS GENERIS HVMANI – Victory standing right on globe, holding palm and wreath
Issued during the civil war following Nero‟s death. RIC 73b, C 421
2. Denarius
Obv: FIDES / EXERCITVVM – Hands, in handshake
Rev: FIDES / PRAETORIANORVM – Hands, in handshake
Also issued during the civil war of 68-69. RIC 121, BMC 65, C 363
3. Half Siliqua (Approx. 1.3g)

Obv: No legend – Star
Rev: No legend - Wreath
Presumably struck shortly after the death of Helena c.326 in memoriam.
4. Half Siliqua (Approx. 1.3g)

Obv: No legend – Helmeted, draped and cuirassed bust of Roma right
Rev: No legend – Large K
The obverse most likely represents the personification of Rome and, this being the case, the
coin would have been a commemorative associated with the founding of Constantinopolis.
The large K on the reverse remains somewhat of a mystery. David Vagi asserts it stands for
Constantinopolis though it was usually spelled with a “C” during the fourth century. C.330
5. Third of Siliqua (Approx. 1.15g)

Obv: No legend – Helena diademed, draped bust right, wearing necklace
Rev: No legend – Large K
Another posthumous coin of Helena, easily identifiable by her portrait despite the lack of an
affirming legend. c.330.
Vagi 3052
601
6. Third of Siliqua
Obv: No legend – Helmeted, draped and cuirassed bust of Roma right
Rev: No legend – Large R
In this case the R in reverse can more easily be explained as standing for Rome.
c.330
AE Types:
7. Tessera (Approx. 4 - 7g)

Obv: No legend – Couple in erotic embrace, lying down.
Rev: No legend – Wreath, V within
An erotic token of extra-official provenance and uncertain value. Probably used outside
of mainstream commerce and rare within its own time.
c.14-34
8. Semis (Approx. 3 - 4g)

Obv: No legend – Woman, draped bust right
Rev: METAL / AVRELIA / NIS
Throughout the empire there were many mines that contracted a large labor force along
with the slave labor pressed into duty. These coins were likely used for their limited
purchasing needs inside of their communities. c.161-180
9. Quadrans (Approx. 2.5 - 3.5g)

Obv: No legend – Mars helmeted, cuirassed bust right
Rev: Cuirass
c.81-161 RIC II, 21

Obv: No legend – Rhinoceros advancing left
Rev: Laurel branch, S C across fields
c.81-161 RIC II, 36

Obv: ROMA – Helmeted, draped bust of Roma right
Rev: DARDANICI – Dardania standing left, holding wheat ears and raising skirt.
Another issue associated with mine use. c.100-140 RIC 1016 (II, Hadrian)

Obv: No legend – Pegasus seated left, wheel to left.
Rev: No legend – Altar; S C across fields
Ca. 70-100
602
13. AE3 Constantinople Commemorative Type I

Obv: VRBS ROMA – Roma, helmeted, draped and cuirassed bust left
Rev: Wreath, VOT / XX / MVLT / XXX within
See catalog at end of section
14. AE3 Constantinople Commemorative Type II

Obv: CONSTANTINOPOLI – Constantinopolis helmeted, draped and cuirassed bust
left, holding scepter
Rev: GLORIA EXERCITVS – Two soldiers standing either side of a standard, each
holding a spear and resting hand on a shield.
15. AE3 Constantinople Commemorative Type III

Obv: CONSTANTINOPOLIS – Constantinopolis helmeted, draped and cuirassed bust
left, holding scepter.
Rev: No legend – Victory standing left, stepping on galley prow, cradling scepter and
resting hand on shield.
16. AE3 Constantinople Commemorative Type IV

Obv: VRBS ROMA – Roma, helmeted, draped and cuirassed bust left
Rev: GLORIA EXERCITVS – Two soldiers standing either side of a standard, each
holding a spear and resting hand on a shield.
17. AE3 Constantinople Commemorative Type V

Obv: ROMA – Roma, helmeted, draped and cuirassed bust left
Rev: No legend – Wolf standing left, suckling Romulus and Remus.
18. AE1
Obv: CONSTANTINOPOLIS – Constantinopolis helmeted, cuirassed bust right, holding
scepter over shoulder.
Rev: VICTORIA AVG – Victory seated left, stepping on galley prow, holding branch and
cornucopia.
RIC 303 (VII, Rome)
19. AE4
Obv: GENIO ANTOCHENI - Genius of Antioch seated, facing; Orontes swimming
below.
Rev: APOLLONI SANCTO Exe: ʘ/SMA - Apollo standing left, holding patera and lyre.
Semi-autonomous issue under Maximinus II, 'The last civic coinages and the religious
policy of Maximinus Daza', J. van Heesch. c.310 (Antioch).
603
20. AE4
Obv: IOVI CONSERVATORI – Jupiter seated left, holding globe and scepter.
Rev: VICTORIA AVGG Exe: ʘ/ANT – Victory advancing left, holding wreath and
palm.
21. AE4
Obv: DEO SANCTO SARAPIDI - Serapis head right.
Rev: DEO SANCTO NILO - Nilus laying left, holding reed and cornucopia.
22. AE1
Obv: Isis diademed, draped bust right
Rev: VOTA P PVBLICA – Isis riding chariot with two mules left, holding sistrum.
23. AE3
Obv: ISIS FARIA – Isis draped bust left, holding sistrum and fruit dish
Rev: VOTA PVBLICA – Isis seated, facing, holding Horus
24. AE4
Obv: DEO SERAPI – Serapis draped bust left
Rev: VOTA PVBLICA – Sphinx poised right
25. AE4
Obv: POP ROMANVS - Roma laureate, draped bust left, holding cornucopia
Rev: Bridge
Var. (a) mintmark CONS`, (b) mintmark CONS over `
RIC 21 (VIII, Rome), L 1066
26. AE4
Obv: POP ROMANVS - Roma laureate, draped bust left, holding cornucopia
Rev: No legend Exe: CONS` – Wreath, star within.
Var. (a) mintmark above star, (b) mintmark below star

