BRITANNIC COINAGE OF CONSTANTIUS

INTERMEDIATE GROUP & LONDON MINT COINS

The re-opening of the London Mint by Constantius, the Intermediate Group coinage proposed by Bastien and the production of coins in Britain catalogued in RIC, Vol. VI, LONDINIUM as Group I (presenting problems of great difficulty according to Sutherland in his introductory notes). I frequently post notes and addenda on this integral Message Board. Visitor posts, including questions, are most welcome.

After his restoration of Britain to the Empire, Constantius re-opened the London Mint -- now as an official facility with one officina (workshop) -- which continued to operate until its closure in 325.

I subscribe to the hypothesis that much of the early unmarked coinage was produced at the London Mint using British die engravers and other workers, formerly employed by the Carausius - Allectus Mints, now supervised and mixed in with Lugdunese mint workers who accompanied the Constantius invasion force.

This image is an enlarged photograph of the obverse of an Intermediate Group Constantius follis (tentative attribution).

Re-opening of the London Mint in 296

NOTES RELATING TO THE EARLY COINAGE PRODUCED IN BRITAIN

• The first folles produced by the re-opened London Mint featured Lugdunese style laureate head facing right obverses and Genius reverses with LON (mint mark) in the exergue. The inscriptional legends feature the typical British smaller, more compact and thicker letterforms.
• Reverse axis is 6 o'clock for all series.
• The Genius of the Roman People reverse with the legend GENIO POPVLI ROMANI continues for this coinage. Genius is depicted standing, head surmounted by modius, naked except for chlamys over left shoulder, holding patera in right hand and cradling cornucopia in left arm. Peripheral legends read clockwise.
• The "Intermediate Group" folles, coming directly after the LON issues but before the folles of Class II, were first proposed by Bastien. In his proposal these coins fall into two groups, those with laureate heads and those with laureate, cuirassed busts (both of Lugdunese style) and with British style inscriptional lettering.
• The Obverse head with the laurel wreath long ribbon end draped on the portrait neck, a recurring feature on the pre-invasion unknown Continental Mint coinage, is also found on Intermediate Group coinage.
• Whereas the pre-invasion coinage of the unknown Continental Mint featured inscriptional lettering with delicate and relatively large letterforms, the Intermediate Group coinage featured the typical British smaller, more compact and thicker lettering.
• The LON marked and Intermediate Group coinage portraiture bears the unmistakable stamp of Lugdunese die engravers.
• John Jencek (JJancek coins & antiquities) opines that the LON marked coinage was an experiment that was subsequently abandoned in favor of the unmarked coinage.
• The Londinium Class IIa coinage in particular (small head on a tall neck) appears to have been considerably influenced by, and indeed may be mostly the work of, British die engravers who formerly rendered those portrait styles at the Carausius and Allectus Mints.
• The Londinium Class II (b) and Lugdunum Class I coinage presents some unique attribution problems. Londinium, No. 20 and Lugdunum No. 18 have identical descriptions. If you subscribe to the RIC conspectus then the portait and laureate crown ribbon styles (if present) are the attribution determinants. However, if you subscribe to Bastien's assessment of the Lugdunum Class I (unmarked) folles then there can be no Lugdunum attribution (only for 14a, 14b, 17a, 17b). Londinium No. 22 and Lugdunum No. 21 also have identical descriptions. What about the remaining Lugdunum Class I folles? Maybe they are Intermediate Group coins?
• In his introduction to the Londinium section of RIC VI, Sutherland raises the possibility that the Unmarked Class II (a & b) folles may have been produced in Britain by a re-opened Carausius/Allectus "C" Mint (or travelling Mint), thereby accounting for the somewhat rough style portraiture - particularly the "small head on a tall neck" busts of Class IIa coins which are reminiscent of many Carausius/Allectus issues (?). Sutherland does not seem to pursue this theory, however.
• Lord Stewartby's 1998 Numismatic Chronicle article "Early Tetrarchic Coins of London from the Market Stainton Finds" contains much valuable information relating to the early British coinage. However, I find it hard to follow at times as the categorization scheme he uses is different from that used by Sutherland for RIC Volume VI, Londinium, Group I, coins:

Categorization according to Sutherland (RIC):

• Group I:
• (i) ......................... RIC No. 1-5
• (ii), Class II(a) ... RIC No. 6-16
• (ii), Class II(b) ... RIC No. 17-22
• (iii), Class III ...... RIC No. 23-39
• Note: Group II follows ........... RIC No. 40-100

Categorization according to Lord Stewartby:

• Group I ....... RIC No. 1-5
• Group II ..... RIC No. 6-22
• Group IIa ... RIC No. 6-16
• Group IIb ... RIC No. 17-22
• Group III .... RIC No. 23-39

Tentative Attributions:

• In light of the numerous issues raised, first by Bastien and later by Stewartby, relating to the "Intermediate Group" coinage, it is sometimes difficult to attribute RIC Volume VI, Londinium, Group I, coins (No. 6-39) with any certitude - especially since there are very few plate coin illustrations in RIC to compare against. In addition to inscriptional letterform differences, there are several Cuirass configuration nuances, on which Stewartby in particular places such emphasis, and wreath ribbon tie variances that must be considered. Because of all these factors, I have appended "tentative attribution" to these coins when I am uncertain of their designation.

