Campgates
Collecting campgates is one of the more popular themes for
Roman coin collectors. These coins cover more than one
hundred and fifty years; with most of the rulers
represented. There is a debate about what is actually
portrayed on the reverse. Are they military campgates or
city gates. The most prolific reverse type is the
PROVIDENTIAE AVGG; which translates as " [In honor of] The
Foresight of the Emperors." This might just merely be a
slogan praising all the Emperors for the security of the
Empire; so more of an abstract thought, rather than a
specific type of construction. These campgates should not
be confused with coins from Roman provinces; which
certainly issued coins with city gates. However, the
argument for campgate is strengthened by the reverse type
issued by Valentinian III. This reverse was CAST VIC and
castrum is a Roman camp/fort. The coins below have
primarily been catalogued using the appropriate volume of
"Roman Imperial Coinage." During the Constantinian period,
all fifteen mints in the Roman Empire struck campgates;
with most being common; making a type set that is easy to
finish.
RIC VI
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Rome |
Diocletian
A.D. 294 AR Argenteus 18mm 3.3g DIOCLETIANVS AVG; laureate head right. VIRTVS MILITVM; four tetrarchs sacrificing over tripod before gate in six turreted enclosure. RIC VI Rome 27a |
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Nicomedia |
Diocletian
A.D. 295 AR Argenteus 19mm 3.3g DIOCLETIANVS AVG; laureate head right. VICTORIAE SARMATICAE; four turreted campgate, open, with doors thrown back; each turret surmounted by facing eagle. In ex. SMNΓ RIC VI Nicomedia 22a |
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Cyzicus |
Maximinus II
A.D. 308 Ӕ follis 26mm 6.1g GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; laureate head right. VIRTVS MILITVM; campgate with portcullis surmounted by four turrets. In ex. MKΓ RIC VI Cyzicus 40 |
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RIC VII |
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London |
Constantine I
A.D. 324-5 19x21mm 3.3g CONSTANT-INVS AVG; Laureate head right. PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG; campgate with two turrets and ✶ between them, • in bottom of doorway and in brick over arch. in ex. PLON RIC VII London 293 variation; LMCC 10.02.001 |
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| Constantine I A.D. 324-5 19x21mm 3.3g CONSTAN-TINVS AG; Laureate head right. PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG; campgate with two turrets and ✶ between them, • in bottom of doorway. in ex. PLON• RIC VII London 294 variation; LMCC 10.02.002 (this coin cited and illustrated) |
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Lyon
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Constantine I A.D. 324-5 AE nummus 19mm 3.0g CONSTAN-TINVS AVG; Laureate head right. PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG; campgate with two turrets and ✶ between them. in ex. PLG RIC VII Lyon 225 |
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Trier |
Constantine I A.D. 326 AE nummus 19mm 3.2g CONSTAN-TINVS AVG Laureate head right. PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG; campgate, two turrets, no doors, star above. In ex. STR • in crescent RIC VII Trier 475 |
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Arles
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Constantine I A.D. 327 20x21mm 3.6g CONSTAN-TINVS AVG; laureate head right. PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG; campgate, two turrets, no doors, star above; S-F across fields. In ex. ARLS RIC VII Arles 309 |
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| Constantine I A.D. 328 Ӕ follis 19x20mm 3.1g CONSTAN-TINVS AVG; pearl-diademed head right. VIRTV-S AVGG; campgate with wide open doors, four turrets, star above , across fields S-F in ex. ARLS RIC VII Arles 314 |
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Rome
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Constantine I A.D. 318- 319 19mm 2.9g CONSTANTINVS AVG; helmet with feather crest, cuirassed bust right. VIRTVS AVGG; campgate with no doors and three turrets; across fields P-R In ex. RT RIC VII Rome 167 the helmet has a crest made from feathers instead of the usual horsehair |
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| Constantine I A.D. 318- 319 18mm 2.9g CONST-ANTINVS AVG; laureate helmet, cuirassed bust right. VIRTV-S AVGG, campgate with three turrets and windows and closed gate, in fields P/R In ex. RT RIC VII Rome 176 |
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| Constantine I A.D. 318- 319 18x19mm 3.1g CONSTANTINVS AVG; bust right with feather crested helmet. VIRTVS AVGG, campgate with three turrets and windows and closed gate, in fields P/R In ex. RP RIC VII Rome – Not in RIC…Should be listed after 176 |
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| Constantine I A.D. 318- 319 19mm 3.1g CON-STANTI-NVS AVG; cuirassed and helmeted bust left, spear pointing forward and shield on left arm. VIRTVS AVGG; campgate with closed doors and three turrets, across fields P-R In ex. RP RIC VII Rome 178 |