604
27. AE4
Obv: Roma - Roma helmeted, cuirassed bust right.
Rev: No legend – Roma standing left, holding spear and resting hand on shield; P R
across fields
28. AE4
Obv: Constantinopolis diademed, draped bust right
Rev: No legend – Pax standing left, holding branch and scepter; P R across fields
RIC 106 (VIII, Rome)
AE3 Constantinople Commemorative Type I Reference(s)

24) Exe: •SMH` (Heraclea) RIC 56 (VIII, Heraclea), L 960
25) Exe: SMN` (Nicomedia) RIC 53 (VIII, Nicomedia), L 1151
AE3 Constantinople Commemorative Type III

26) Exe: */AQ` (Aquileia) RIC 129 (VII, Aquileia)
27) Exe: *SMK` (Cyzicus) RIC 120 (VII, Cyzicus)
28) Exe: ¨`LG (Lugdunum) RIC 251 (VII, Lyons)
29) Exe: >/`CONST (Arelate) RIC 380 (VII, Arelate)
30) Exe: £/`CONST (Arelate) RIC 386 (VII, Arelate)
31) Exe: ®/`CONST (Arelate) RIC 369 (VII, Arelate)
32) Exe: O/`CONST (Arelate) RIC 416 (VII, Arelate)
33) Exe: •/•SMH`• (Heraclea) RIC 135 (VII, Heraclea)
34) Exe: •`LG (Lugdunum) RIC 246 (VII, Lyons)
35) Exe: •`SIS• (Siscia) RIC 241 (VII, Siscia)
36) Exe: •CONS`• (Constantinopolis) RIC 86 (VII, Constantinople)
37) Exe: •SMHΓ (Heraclea) RIC 120 (VII, Heraclea)
38) Exe: •SMHΔ (Heraclea) RIC 120 (VII, Heraclea)
39) Exe: •SMH`• (Heraclea) RIC 125 (VII, Heraclea)
40) Exe: •SMK` (Cyzicus) RIC 107 (VII, Cyzicus)
41) Exe: CONS` (Constantinopolis) RIC 63 (VII, Constantinople)
42) Exe: CONS`• (Constantinopolis) RIC 79 (VII, Constantinople)
43) Exe: F/AQ` (Aquileia) RIC 137 (VII, Aquileia)
44) Exe: RB` (Roma) RIC 339 (VII, Rome)
45) Exe: RF` (Roma) RIC 332 (VII, Rome)
46) Exe: SMAL` (Alexandria) RIC 17 (VIII, Alexandria), L 1441
47) Exe: SMAL`• (Alexandria) RIC 27 (VIII, Alexandria), L 1444
48) Exe: SMAN` (Antioch) RIC 92 (VII, Antioch)
49) Exe: SMH` (Heraclea) RIC 115 (VII, Heraclea)
50) Exe: SMK` (Cyzicus) RIC 93 (VII, Cyzicus)
51) Exe: SMN` (Nicomedia) RIC 196 (VII, Nicomedia)
52) Exe: SMTS` (Thessalonica) RIC 188 (VII, Thessalonica)
53) Exe: TR`* (Treveri) RIC 548 (VII, Trier)
54) Exe: TR`® (Treveri) RIC 563 (VII, Trier)
55) Exe: TR`• (Treveri) RIC 530 (VII, Trier)
AE3 Constantinople Commemorative Type IV

AE1 Constantinople Commemorative Type V

58) [No marks in exergue] RIC 349 (VII, Rome)
AE3 Constantinople Commemorative Type V

59) Exe: *SMK` (Cyzicus) RIC 72 (VII, Cyzicus)
60) Exe: ;/SMH` (Heraclea) RIC 129 (VII, Heraclea)
61) Exe: ;/SMN` (Nicomedia) RIC 195 (VII, Nicomedia)
62) Exe: `SIS (Siscia) RIC 222 (VII, Siscia), L 745
63) Exe: ¨`LG (Lugdunum) RIC 252 (VII, Lyons)
64) Exe: ¯/`CONST (Arelate) RIC 368 (VII, Arles)
65) Exe: =/`CONST (Arelate) RIC 373 (VII, Arles)
66) Exe: £/`CONST (Arelate) RIC 385 (VII, Arles)
67) Exe: £/`CONST (Arelate) RIC 400 (VII, Arles)
68) Exe: •`SIS• (Siscia) RIC 240 (VII, Siscia), L 750
69) Exe: ••SMH`• (Heraclea) RIC 134 (VII, Heraclea)
70) Exe: •CONS`• (Constantinopolis) RIC 85 (VII, Constantinople)
605
71) Exe: •SMH` (Heraclea) RIC 119 (VII, Heraclea)
72) Exe: •SMH`• (Heraclea) RIC 124 (VII, Heraclea)
73) Exe: •SMK` (Cyzicus) RIC 105 (VII, Cyzicus)
74) Exe: •SMN` (Nicomedia) RIC 119 (VII, Nicomedia)
75) Exe: CONS` (Constantinopolis) RIC 62 (VII, Constantinople)
77) Exe: F/AQ` (Aquileia) RIC 336 (VII, Aquileia)
78) Exe: R=` (Roma) RIC 354 (VII, Rome)
79) Exe: RF` (Roma) RIC 331 (VII, Rome)
80) Exe: SMAL` (Alexandria) RIC 63 (VII, Alexandria)
84) Exe: SMK` (Cyzicus) Only one star above wolf
85) Exe: SMK` (Cyzicus) RIC 90 (VII, Cyzicus)
86) Exe: SMN` (Nicomedia) RIC 205 (VII, Nicomedia)
87) Exe: SMTS` (Thessalonica) RIC 229 (VII, Thessalonica)
88) Exe: TR•` (Treveri) RIC 542 (VII, Trier)
£
606
Coin Terms Used