Attribution Notes (2009-11-27):

• There are no serious attribution problems for Class I coins (laureate, bare head, with LON in reverse exergue).
• There are no issues in the name of DIOCLETIAN in Class II (a) - laureate, cuirass bust, with small head on tall head.
• Head and neck size variance and portraiture style may cause some attribution problems for the following issues:
  • MAXIMIAN HERCULIUS: RIC No. 6b versus No. 17 - identical obverse legend: IMP C MAXIMIANVS PF AVG
  • CONSTANTIUS: RIC No. 14a versus No. 20 versus No. 30 - identical obverse legend: FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB C
  • GALERIUS MAXIMIAN: RIC No. 15 versus No. 21 versus No. 35 - identical obverse legend: MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES

Initial series of coins produced at the London Mint in 297

The initial folles c. 297, again issued in the names of Diocletian & Maximian Herculius as Augustus and Constantius & Galerius Maximian as Caesar, closely followed the design, size and weight of the "Unknown Continental Mint" coinage except they now bore a LON mint mark in the reverse exergue.

---

RIC Volume VI, Londinium, Group I, (i), folles, No. 1-5, c. 297, 11.0-9.5 gm, 28/26 mm. Obverses and Reverses in the style of the "Unknown Continental Mint" pre-invasion coinage. Laureate head, right, with bare neck truncation.

---

RIC VI, Londinium, Diocletian, No. 1a (1)

IMP C DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG .............. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI | LON

actual size of coin
weight: 9.5 grams

It is now generally accepted that these LON mint marked, and succeeding unmarked, folles were indeed produced in Britain.

Intermediate Group (Bastien) unmarked coins

Following is my concept of how the Intermediate Group coinage of Bastien might be incorporated into the RIC VOLUME VI, LONDINIUM, GROUP I classification scheme. Of course, RIC itself can only be changed by the Publisher.

Group I folles

LON mint mark and laureate heads

Intermediate Group - unmarked with Lugdunum style heads/busts and London style lettering
.......... (a) laureate heads
.......... (b) laureate and cuirassed busts

unmarked with cuirassed busts
......... (a) With small heads on tall necks
......... (b) With larger, elongated heads on shorter necks

unmarked with large, spread busts

---

Intermediate Group (Bastien) -- unmarked folles with Lugdunum style heads/busts and London style lettering .......... (a) with laureate heads .......... (b) with laureate and cuirassed busts.

---

RIC VI, Londinium, Galerius, Intermediate Group (a) - laureate head

C VAL MAXIMIANVS NOB C ........................... GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

actual size of coin
weight: 10.0 grams

Lugdunese style "strong jawed" portrait head with the laurel wreath long ribbon laying on the neck. The obverse bears the early titulature legend rendered using the typical British small, compact and thick lettering.

---

RIC VI, Londinium, Constantius Intermediate Group (b) - Laureate, Cuirassed, Bust (tentative attribution)

FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB C ........................... GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

actual size of coin
weight: 8.8 grams

Lugdunese style "strong jawed" portrait bust, large fibula and laurel wreath long ribbon laying on the neck - similar to RIC Vol. VI, Plate 3, Lugdunum, No. 32b. The obverse bears the early titulature legend rendered using the typical British relatively small, compact and thick lettering, while the reverse has the typical Lugdunum somewhat larger and more delicate letterforms.

Succeeding unmarked Group I folles

The obverse busts are mostly simply curaissed, however, some are also draped and/or with helmets, spears and shields, etc.

---

RIC Volume VI, Londinium, Group I, (ii), folles, Class II, (a), No. 6-16, c. 300 onward, 11.0-9.5 gm, 28/26 mm. Laureate bust, right, cuirassed, or cuirassed and draped - small head on a tall neck, reminiscent of some of the Carausius ~ Allectus coinage.

---

RIC VI, Londinium, Diocletian, No. 6a (1)

IMP C DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG .............................. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

actual size of coin
weight: 10.3 grams

---

RIC VI, Londinium, Diocletian, No. 6a (2)

IMP C DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG .............................. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

actual size of coin
weight: 9.9 grams

---

RIC VI, Londinium, Maximian, No. 6b (tentative attribution) (1)

IMP C MAXIMIANVS PF AVG ................................. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

actual size of coin
weight: 9.7 grams

---

RIC VI, Londinium, Maximian, No. 6b (tentative attribution) (2)

IMP C MAXIMIANVS PF AVG ................................. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

actual size of coin
weight: 9.7 grams

---

RIC VI, Londinium, Constantius, No. 14a (1)

FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB C .............................. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

actual size of coin
weight: 9.1 grams

---

RIC VI, Londinium, Galerius, No. 15 (tentative attribution) (1)

MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES .............................. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

actual size of coin
weight: 9.6 grams

---

RIC VI, Londinium, Galerius, No. 15 (2)

MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES .............................. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

actual size of coin
weight: 11.6 grams

---

RIC Volume VI, Londinium, Group I, (ii), folles, Class II, (b), No. 17-22, c. 300 onward, 10.8-9.0 gm, 27/26 mm. Laureate bust, right, cuirassed, or cuirassed and draped - shorter necks and proportional heads.