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| Crispus A.D. 318- 319 18x19mm 3.0gm CRISPVS NOB CAES; laureate and cuirassed bust left, with spear pointing forward, shield on left arm. VIRTV-S AVGG; campgate with three turrets and closed gates, arch over gates; P/R across fields. In ex. RQ RIC VII Rome 180 RIC lists only officina P |
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| Constantine I A.D. 318- 319 19x20mm 3.3g CONSTANTINVS AVG; laureate helmeted and cuirassed bust right. VIRTVS AVGG; camp gate with four turrets, across fields P-R In ex. RP RIC VII Rome 185 Workshop not in RIC |
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| Constantine II A.D. 318- 319 19x20mm 3.2gm CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. VIRTV-S AVGG; campgate with four turrets and no doors; P-R across fields. in ex. RP RIC VII Rome -- should come after RIC VII Rome 189 |
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| Constantine I A.D. 318- 319 19mm 3.4g CO-NSTANTI-NVS AVG; cuirassed and laureate helmeted bust left, spear pointing forward and shield on left. VIRTVS AVGG; camp gate with open doors and four turrets, across fields P-R In ex. RS RIC VII Rome – Not in RIC…Should be listed after 190 |
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| Constantine I A.D. 324- 325 19mm 3.0g CONSTAN-TINVS AVG; Laureate head right. PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG; campgate, two turrets, no doors, star above. In ex. RP RIC VII Rome 264 |
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Ticinum
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Constantius II A.D. 326 19x20mm 3.6g FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left. PROVIDEN-TIAE CAESS; campgate with two turrets and star between them. in ex. Q crescent T RIC VII Ticinum 201 |
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| Constantine I A.D. 326- 327 19mm 2.5gm CONSTANTINVS AVG; laureate head right. DN CONSTANTINI MAX AVG; campgate with two turrets, star between them. In ex. P branch T RIC VII Ticinum 205 |
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Siscia
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Constantine I A.D. 326- 327 18mm 3.3gm CONSTAN-TINVS AVG; Laureate head right. PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG; camp gate, two turrets, no doors, star above. in ex. •BSIS• RIC VII Siscia 200 |
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| Constantine I A.D. 328-9 18x19mm 3.1g CONSTAN-TINVS AVG; Laureate head right PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG; campgate with 18 rows, two turrets, no doors, star above. in ex. delta SIS double crescent RIC VII Siscia 214 18 rows |
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Thessalonica
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Constantine I A.D. 326- 328 AE nummus 19mm 3.0g CONSTAN-TINVS AVG; laureate head right. PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG; campgate with two turrets and star between them, dot in right. in ex. SMTSA RIC VII Thessalonica 153 |
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Heraclea
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Licinius I Circa A.D. 315 20mm 2.4gm IMP LICINIVS AVG; laur., dr., globe, scepter in l. hand, mappa in r.hand. PROVIDENTIAE AVGG NN; campgate with three turrets and no doors, A in right field. in ex. SMHT RIC VII Heraclea— The mintmark is not listed in RIC for the campgate series |
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| Constantine I A.D. 317 AE nummus 20mm 4.0g IMP CONSTA-NTINVS AVG; laur., dr., globe, scepter in l. hand, mappa in r.hand PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG [In honor of the foresight of the Emperors] campgate with three turrets and no doors. in ex. MHTB RIC VII Heraclea 16 Constantine is depicted in consular dress as he is consul for the 5th time |
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| Constantine II A.D. 318- 320 18mm 2.4g D N FL CL CONSTANTINVS NOB C; laureate, draped, globe and sceptre in left hand, mappa in right hand. PROVIDEN-TIAE CAESS; campgate with three turrets and no doors, • in right field. in ex. SMHE RIC VII Heraclea 32 |
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| Constantine II A.D. 325- 326 19mm 3.5g CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. PROVIDEN-TIAE CAESS; campgate with two turrets and star between them. in ex. SMHΓ RIC VII Heraclea 77 |
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Constantinople
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Constantine I A.D. 326-327 Ӕ nummus 19mm 3.4g CONSTANTINVS AVG; Laureate head right. PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG; camp gate, two turrets, no doors, • in archway, ✶ above; in left field A. in ex. CONS RIC VII Constantinople 7 |