AE – Short for Aeratus, Latin for copper.
AR – Short for Argentum, Latin for silver.
AU or AV – Short for Aurum, Latin for gold.
Billon – Any alloy made up chiefly of base metals which contains a negligible amount of silver.
Celator – The craftsman in charge of creating the dies.
Die – The metal stamp used to impress a design onto a metal blank. Each coin is made using two dies for obverse
and reverse. Die axis refers to the position of each die relative to each other when the coin was struck.
Exergue – Generally taken to mean the bottom part of the coin. This area is usually delineated and reserved for
codes unrelated to the rest of the coin‟s design or message. The exception are the Denarii and Aurei which
sometimes use the exergue as extra spacing to accommodate large reverse legends. In most other cases the
exergue is used for mint marks. These mintmarks often spill into the reverse fields as well. While not frequently
used, the obverse sometimes will have some exergue writing.
Fabric – Refers to the texture of a coin. Two coins with identical designs can still have a very different „look and
feel‟ about them. Factors like thickness, metal type, porosity, waviness and so on make up a unique signature for
each coin that becomes associated with a particular culture and era. The study of a coin‟s fabric is vitally important
in determining a coin‟s authenticity.
Flan – The metal blank used to make the coin. The term‟s use is synonymous with “coin” except that the former
concerns itself only with the structural integrity, shape and makeup of the metal.
Fourree – A French word meaning „stuffed‟. In numismatics it refers to an ancient counterfeit meant to deceive the
recipient of the coin, not a modern collector. The counterfeiter would use a copper core and coat it in silver before
striking it and attempting to pass it off as a good coin. The artistic merit of Roman fourrees is usually so good that
they can only be identified when the silver coating has worn through enough to reveal its interior. Given this fact it
is suspected that the counterfeiters could only have been mint officials with access to official dies and/or under
covert approval of their superiors. Gold fourrees exist as well.
Mule – (or hybrid) A term used to describe a coin whose obverse is mismatched with the reverse. For example, the
Julia Domna Denarius pictured below is of a military type belonging to her husband Septimius Severus and which
would never ordinarily be featured on a coin of an empress.
607
Mules are particularly abundant during transitional periods as one emperor is replaced with another and dies used
for the former become mixed with the latter out of carelessness, haste or both.
Obverse – The front or „heads‟ of a coin.
Orichalcum – A naturally occurring brassy alloy mined on the Italian peninsula. It was used irregularly in the
minting of Sestertii and Dupondii during the first and second centuries. Being of a naturally golden color, coins
made of this alloy are often mistaken for gold by inexperienced collectors.
Patina – Copper-based alloys and to a lesser extent silver ones exposed to the environment become corroded
over time. If this environment is not too severe only the coin‟s surface becomes affected. This superficial layer is
called a patina and novice collectors may often attempt to remove it in the failed hopes of restoring the coin to an
as-new condition. A patina is usually desirable to maintain as it forms an effective barrier against further corrosion
and is often considered quite attractive.
Reverse – The „tails‟ side of the coin.

