Late Roman Bronze Coins

I just got this coin from Trier has an H under the bust for the family members of Hercules-- Maximianus and Constantius. RIC says it was issued when "Constantius' British campaign was successfully concluded" This is his campaign against Carausius and Allectus. It also commemorates the beginning of the campaign of Maximianus against the Quinquegentiani in North Africa.



Galerius
circa A.D. 295
Ӕ follis   26mm   9.6g
MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES; laureate head right, H under bust.
GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, right holding patera, left cornucopiae; B in left.
In ex. TR
cf. RIC VI Trier 158


This coin is not in RIC for this series with nothing in the right field. The next series has something in both left and right fields. According to RIC, this issue was struck circa 295. This date is fine for commemorating the victory of Constantius over Carausius and then Allectus as the invasion of England was finished in A.D. 296, so this coin fits nicely into that timeline. The campaign of Maximianus against the Quinquegentiani did not start until 296 though.

Maybe this issue originally only commemorated the campaign of Constantius, but the H under bust types continued into the beginning of the Carthage campaign. Maybe the issue with the mark only in left was actually struck a bit later than RIC has; as the date was listed as "circa 295" and even states that "Chronology in this section is difficult."

Anyway. just some musings about this coin; which completes my set of H under bust for each ruler. Below are coins from the next series with field marks in the left and right.




Diocletian
A.D. 296- 297
Ӕ follis 26mm 10.3g
IMP DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; laureate head right, H under bust.
GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, right holding patera, left cornucopiae; B in left, Γ in right.
In ex. TR
RIC VI Trier 171a




Maximianus
A.D. 296- 297
Ӕ follis 27mm 10g
IMP MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; laureate head right, H under bust.
GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, right holding patera, left cornucopiae; B in left, Γ in right.
In ex. TR
RIC VI Trier 171b

 


Constantius I
A.D. 296- 297
Ӕ follis   24x27mm     7.1g
CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES; laureate head right, H under bust.
GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, right holding patera, left cornucopiae; B in left, Γ in right.
In ex. TR
RIC VI Trier 214a

I got this coin because of the fancy pteruges (Greek for feathers); which are the strips on the shoulders. They are added defense and decoration and can sometimes be seen around the waist.



Crispus
A.D. 324-325
19mm 3.2g
FL IVL CRISPVS NOB C; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left.
PROVIDEN-TIAE CAESS; campgate with two turrets and star between them.
in ex. SMNB
RIC VII Nicomedia 92



a side by side with Nicomedia 91

Here's a recent purchase where I saw that the dealer had "cf RIC 140a legend 1b not listed" so I bought it...and then checked RIC to see that it was listed. 



Diocletian
A.D. 303
Ӕ follis    28mm    9.0g
IMP DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; laureate head right.
SACRA MONET AVGG ET CAESS NOSTR; Moneta standing left with scales & cornucopiae; crescent in left field, B in right.
In ex. SIS
RIC VI Siscia 140a

I added two more campgates for a total of 92


https://constantinethegreatcoins.com/campgates/




Constantius II
A.D. 327- 328
Ӕ nummus  18x19mm    3.3g
FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left.
PROVIDEN-TIAE CAESS; camp gate with two turrets and ✶ between them.
in ex. •STRE
RIC VII Trier 514





Magnus Maximus
A.D. 383- 388
11x12mm  0.9g
D N MAG MAXIMVS P F AVG, Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
SPES ROMANORVM, Campgate with two turrets and star between.
In exergue TCON
RIC IX Arles 29a
 

same coin with two different crazy prices

I have recently added some coins to my London page

https://constantinethegreatcoins.com/London/

coin #133 for Constantine-



Constantine I
A.D. 310
24mm     3.6g
IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG; laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
SOLI INVICTO COMITI; Sol rad., stg. l., raising r. hand, globe in l., chlamys across l. shoulder; in left field T, in right field F.
in ex. PLN     
RIC VI London 122; LMCC 6.02.011; RML 255


coin #134 is not in RIC



Constantine I
A.D. 311- 312
23mm      4.2g
CONSTANTINVS P AVG; Laureate, helmeted, and cuirassed bust left, holding spear forward and shield.
PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS; Prince standing facing head left, in military dress with cloak hanging over left shoulder, holding globe in right, reversed spear in left; ✶ in right field.       
In ex. PLN     
RIC VI London --; LMCC 7.07.028; RML 489



and coin #135




Constantine I
A.D. 314
20mm    3.2g
CONSTANTINVS P AVG; laureate and cuirassed bust right.
SOLI INVICTO COMITI; Sol rad., stg. l., raising r. hand, globe in l., chlamys across l. shoulder; in left field S, in right field P.
in ex. MLN
RIC VII London 51; LMCC 8.06.004, 2nd ed.

Both of these coins are RIC VI Serdica 12a; but the reverse GENIOs are wildly different in style. The first GENIO looks like a mutant while the second is quite respectable.

Buy the coin not the description...sage advice 




I won this coin yesterday and did not even look at the description until after the auction. It was good that I paid no attention to the description as they had the wrong RIC number. It was listed as RIC 54 with an unlisted workshop. RIC 54 is a seen from rear bust though and this one is not; so it is RIC 55. I try not to pay much attention to listing descriptions and always look them up myself; but I have been burned in the past by going on what the dealer said.

On a side note, a small gripe about this RIC listing. It is given a separate number because of the bare-headed captive; who is normally wearing a Phrygian cap. This should have merely been a footnote...but until I write the update to RIC, I will follow its rules. 

You can't even make up this stuff! Seller's description--

Ancient Roman Coin Bracelet in Sterling Silver – A Piece of History on Your Wrist

Step into the past with this exclusive Roman coin bracelet, meticulously crafted in sterling silver and adorned with nine authentic Roman coins. Each coin tells a story, carrying the legacy of emperors, conquests, and a civilization that shaped the world

Each coin is authentic, dating back centuries, making this a true collector's treasure.
Elegantly set in high-quality silver, enhancing both beauty and durability
A perfect blend of history and style, ideal for collectors, history lovers, and those who appreciate rare jewelry.

This bracelet isn't just an accessory—it's a conversation piece, a wearable artifact, and a connection to antiquity. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a lover of fine jewelry, or seeking a meaningful gift, this Roman coin bracelet is a rare and captivating treasure.

Note: Each coin has been carefully selected for authenticity and aesthetic appeal. Due to their age, some natural wear adds to their historic charm.

Valentinian III
A.D. 425-435
12mm   1.3g
[DN VALENTINIANVS PF AVG]; pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
VOT PVB; campgate with no doors and two turrets, Q above.
In ex. RQM
RIC X Rome 2123