---

RIC VI, Londinium, Maximian, No. 17 (tentative attribution) (1)

IMP C MAXIMIANVS PF AVG ................................. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

actual size of coin
weight: 8.5 grams

---

RIC VI, Londinium, Constantius, No. 20 (2)

FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB C ........................... GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

actual size of coin
weight: 8.9 grams

---

RIC VI, Londinium, Galerius, No. 21 (tentative attribution) (1)

MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES .............................. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

actual size of coin
weight: 10.2 grams

---

RIC VI, Londinium, Constantius, No. 22 (tentative attribution) (1)

CONSTANTIVS NOB C ................................. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

actual size of coin
weight: 11.9 grams

---

RIC Volume VI, Londinium, Group I, (iii), folles, Class III, No. 23-39, c. 303 onward, 10.8-9.0 gm, 27/26 mm. Large, spread, laureate bust, right, cuirassed, or cuirassed and draped.

---

RIC VI, Londinium, Maximian Herculius, No. 25 (1)

IMP MAXIMIANVS PF AVG ................................. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

actual size of coin
weight: 10.2 grams

---

RIC VI, Londinium, Diocletian, No. 28a (1)

IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG ................................. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

actual size of coin
weight: 9.7 grams

---

RIC VI, Londinium, Diocletian, No. 28a (2)

IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG ................................. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

actual size of coin
weight: 9.7 grams

---

RIC VI, Londinium, Galerius Maximian, No. 33 (1)

MAXIMIANVS NOBIL C ................................. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

actual size of coin
weight: 10.2 grams

---

RIC VI, Londinium, Galerius Maximian, No. 33 (tentative attribution) (2)

MAXIMIANVS NOBIL C ................................. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

actual size of coin
weight: 9.8 grams

---

RIC VI, Londinium, Constantius, No. 37a (1)

CONSTANTIVS NOB C ................................. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

actual size of coin
weight: 9.2 grams

---

RIC VI, Londinium, Constantius, No. 37a (2)

CONSTANTIVS NOB C ................................. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

actual size of coin
weight: 10.7 grams

---

RIC Volume VI (Londinium), Group II, (i), No. 40-77, May 305-early 307, 11.0-9.0 gm, 28/26 mm. Well proportioned obverse busts.

This series, the numbering sequence of which does not represent chronological issue (true of most RIC numbering), includes the last London Mint coins to be issued during the lifetime of Constantius who died in Britain at York on 25 July 306 during a campaign against the warlike tribes of the North. Obviously coins with obverse legends showing Severus as Augustus (40, 46, 52c ) and Constantine as Caesar (66, 67b, 71, 72, 73) were not issued while Constantius was still alive.

---

RIC VI, Londinium, Severus, No. 59a (1)

SEVERVS NOBILISSIMVS NOB CAES ................. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

actual size of coin
weight: 10.2 grams

---

RIC VI, Londinium, Maximinus, No. 59b (1)

MAXIMINVS NOBILISSIMVS NOB CAES .............. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

actual size of coin
weight: 10.8 grams

---

The following Abdication issue coin of 305 - depicts Diocletian wearing an Imperial mantle, holding olive branch and mappa. Reverse depicts Providentia extending a hand to Quies (symbolizing tranquility & peaceful rest).

RIC VI, Londinium, Diocletian, No. 77a -- my exemplar coin jp677a

Obverse inscription: DN DIOCLETIANO FELICISSIMO SEN AVG
Reverse inscription: PROVIDENTIA DEORVM QVIES AVGG

actual size of coin
weight: 10.5 grams

References and Resources

• BASTIEN, Pierre -- L'emission _ de l'atelier de Lugdunum, Schweizer Munzabl_tter no. 50 (March 1964), p. 34-35.
• BASTIEN, Pierre -- Some comments on the coinage of the London Mint c.296, Numismatic Chronicle Ser. 7,
• LORD STEWARTBY -- Some rare and unpublished roman coins of the London Mint in the Paris collection
• LORD STEWARTBY -- "Early Tetrarchic Coins of London from the Market Stainton Finds", 1998 Numismatic Chronicle article.
• THE ROMAN IMPERIAL COINAGE (RIC), Volume VI, Diocletian's reform (AD 294) to the death of Maximinus (AD 313), C. H. V. Sutherland, Spink & Son Ltd, London (1967) -- LONDINIUM, pp113-128.
• IN PRAISE OF LATER ROMAN EMPERORS (The Panegyrici Latini), Rodgers, Barbara Saylor & C. E. V. Nixon, University of California Press, (1995) -- VIII, Panegyric of Constantius (with annotations and footnotes).

---

Anyone is granted permission to use content, including images, on this page in accordance with the terms of the appended Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License. Attribution: Used by permission of James Pickering http://jp29.org/

---

Link to go to the Britannic Coinage of Constantius Directory

Or go to my Web Sites & Pages Portal