608
Style – The unique artistic attributes of a coin‟s design. The art of engraving is remarkably consistent for a
particular age and becomes a mint‟s signature as its various students learn to mimic one another‟s renderings.
While each mint‟s output becomes consistent with itself it is often dissimilar to other mints‟ coins. The farther apart
any two mints are the more likely that the artistic style will be different even when the overall design of the artwork
and epigraphy is the same.
Style also evolves over time within a mint and this, too, becomes a familiar signature. In conjunction with the study
of fabric as mentioned above an understanding of style is essential in distinguishing authentic from fake.
609
Glossary
Biga – A chariot pulled by two horses.
Capricornus – The classical Roman Capricorn; a mythological figure combining the fore part of a goat with a fish
tail.
Carpentum – A funerary chariot; the predecessor of the modern hearse.
Cornucopia – A funnel-shaped container used to store fruits and vegetables, usually for decorative more so than
practical purposes. Symbolically representative of plentiful resources.
Cuirass – The body armor of the soldier. The emperor, who rarely, if ever, personally fought in a war would have
intricate decorations on his own cuirass.
Labarum – A vexillum with a Christian motif.
Lictor – The personal bodyguard to the emperor. The lictor would be outfitted with a fasces which was analogous
in use to the billy club of today‟s police officers.
Lituus – One of the principal ceremonial instruments used by Roman priests during the course of their religious
rites.
Modius – A bushel of grain.
Parazonium – The quintessentially Roman short sword which served as the main weapon of combat for
infantrymen.
Patera – A sacred bowl used to pour various libations over the open fire of an altar.
Pileus – A small hat given to freed slaves to symbolize their freedom. In some countries, such as France, it
continues to be used as a symbol of freedom.
Quadriga – A chariot pulled by four horses.
Scepter – A ceremonial rod of various lengths decorated with inlaid jewels and engravings. It is representative of
ultimate authority.
Simpulum - One of the principal ceremonial instruments used by Roman priests during the course of their religious
rites.
Standard – A pole or staff adorned with large medallions, flags and other insignia denoting a particular military
unit‟s origin and affiliation. Asides from pomp, the devices proved useful in battlefield coordination.
Tessera – A name sometimes used in referring to the chief attribute of Liberalitas. The device is a coin counter
designed to give an accurate number of coins quickly and repeatedly during a donative procession but its actual
name is unknown today.
Vestal – A “nun” who devoted her life serving in the temple of Vesta. Her person and chastity was considered
absolutely inviolable.
Vexillum – A flag or sign carried on a pole used as a signaling device similar to a standard.
Victimarius – A priest whose function it was to ritually kill an animal meant as a sacrificial offering.
610
Rarity
Gauging the relative rarity of the various emperors, empresses and other personages for whom coins were made
since the time of Augustus and through that of Anastasius over 500 years later is a formidable task. The extant
coins of the Roman empire have come into the hands of collectors as well as private and public institutions either
because they were handed down through the generations or because they have been recovered after being lost
by their original owners (and then handed down through the generations!). Since on the one hand new coins are
being found all the time and records of how many coins were minted back then were never kept no one knows for
sure just how rare or common any single ruler, coin type or denomination is. Rarity is also not linearly progressive
in the sense that a ruler‟s length of reign is not necessarily a good yardstick for determining overall rarity. While
there‟s obviously a general correlation with popular emperors with long reigns having many extant coins today that
is only loosely indicative of how many coins were actually made during that period and, more importantly, how
many have survived.
For example, if one were to add up all the remaining coins left of the top fifty rulers, whose individual reigns would
add up to decades, you would still have fewer coins than many single, short-lived emperors such as a Quintillus or
Otho. There are several reasons for this including the fact that the more ephemeral the ruler the less likely that
they had access to an active mint or the required resources to run it. Of those that did perhaps their particular
period was so troubled that little currency was being manufactured. In other cases it‟s just a matter of bad luck in
that the particular ruler had most of his or her coins lost or melted down. And in yet others it is simply that the ruler
came and went before the mints under his temporary control had any time to ramp up production.
However, polling existing collections and using the available historical clues one can come to some conclusions
that will be reasonably accurate. For the very rare issues or even coins attributed to rare emperors or empresses a
single hoard can dramatically alter the rarity scales as understood to be at any given moment. For what it‟s worth,
a couple of tables are presented to provide a general idea of how rare or common coins are for each of the known
emperors, empresses, caesars and others who had coins made in their names. A rarity of 1 means the coin is
very common while a 9 is of extreme rarity. For the purposes of this scale then a rarity of 5 or higher is fairly rare
and each successive number escalates this rarity exponentially.
With the exception of the late Roman Solidus and its various fractions gold coins are to be considered uniformly
rare. Few collectors of Roman imperial coins will be lucky enough to own an Aureus or any other pre-
Constantinian gold denomination.
611
Table 1 – Ruler Rarity (absolute)
Ruler AE AR AU
Julius Caesar, 49-44 BC ? 6 9
Augustus (Octavian), 27 BC – 14 AD 4 6 8
Livia (wife of Augustus) 6 N/A N/A
Agrippa (friend of Augustus) 5 N/A N/A
Tiberius, 14-37 6 6 8
Nero Claudius Drusus (brother of Tiberius) 7 8 8
Antonia (wife of Nero Claudius Drusus) 5 8 N/A
Drusus (son of Tiberius) 4 N/A ?
Germanicus (son of Nero Claudius Drusus) 4 N/A ?
Agrippina (wife of Germanicus) 7 N/A N/A
Nero and Drusus (sons of Germanicus) 6 N/A N/A
Caligula, 37-41 5 8 8
Claudius, 41-54 3 8 8
Britannicus (son of Claudius) 9 N/A N/A
Nero, 54-68 5 6 8
Clodius Macer (68, usurper) N/A 9 N/A
Galba, 68-69 6 6 8
Otho, 69 N/A 6 8
Vitellius, 69 7 5 8
Vespasian, 69-79 5 4 7
Domitilla (wife of Vespasian) 8 8 9
Titus 6 5 8
Julia Titi (daughter of Titus) 6 6 9
Domitian 4 3 7
Domitia (wife of Domitian) 8 9 9
Nerva, 96-98 4 3 8
Trajan, 98-117 3 3 7
Plotina (wife of Trajan) 7 8 9
Marciana (sister of Trajan) 7 7 9
Matidia (daughter of Marciana) 7 8 9
Hadrian, 117-138 3 3 7