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| Crispus A.D. 326 19mm 2.7g CRISPVS NOB CAES; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. PROVIDEN-TIAE CAESS; campgate with two turrets and star between them; in left field B. in ex. CONS RIC VII Constantinople 8 |
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| Constantius II A.D. 326- 327 Ӕ nummus 18mm 2.7g FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left. PROVIDEN-TIAE CAESS; campgate with two turrets and star between them, in left field A in ex. CONS RIC VII Constantinople 10/21 Both RIC numbers are identical |
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| Constantius II A.D. 327 Ӕ nummus 19mm 3.2g FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left. PROVIDEN-TIAE CAESS; campgate with two turrets and star between them, in left field Γ in ex. CONS RIC VII Constantinople 21 |
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| Constantius II A.D. 328 17x19mm 1.8g FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. PROVIDEN-TIAE CAESS; campgate with two turrets and star between them, in field S in ex. CONS• RIC VII Constantinople 28 Not in RIC for mintmark |
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Nicomedia
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Crispus A.D. 324-325 19mm 3.1gm FL IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left. PROVIDEN-TIAE CAESS; campgate with two turrets and star between them. in ex. SMNB RIC VII Nicomedia 91 |
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| Constantine I A.D. 325-6 18x19mm 3.3g CONSTAN-TINVS AVG; Laureate head right. PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG; campgate, two turrets, no doors, star above. In ex. MNΔ RIC VII Nicomedia 121 Ex Giovanni Dattari (1858-1923) |
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| Constantius II A.D. 325- 326 18mm 2.8gm FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left. PROVIDEN-TIAE CAES •; campgate with two turrets and star between them; • in doorway. in ex. MNS cf. RIC VII Nicomedia 128 unusual dot in arch of doorway |
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| Constantine I A.D. 326-7 19mm 3.0g CONSTAN-TINVS AVG; Laureate head right. PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG; campgate, two turrets, no doors, star above. In ex. NE RIC VII Nicomedia 144 |
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| Constantius II A.D. 325-6 18x19mm 3.3g FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C; Laureate draped and cuirassed bust left. PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG; campgate, two turrets, no doors, star above. In ex. SMNΔ RIC VII Nicomedia -- This Constantius II is paired with a reverse for Constantine I. The reverse is either RIC VII Nicomedia 90 (A.D. 324- 5) or RIC VII Nicomedia 155 (A.D. 328- 9) |
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| Constantius II A.D. 328- 329 Ӕ nummus 18x19mm 2.9gm FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C; bare- headed, draped and cuirassed bust left. PROVIDEN-TIAE CAES •; campgate with two turrets and star between them. in ex. SMNΔ RIC VII Nicomedia -- Not in RIC for the bare-headed bust |
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Cyzicus
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Constantine I A.D. 324-325 18mm 3.5g CONSTAN-TINVS AVG; Laureate head right. PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG; campgate, two turrets, no doors, star above. In ex. SMKΓ RIC VII Cyzicus 24 |
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| Constantine II A.D. 325- 326 Ӕ nummus 18x19mm 3.8gm CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left. PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG; campgate with two turrets and star between them. in ex. SMKE• cf. RIC VII Cyzicus 37 mule…paired with a Constantine I reverse (RIC VII Cyzicus 34) |
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| Constantius II A.D. 326- 327 19x20mm 3.2g FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C; Laureate (resembles pearls), draped and cuirassed bust left. PROVIDEN-TIAE CAESS; campgate with two turrets and star between them. in ex. •SMKΔ• RIC VII Cyzicus 48 |
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| Constantine II A.D. 327- 328 Ӕ nummus 17x19mm 2.6gm CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C; Laureate (resembles pearls) and draped bust left, with buckler on left shoulder. PROVIDEN-TIAE CAESS; campgate with two turrets and star between them; • in left. in ex. SMKΓ cf. RIC VII Cyzicus 52 Not in RIC with buckler...though the plate coin also has a buckler |
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| Constantine I A.D. 328-9 18x20mm 3.1g CONSTAN-TINVS AVG; diademed head, looking up to Heavens. PROVIDEN-TIAE AVG; campgate with two turrets and star above. In exergue SMKB • RIC VII Cyzicus 57 |
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| Constantine I A.D. 329- 330 17x18mm 2.3gm CONSTANTI-NVS MAX AVG; rosette- diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG; campgate, two turrets, no doors, star above. In ex. SMKS RIC VII Cyzicus 61 Ex Giovanni Dattari |
