Roman Coins of the London Mint 296-325 AD

[Header Coin photo]
Constantius, RIC Vol. VI (Londinium) No. 14a ........ Galerius, RIC Vol. VI (Londinium) No. 15
Header Images - Representative Coins

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

Roman coins in all denominations and from a wide array of official (and sometimes unofficial) mints were used, and hoarded, throughout the period of Roman occupation of Britain: 43-410 AD. Additionally, "barbarous imitative" coins were produced and circulated from time to time throughout the same period. Four mints were established and operated in Roman Britain:

An unofficial (not sanctioned by Rome) mint founded by the Usurper Augustus Carausius at London (Londinium) in 286 AD and perpetuated by his successor Allectus.
A second unofficial mint also founded by Carausius at (uncertainly) Colchester/Camulodunum/Clausentum in 286 AD. Likewise, this mint was continued by Allectus but was abandoned after his death in 295 AD.
An official mint established in 296 AD at London after the defeat of Allectus by Constantius, Tetrarch Caesar of the West, that was essentially the Carausius/Allectus mint re-opened by the Tetrarchy of Diocletian. This mint, with one officina (workshop), continued to operate under succeeding Tetrarchs and the Constantinians until 325 AD.
An official mint founded by Magnus Maximus at London (now designated Augusta) in 383 AD that continued to produce coinage until 388 AD.

These web pages are devoted to the coinage produced by the London Mint: 296-325 AD

Only aes (bronze) coins -- named Follis -- composed of an alloy of copper (by far the largest constituent), tin, lead, silver (and with a silver surface wash?) were produced by the London Mint. The size and weight of these coins steadily diminished throughout this period. Coins were initially approx. 28 mm in diameter (approx. 11 grams) gradually declining to approx. 20 mm diameter (approx. 3 grams) -- and less -- by the time the mint closed in 325 AD. Similarly, the silver content declined from approx. 3% to 4% to approx. 1% to 2%.

Sutherland suggests (The Roman Imperial Coinage, Volume VI, page 113) that the official London Mint did not produce the first coins until 297 AD.

Imperial Personages depicted on the obverse of London Mint coins: 296-325 AD

Diocletian -- as Augustus
Maximian -- as Augustus
Galerius -- as Caesar & Augustus
Constantius -- as Caesar & Augustus
Maximinus Daia -- as Caesar & Augustus
Severus -- as Caesar & Augustus
Constantine -- as Caesar & Augustus
Licinius -- as Augustus
Crispus -- as Caesar
Constantine II -- as Caesar
Constantius II -- as Caesar
Helena -- as Augusta
Fausta -- as Augusta

References:

DIOCLETIAN AND THE TETRARCHY, Roger Rees, Edinburgh University Press Ltd, (2004).
IN PRAISE OF LATER ROMAN EMPERORS (The Panegyrici Latini), Rodgers, Barbara Saylor & C. E. V. Nixon, University of California Press, (1995).
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 et al).
THE ROMAN IMPERIAL COINAGE (RIC), Volume VII, Constantine and Licinius (AD 313-337), Patrick M. Bruun, Spink & Son Ltd, London (1967 et al).
Experimental Investigation of Silvering in Late Roman Coinage, C. Vlachou, J.G. McDonnell, and R.C. Janaway, University of Bradford, Material Research Society, (2007).
Metallurgy of Constantinian "Bronzes" - Victor Clark's excellent reference.
Doug Smith's Reference Pages - provide a wealth of very valuable information.
London Mint: AD 296-325 -- a compilation by Ken Elks that includes RIC references, production dates, weight ranges, mint marks, Augustus associations and a link to his page Obverse & Reverse types and legends used at the London Mint AD 296-325.
Constantine the Great coins.com - Victor Clark's extensive Web Site.

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ROMAN COINS OF THE LONDON MINT: 296-325 AD