Sabina (wife of Hadrian) 7 5 9
Aelius, 136-138 6 6 9
Antoninus Pius 3 3 7
Faustina Sr. (wife of Antoninus Pius) 4 3 9
Marcus Aurelius, 161-180 3 3 7
Faustina Jr. (wife of Marcus Aurelius) 4 3 8
Lucius Verus, 161-169 5 4 8
Lucilla (wife of Lucius Verus) 5 5 8
Commodus, 177-192 4 3 7
Crispina (Wife of Commodus) 7 5 9
Pertinax, 193 7 7 9
Didius Julianus, 193 7 7 9
Manlia Scantilla (wife of Didius Julianus) 8 8 N/A
Didia Clara (daughter of Didius Julianus) 8 8 N/A
Pescennius Niger, 193-194 ? 7 9
Septimius Severus, 193-211 6 3 7
Julia Domna (wife of Septimius Severus) 6 3 7
Caracalla, 198-217 6 3 7
Plautilla (wife of Caracalla) 7 4 9
Geta, 209-212 7 3 7
Macrinus, 217-218 7 5 9
Diadumenian, 218 7 6 9
Elagabalus, 218-222 6 3 7
612
Ruler AE AR AU
Julia Paula (1st wife of Elagabalus) 7 4 9
Aquilia Severa (2nd wife of Elagabalus) 8 5 9
Annia Faustina (3rd wife of Elagabalus) 9 7 N/A
Julia Soaemias (mother of Elagabalus) 6 4 9
Julia Maesa (grandmother of Elagabalus & S. Alexander) 6 4 9
Severus Alexander, 222-235 5 3 7
Orbiana (wife of Severus Alexander) 8 6 N/A
Julia Mamaea (mother of Severus Alexander) 6 4 9
Maximinus, 235-238 4 4 8
Paulina (wife of Maximinus) 8 7 N/A
Maximus, 235-238 5 6 N/A
Gordian I, 238 7 7 9
Gordian II, 23 7 7 9
Balbinus, 238 6 6 9
Pupienus, 238 6 6 9
Gordian III, 238-244 4 2 7
Tranquillina (wife of Gordian III) 7 8 N/A
Philip I, 244-249 4 3 7
Otacilia Severa (wife of Philip I) 4 3 9
Philip II, 247-249 4 3 7
Pacatian (c.248, usurper) N/A 8 N/A
Jotapian (c.248, usurper) N/A 9 N/A
Silbannacus (c.248, usurper) N/A 9 N/A
Trajan Decius, 249-251 4 3 8
Herennia Etruscilla (wife of Trajan Decius) 4 3 9
Herennius Etruscus, 251 4 4 8
Hostilian, 251 7 6 8
Trebonianus Gallus, 251-253 4 3 8
Volusian, 251-253 4 4 8
Aemilian, 253 8 6 9
Cornelia Supera (wife of Aemilian) 9 9 N/A
Uranius Antoninus, (c.253, usurper) 9 (prov.) 9 9
Valerian I, 253-260 4 3 9
Mariniana (wife of Valerian) 7 7 N/A
Valerian II, 256-258 5 4 9
Gallienus, 260-268 2 N/A 8
Salonina, (wife of Gallienus) 3 N/A 9
Saloninus, 260 5 5 9
Regalianus (c.260, usurper) N/A 9 N/A
Dryantilla (wife of Regalianus) N/A 9 N/A
Postumus (c.260-269, usurper) 4 3 9
Macrianus (c.260-261, usurper) 5 N/A 9
Quietus (c.260-261, usurper) 5 N/A 9
Claudius II, 268-270 2 N/A 9
Marius (c.269, usurper) 6 N/A N/A
Laelianus (c.269, usurper) 7 N/A 9
Domitian II (c. 269, usurper) 9 N/A N/A
Victorinus (c.269-271, usurper) 3 N/A 9
Quintillus, 270 4 N/A 9
Aurelian, 270-275 2 N/A 8
Vabalathus (c.271-272, usurper) 5 N/A N/A
Zenobia (mother of Vabalathus) 9 N/A N/A
Tetricus I (271-274, usurper) 3 N/A 9
Tetricus II (c.273-274, usurper) 3 N/A N/A
Tacitus, 275-276 3 N/A 9
Florian, 276 4 N/A 9
Probus, 276-282 2 N/A 8
Saturninus (c.280, usurper) N/A N/A UNIQUE
613
Ruler AE AR AU
Carus, 282-283 3 N/A 9
Numerian, 283-284 3 N/A 9
Carinus, 283-285 3 N/A 9
Magnia Urbica (wife of Carinus) 7 N/A 9
Nigrinian (son of Carinus) 7 N/A N/A
Diocletian, 284-305 2 6 7
Julian (c.284, usurper) 9 N/A 9
Maximianus, 286-305, 306-308 & 310 3 6 7
Carausius (287-293, usurper) 4 7 9
Allectus (293-296, usurper) 5 N/A 9
Domitius Domitianus (c.296-297, usurper) 8 N/A N/A
Constantius I, 305-306 3 6 9
Helena (1st wife of Constantius I) 3 N/A 9
Theodora (2nd wife of Constantius I) 5 N/A N/A
Galerius, 305-311 3 6 9
Galeria Valeria (wife of Galerius) 4 N/A 9
Severus II, 306-307 5 8 9
Maximinus II, 309-313 3 6 8
Maxentius, 306-312 3 6 8
Romulus (son of Maxentius) 5 N/A N/A
Constantine I, 307-337 1 7 7
Fausta (wife of Constantine I) 3 8 9
Alexander (c.308-311, usurper) 8 N/A N/A
Licinius, 308-324 1 8 8
Constantia (wife of Licinius) 8 N/A N/A
Valerius Valens, c.316 9 N/A N/A
Crispus, 316-324 1 8 9
Licinius Jr., 317-324 1 N/A 9
Martinian, 324 8 N/A N/A
Delmatius, 335-337 4 8 9
Hanniballianus, 335-337 7 9 N/A
Constantine II, 337-340 1 7 8
Constans, 337-350 1 6 8
Constantius II, 337-361 1 6 7
Nepotian, 350 9 N/A N/A
Vetranio (350, usurper) 6 8 N/A
Magnentius, 350-353 3 6 9
Decentius, 351-353 3 6 N/A
Constantius Gallus, 351-354 1 6 8
Julian II, 360-363 2 6 7
Jovian, 363-364 2 6 7
Valentinian I, 364-375 1 6 6
Valens, 364-378 1 6 6
Procopius (365-366, usurper) 4 7 9
Gratian, 367-383 1 6 6
Valentinian II, 375-392 1 6 6
Theodosius I, 379-395 1 6 6
Aelia Flaccilla (wife of Theodosius I) 3 8 9
Magnus Maximus (383-388, usurper) 4 6 7
Flavius Victor (387-388, usurper) 6 8 N/A
1[3]
Arcadius, 383-407 1 6 6
Eudoxia (wife of Arcadius) 3 8 8
Eugenius, 392-394 6 7 9
Honorius, 394-423 1 6 6
Theodosius II, 402-450 3 6 6
Eudocia (wife of Theodosius II) 7 8 7
1[3]
Emperors and their relatives from the Western court are highlighted in red
614
Ruler AE AR AU
Pulcheria (sister of Theodosius II) 7 8 7
Constantine III (407-411, usurper) 9 8 9
Constans II (c.409-411, usurper) N/A 9 N/A
Maximus (409-411, usurper) 9 9 N/A
Priscus Attalus, 409-410 & 414-415 9 8 9
Jovinus (411-413, usurper) N/A 9 N/A
Sebastianus (c.412-413, usurper) N/A 9 N/A
Constantius III, 421 N/A 9 9
Johannes, 423-425 6 8 9
Valentinian III, 425-455 6 8 6
Licinia Eudoxia (wife of Val. III & P. Maximus) N/A N/A 9
Galla Placidia (mother of Valentinian III) 7 8 8
Honoria (sister of Valentinian III) N/A N/A 8
Marcian, 450-457 5 8 6
Petronius Maximus, 455 N/A N/A 9
Avitus, 455-456 9 9 9
Leo I, 457-474 5 8 6
Verina (wife of Leo I) 6 N/A 7
Majorian, 457-461 7 8 9
Libius Severus, 461-465 8 8 8
Anthemius, 467-472 8 8 7
Euphemia (wife of Anthemius) N/A 9 9
Olybrius, 472 N/A N/A 9
Glycerius, 473-474 N/A UNIQUE 9
Leo II, 473-474 9 N/A 9
Zeno, 474-491 5 7 6
Ariadne (wife of Zeno) N/A N/A 9
Julius Nepos, 474-475 9 9 9
Romulus Augustus, 475-476 N/A 9 9
Basiliscus (and Marcus), 475-476 7 UNIQUE 7
Zenonis (wife of Basiliscus) 7 N/A 9
Leontius (484-488, usurper) N/A N/A 9
Anastasius, 491-518 3 7 5
Summary: The full Roman Imperial set has:
• A total of 135 emperors of which 34 were usurpers not counting Clodius Macer who was not hailed as
emperor nor Haniballianus whose title was King of Armenia.
• A total of 10 Caesars.
• A total of 51 women (40 wives, 4 mothers, 4 sisters, 2 daughters and 1 grandmother)
• 5 emperors‟ sons and one friend (Agrippa)
• A grand total of 204 persons (joint issues counted as one)
Note: The coins of usurper-emperors, Amandus, Aelianus and Sponsianus, are discounted by most
numismatic experts as fakes. Coins attributed to Proculus and Bonosus are highly controversial and in the
author‟s opinion mis-identified coins of barbarous origin. Coins minted in the name of Marcus alone, brother
of Basiliscus with whom he shared the imperial title briefly, are not known. Additionally, coins in the name of
Victoria, mother of Victorinus, were supposedly minted in copper, silver and gold but none are known to
have survived. The 18th century historian Gibbon asserts that an Egyptian merchant named Firmus rebelled
during the reign of Aurelian and minted coins in his own name but these, too, have yet to appear. Some
arguably Roman issues were excluded from this tally such as Vindex, Antinous, Odovacar, etc.
2[1]
Emperors in bold, Caesars in italics
615
Table 2 – Ruler 50. Florian 107. Allectus