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Antioch
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Constantine II A.D. 330 19mm 3.1gm CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB CAES; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left. PROVIDEN-TIAE CAESS; campgate with two turrets and star between them. in ex. SMANTS RIC VII Antioch 65 |
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| Constantine I A.D. 327- 328 AE nummus 19mm 3.1g CONSTAN-TINVS AVG; diademed head right. PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG; campgate, two turrets, no doors, star above; delta- epsilon across fields. In ex. SMANT RIC VII Antioch 78 |
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| Constantine I A.D. 327- 328 Ӕ nummus 19mm 3.2g CONSTANTI-NVS MAX AVG; rosette diademed, draped and cuirassed bust. PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG; campgate, two turrets, no doors, star above. In ex. SMANTA RIC VII Antioch 84 |
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Alexandria
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Constantine I A.D. 325- 326 AE nummus 19mm 3.5g CONSTAN-TINVS AVG; laureate head right. PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG; campgate, two turrets, no doors, star above. In ex. SMALB RIC VII Alexandria 34 |
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| Constantius II A.D. 325- 6 19mm 3.4gm FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C; laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left. PROVIDEN-TIAE CAESS; campgate with two turrets, star above. In ex. SMALB RIC VII Alexandria 37 |
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RIC IX |
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Trier |
Valens A.D. 364- 378 Ӕ nummus 22mm 4.4g D N VALEN-S P F AVG; pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. GLORI-A ROMA-NORVM; campgate with two turrets, no doors; S above. in ex. SMTR RIC IX Trier 29b |
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Thessalonica |
Theodosius I A.D. 384- 388 20mm 2.3g DN THEODO-SIVS PF AVG; pearl diademed, draped in imperial mantle, holding mappa and scepter. GLORIA REI-PVBLICE; campgate with two turrets, Tau-Rho between them. In ex. TES RIC IX Thessalonica 59b |
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| Arcadius A.D. 384- 388 12mm 1.1gm DN ARCADIVS P F AVG; pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. GLORIA REIPVBLICE; campgate with windows and two turrets gamma in left. In ex. TES RIC IX Thessalonica 62 Note the two windows |
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RIC X |
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Rome |
Valentinian III A.D. 425-455 11mm 1.2g [D N VALEN AVG]; pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. [CAST] VIC; campgate with no doors and two turrets, star above. RIC X Rome 2163 |
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unofficial Campgates
Arles
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Constantine I, 307/310-337. Follis
(Bronze, 21 mm, 2.9g ), a contemporary imitation of
an issue from Arelate. Irregular mint, after 324.
CONSTAN-TINVS A[VG] Laureate head of Constantine I
to right. Rev. [PRO]VIDEN-TIAE CAESS / [...]✱AR
Campgate with open doors and two turrets; above,
star. Cf. RIC 264 (for prototype). This unofficial issue pairs a Constantine I obverse with a Caesar reverse. It was struck over a Cyzikus IOVI coin, RIC VII 15. The original legend C VAL LICIN LICI remains visible on the obverse, along with part of a radiate head; on the reverse, IOVI CON_ and the mint mark SMK_ are discernible. The Licinius coin had been withdrawn from circulation in Constantine's territory. By overstriking it with a western type, the irregular mint allowed it to re-enter circulation. |
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| Constantine I Circa A.D. 327 18mm 2.3g CONSTANTINVS AVG; Laureate head right. [PROVIDENTIAE AVGG]; camp gate with two turrets and star between them. In ex. ARTS Cf. RIC VII Arles 312 |
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| Constantine I Circa A.D. 327 15x19mm 2.1g CONSTA-NTINVS AV; laureate head right. VIRTVS CAESS; gateway with wide open doors, four turrets, star above; S-F across fields. In ex. ARLT• Cf. RIC VII Arles 315 from the Carleton St Peter Hoard |
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Rome
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Diocletian circa A.D. 294 17x18mm 2.4g DIOCLETIANVS AVG; laureate head right. VIRTVS MILITVM; four tetrarchs sacrificing over tripod before gate in six turreted enclosure. cf. RIC VI Rome 27a |
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Ticinum
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Constantine II A.D. 326 18x19mm 2.6gm CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left. PROVIDEN-TIAE CAESS; camp gate with two turrets and star between them. In ex. T crescent T Cf. RIC VII Ticinum 200 |
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modified on 10 Feb 2025