Rarity (relative) 51. Hadrian 108. Julia Paula
52. Trajan 109. Hostilian
53. Maxentius 110. Aelius
In ascending order, 54. Galeria Valeria 111. Aquilia Severa
approximately from 55. Trajan Decius 112. Vitellius
most common to rarest: 56. Faustina Sr. 113. Zeno
57. Faustina Jr. 114. Galba
1. Constantine I 58. Domitian 115. Maximus (Caesar)
2. Constantius II 59. Marcus Aurelius 116. Quietus
3. Constantine II 60. Geta 117. Macrianus
4. Valens 61. Fausta 118. Flavius Victor
5. Valentinian I 62. Valerian I 119. Diadumenian
6. Constans 63. Magnus Maximus 120. Johannes
7. Licinius I 64. Agrippa 121. Otho
8. Probus 65. Germanicus 122. Vetranio
9. Aurelian 66. Constantius I 123. Magnia Urbica
10. Valentinian II 67. Quintillus 124. Aemilian
11. Gallienus 68. Commodus 125. Eugenius
12. Gratian 69. Marcian 126. Hanniballianus
13. Constantius Gallus 70. Nerva 127. Livia
14. Theodosius I 71. Julia Domna 128. Balbinus
15. Arcadius 72. Herennia Etruscilla 129. Pupienus
16. Honorius 73. Otacilia Severa 130. Agrippina II
17. Licinius II 74. Carus 131. Orbiana
18. Julian II 75. Lucius Verus 132. Valentinian III
19. Jovian 76. Severina 133. Marius
20. Diocletian 77. Julia Maesa 134. Pescennius Niger
21. Crispus 78. Julia Mamaea 135. Mariniana
22. Claudius II 79. Nero 136. Romulus
23. Maximian 80. Aelia Flaccilla 137. Pertinax
24. Maximinus II 81. Caligula 138. Agrippina I
25. Anastasius 82. Julia Soaemias 139. Basiliscus
26. Tetricus I 83. Volusian 140. Julia Titi
27. Tetricus II 84. Leo I 141. Julian
28. Salonina 85. Valerian II 142. Gordian I
29. Tacitus 86. Trebonianus Gallus 143. Gordian II
30. Delmatius 87. Drusus 144. Laelianus
31. Gordian III 88. Sabina 145. Didius Julianus
32. Philip I 89. Maximinus 146. Pulcheria
33. Postumus 90. Tiberius 147. Eudocia
34. Victorinus 91. Crispina 148. Verina
35. Philip II 92. Lucilla 149. Domitilla
36. Galerius 93. Titus 150. Nero Claudius Drusus
37. Helena 94. Plautilla 151. Paulina
38. Magnentius 95. Vabalathus 152. Nigrinian
39. Decentius 96. Theodora 153. Domitius Domitianus
40. Vespasian 97. Eudoxia 154. Constantine III
41. Antoninus Pius 98. Macrinus 155. Galla Placidia
42. Claudius 99. Antonia 156. Libius Severus
43. Augustus 100. Saloninus 157. Didia Clara
44. Elagabalus 101. Carausius 158. Manlia Scantilla
45. Severus Alexander 102. Severus II 159. Jovinus
46. Septimius Severus 103. Procopius 160. Anthemius
47. Caracalla 104. Herennius Etruscus 161. Matidia
48. Carinus 105. Clodius Albinus 162. Marciana
49. Numerian 106. Theodosius II 163. Majorian
616
164. Plotina 177. Avitus 190. Glycerius

165. Domitia 178. Clodius Macer 191. Ariadne
166. Honoria 179. Nepotian 192. Constans II
167. Julius Nepos 180. Constantius III 193. Sebastianus
168. Pacatian 181. Britannicus 194. Leo II
169. Martinian 182. Regalianus 195. Olybrius
170. Alexander 183. Priscus Attalus 196. Euphemia
171. Cornelia Supera 184. Uranius Antoninus 197. Leontius
172. Licinia Eudoxia 185. Dryantilla 198. Valerius Valens
173. Romulus Augustus 186. Zenonis 199. Constantia
174. Zenobia 187. Tranquillina 200. Silbannacus
175. Jotapian 188. Annia Faustina 201. Domitian II
176. Maximus 189. Petronius Maximus 202. Saturninus
Table 3 – Denomination Rarity
In ascending order, from most common to rarest, excluding multiples and fractions:
1. AE4‟s (fourth and fifth century) 13. AE Quadrans

2. AE3‟s and reduced Folles (fourth century) 14. AU Solidus
3. AE Antoninianus 15. AU Tremissis
4. AE Folles (third and fourth century) 16. AE Semis
5. AE2 (fourth century) 17. AR Argenteus
6. AR Antoninianus 18. AU Aureus
7. AE As 19. AR Cistophoric Tetradrachms
8. AR Denarius 20. AU Semissis
9. AE Dupondius 21. AR Miliarense
10. AE Sestertius 22. AU Scripulum
11. AE1 (fourth century) 23. AR Quinarius
12. AR Siliqua 24. AU Quinarius
617
Index of Rulers
Aelia Flaccilla, 532 Galba, 35 Nigrinian, 382
Aelius, 107 Galeria Valeria, 427 Numerian, 383
Aemilian, 281 Galerius, 422 Olybrius, 564
Agrippa, 12 Galla Placidia, 548 Orbiana, 234
Agrippina I, 15 Gallienus, 294 Otacilia Severa, 259
Agrippina II, 27 Germanicus, 14 Otho, 41
Alexander, 454 Geta, 204 Pacatian, 264
Allectus, 411 Glycerius, 565 Paulina, 238
Anastasius, 597 Gordian I, 240 Pertinax, 160
Annia Faustina, 224 Gordian II, 242 Pescennius Niger, 166
Anthemius, 561 Gordian III, 247 Petronius Maximus, 556
Antonia, 19 Gratian, 522 Philip I, 254
Antoninus Pius, 109 Hadrian, 89 Philip II, 261
Aquilia Severa, 223 Hanniballianus, 484 Plautilla, 202
Arcadius, 570 Helena, 451 Plotina, 86
Ariadne, 592 Herennia Etruscilla, 269 Postumus, 312
Augustus, 1 Herennius Etruscus, 271 Priscus Attalus, 544
Aurelian, 343 Honoria, 555 Probus, 361
Avitus, 557 Honorius, 538 Procopius, 520
Balbinus, 243 Hostilian, 273 Pulcheria, 575
Basiliscus, 593 Johannes, 549 Pupienus, 245
Britannicus, 26 Jotapian, 265 Quietus, 330
Caligula, 20 Jovian, 510 Quintillus, 340
Caracalla, 190 Jovinus, 545 Regalianus, 310
Carausius, 405 Julia Domna, 185 Romulus, 436
Carinus, 376 Julia Maesa, 218 Romulus Augustus, 568
Carus, 372 Julia Mamaea, 232 Sabina, 104
Claudius I, 23 Julia Paula, 221 Salonina, 305
Claudius II, 334 Julia Soaemias, 220 Saloninus, 308
Clodius Albinus, 169 Julia Titi, 71 Saturninus, 371
Clodius Macer, 40 Julian I, 387 Sebastianus, 546
Commodus, 148 Julian II, 507 Septimius Severus, 172
Constans I, 485 Julius Nepos, 566 Severina, 350
Constans II, 542 Laelianus, 319 Severus Alexander, 225
Constantia, 461 Leo I, 584 Severus II, 428
Constantine I, 437 Leo II, 589 Silbannacus, 284
Constantine II, 477 Leontius, 596 Tacitus, 354
Constantine III, 541 Libius Severus, 559 Tetricus I, 325
Constantius Gallus, 504 Licinia Eudoxia, 554 Tetricus II, 328
Constantius I, 415 Licinius I, 456 Theodora, 421
Constantius II, 490 Licinius II, 467 Theodosius I, 528
Constantius III, 547 Livia, 11 Theodosius II, 577
Cornelia Supera, 283 Lucilla, 145 Tiberius, 16
Crispina, 158 Lucius Verus, 141 Titus, 56
Crispus, 470 Macrianus, 332 Trajan, 76
Decentius, 500 Macrinus, 208 Trajan Decius, 266
Delmatius, 483 Magnentius, 498 Tranquillina, 253
Diadumenian, 211 Magnia Urbica, 380 Trebonianus Gallus, 275
Didia Clara, 165 Magnus Maximus, 533 Uranius Antoninus, 285
Didius Julianus, 162 Majorian, 558 Vabalathus, 352
Diocletian, 388 Manlia Scantilla, 164 Valens, 516
Domitia, 70 Marcian, 582 Valentinian I, 512
Domitian, 62 Marciana, 87 Valentinian II, 525
Domitian II, 324 Marcus Aurelius, 126 Valentinian III, 551
Domitilla, 55 Mariniana, 290 Valerian I, 286
Domitius Domitianus, 414 Marius, 320 Valerian II, 292
Drusus, 18 Martinian, 476 Valerius Valens, 475
Dryantilla, 311 Matidia, 88 Verina, 587
Elagabalus, 213 Maxentius, 431 Vespasian, 46
Eudocia, 580 Maximian, 396 Vetranio, 503
Eudoxia, 574 Maximinus I, 236 Victorinus, 321
Eugenius, 536 Maximinus II, 462 Vitellius, 43
Euphemia, 563 Maximus, 543 Volusian, 278
Fausta, 452 Maximus (Caesar), 239 Zeno, 589
Faustina I, 121 Nepotian, 502 Zenobia, 351
Faustina II, 136 Nero, 29 Zenonis, 596
Flavius Victor, 535 Nero Claudius Drusus, 13
Florian, 358 Nerva, 73
618
Photography Credits
Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. http://www.cngcoins.com

Dirty Old Coins, LLC http://www.dirtyoldcoins.com
Ancient Auction House http://www.ancientauctionhouse.com
Numismatica Ars Classica http://www.arsclassicacoins.com
Numismatik Lanz http://www.numislanz.de
Tkalec AG http://www.coinstkalec.ch
Gorny & Mosch http://www.gmcoinart.de
Ancient Imports http://www.vcoins.com/ancientimports
Atlantis, Ltd. http://www.atlantis-ltd.net
Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. http://www.harlanjberk.com
Leu Numismatik http://www.leu-numismatik.com
Münzen und Medaillen http://www.muenzenundmedaillendeutschland.de
BeastCoins http://www.beastcoins.com
John C. Lavender http://www.vcoins.com/jclavender
Trustees of the British Museum http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk
Additional Web Resources

ERIC Homepage http://www.dirtyoldbooks.com
Research http://www.dirtyoldcoins.com
Research http://www.wildwinds.com
Research http://www.coinarchives.com/a
Research http://www.beastcoins.com
Biographical http://www.roman-emperors.org
Educational http://dougsmith.ancients.info
Educational http://www.numismatics.org/publications/romangeneral
Major Collections/British Museum http://www.british-museum.ac.uk/cm/cmhome.html
Major Collections/Vienna http://www.khm.at/homeE3.html
Major Collections/Smithsonian http://americanhistory.si.edu/csr/cadnnc.htm
Major Collections/Ashmolean http://www.ashmol.ox.ac.uk/ash/departments/coin-room
Ancient Coins Magazine http://www.celator.com/cws/index.html
Errata and ancillary notes will be published electronically at http://www.dirtyoldbooks.com
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Section8 Magnentius - R. Augustus PDF

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498

Magnentius was one of the generals under the command of

2) B1, O5, R18, T31, M7 Exe: TR RIC 276 (VIII, Trier)

4) B1, O7, R23, T11, M7 Exe: TR RIC 257 (VIII, Aquileia)

Brother of Magnentius, the ill-fated usurper who almost

Busts: A bit harder to find than the coins of Magnentius but

1) Aequitas standing left, holding scale and cornucopia.

Nepotian On hearing of the murder of Constans and the usurpation of

Nevertheless, if shelling out ten grand or so on a

1) B1, O3, R1, T1 Exe: R` RIC VIII 200, L 643

3) B2, O2, R2, T2 Exe: R` RIC VIII 203, L 644

Nepotian Busts Nepotian Types

Vetranio away to be immediately effective. However, his sister Constantina

1) Vetranio standing left, holding labarum and spear.

4) B1, O1, R1, T04, M1 Exe: A/`SIS* “A” behind bust

Gallus was one of the few who escaped the family

Constantius Gallus Busts

Constantius Gallus Types

Obverses: For political and/or religious reasons he

Reverses: But this “AE1” was short-lived and the AE3

1) Bull standing right, two stars above

Jovian succeeded Julian II as emperor when the latter died of

1) Alexandria 6) Cyzicus 11) Sirmium

15) B1, O2, R10, T03, M13 Exe: TES`

1) DN VALENTINIANS PF AVG With Valentinian, and again Valens, Solidi and

1) CONCORDIA AVGGG If surviving quantity is plentiful enough, the same

1) Alexandria 6) Cyzicus 11) Roma

31) B1, O6, R07, T01, M05 Exe: COMTM

Some contemporary historians of Procopius claim that Julian II

Gratian systematically rooted out paganism wherever he could and went

1) Alexandria 6) Cyzicus 11) Roma

The son of a famous general, Theodosius's own military prowess

13) B1, O1, R18, T33, M05 Exe: */CONOB

3) B1, O1, R1, T1, M1 Exe: ALE` RIC 4 (IX, Alexandria)

15) B1, O1, R1, T2, M2 Exe: AN` L 2744

It's uncertain exactly how Magnus Maximus came to power. At

1) B2, O1, R3, T08, M8 Exe: */SMTR RIC 2 (IX, Treveri)

4) B1, O1, R8, T07, M8 Exe: TRPS RIC 82 (IX, Treveri)

Magnus Maximus Busts

Magnus Maximus Types

Reverses: A sharp eye and some patience can score one of

1) City gate with (2) turrets, star above

Flavius Victor Bust Flavius Victor Types

After the death of Valentinian II followed one of the most

Honorius was born to Theodosius and Aelia Flaccilla in 384 and

1) Alexandria 6) Cyzicus 11) Ravenna

Of no relation whatsoever to the Constantinian dynasty of the

Constantine III Busts Constantine III Types

Not to be confused with the better known "Constans II" of the

There is but one worn coin of his in the entire

Maximus Bust Maximus Types

An obscure emperor whose rise to power coincided with most

1) B1, O1, R1, T2, M1 Exe: A/R/KONOB

2) B1, O1, R2, T3, M1 Exe: KONT RIC X 1721

Shadowiest of the shadow emperors, all that is known about

1) Roma seated left on cuirass, holding Victory on globe and spear.

Constantius III Busts

Constantius III Types

Galla Placidia led probably the most dramatic life of any

Galla Placidia Busts

Galla Placidia Types

Johannes was a high-ranking civil servant under Honorius. When

1) Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust right