"
mintmark in the field.

Tripolis minted Roman coins, radiate
"antoniniani" and a few aurei, for a limited time during the reigns
from Aurelian (AD
270-275) through Diocletian and Maximian (284-305). The mint was
probably closed about 286. The Tripolis coins of Aurelian and Tacitus
are not clearly mintmarked, but after Tacitus, Tripolis coins are
marked "TR" in the reverse field. The mint city is normally identified
with the Tripolis south of Antioch (lower right on the map). However,
one scholar, F. Redö, argued the coins were minted at a different
Tripolis (in Phrygia, in Asia Minor, center left on his map reproduced
here) and argues that it was also
the city of the enigmatic mint with mintmark "SPQR" in the exergue
under
Gallienus and Claudius II.
I think the mint is the Tripolis south of Antioch. I list coins
according to
RIC which first
assigns coins to Tripolis under Aurelian. This site lists only
antoniniani, not aurei.
References
Roman Imperial Coinage, volume V, part I, by Percy H. Webb,
1927 and volume V, part II, by Percy H. Webb, 1933. Spink & Son,
London. (
RIC)
D'Aurelien a Florien (270-276 apres J.-C.) by Sylviane Estiot (
Estiot),
Biliotheque National de
France, Monnaies de l'Empire Romain, XII.1. The new (2004)
standard reference for coins of Aurelian, Tacitus, and Florian.
2004 in two volumes.
Aureliano, volume II.1,
Ripostiglio della Venera Nuovo Catalogo Illustrato, by Sylvane Estiot (
Est) . 1995.
"The history of the SPQR mint," by F. Redö, in
Mitteilungen des Archäolgischen Instituts der Ungarnischen
Akademie der Wissenschaften 12/13 1982/1983, Budapest, pages 85-111.
"Analyses de Series Atypiques" by J. P. Callu, Cl. Brenot, and J. N.
Barrandon, in
Numismatica e
Antichita Classiche, VIII, 1979, pages 241-254.
"The alloy of the 'XI' coins of Tacitus" by Warren Esty, Nancy Equall,
and Richard Smith, in Numismatic Chronicle, 1993,
pages 97-226.
Roman Imperial Coins in the Hunter Coin Cabinet, volume IV, by
Anne Robertson, 19878, Oxford University Press. (
Hunter)
Ripostiglio della Venera Nuovo Catalogo Illustrato, Aureliano,
volume II/1, by Sylviane Estiot, 1995
Format
of each entry:
Obverse legend
Reverse legend
(obverse legend variety,
if applicable)
|
RIC
number
and page.
Estiot BN reference (for
Aurelian and Tacitus)
Estiot Aureliano reference
(for Aurelian)
Hunter reference
Other references
|
Reverse type description
(as given in RIC)
mintmark, including field marks
|
IMAGE of obverse and reverse
[click on the images for enlargements]
|
For a short note on the rarity of the types, click here.
What's new?
Tacitus PROVIDENTIA DEORVM type not in RIC. The
first issue, identified by Estiot. March 27, 2005.
Estiot references. March 6, 2005.
A DIVO CARO AVG type listed (but not illustrated),
Sept. 12, 2004.
A Numerian as Augustus added November 30, 2003.
RIC notes on the Tripolis mint
RIC V,I: p.25: Mint established by Aurelian and continued
by his successors.
Aurelian (AD 270-275)
RIC V,I
RIC p.261 a small number of coins from late in the reign, marked * in
field
or KA in exergue, or both
Obverse legend:
IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG
RESTITVT ORBIS
|
RIC#389, p.309.
"C"
Estiot emission 3-5, pages 438-9. Spring 274 - end of 274.
Plates 45-6, 1374-1393
Est 10827-9.
Hunter --
|
Woman presenting wreath to emperor
* in middle field
KA in exergue
|
|
SOLI INVICTO
|
RIC#390, p.309.
Estiot emission 1-2, page 438.
Plate 45, 1368 (nothing in ex.) 1371 (KA in ex.)
Est 10826.
Hunter 34.116-7.
|
Sol stg l, r hand raised, l holding globe; at
foot to l, captive.
* in left field, KA in exergue.
Obverse bust left on the 2 pieces illustrated in Hunter
34.116&117
Hunter: 2 photos of #390 (gF, wk aVF)
|
|
SOLI INVICTO
|
RIC#390, p.309
Estiot emission 1-2, page 438.
Plate 45, 1367 (nothing in ex.). 1369- 1370 and 1372-1373 (KA in ex.). |
Same as above, but bust right.
Both have the same RIC number.
I list them here separately as distinct collectable types.
|
|
The bust left type is rare.
Tacitus
(AD 275-276)
RIC p.325 Still no "TR" mintmark. * over KA
or IA. Letters of irregular sizes; especially "S" and "C"
larger than others
Obverse legend:
IMP C M CL TACITVS AVG
(only the first type has
IMP C M CL TACITVS PF AVG)
PROVIDENTIA
DEORVM
(with PF in obverse legend)
|
Not in RIC.
Estiot emission 1, Nov.-Dec. 275, page 258.
Plate 64,
1838-1840 |
Emperor standing r holding
scepter, receiving globe
from Jupiter stg. l, holding scepter
* over dot over KA, or * over KA
|

|
PROVIDENTIA
DEORVM
(same type as above but without PF,
as are the following issues)
|
Not in RIC.
Estiot emission 1, Nov.-Dec. 275, page 258.
Plate 64, 1839-1841 |
Emperor standing r holding
scepter, receiving globe
from Jupiter stg. l, holding scepter
* over dot over KA, or * over KA |

|
CLEMENTIA TEMP
|
RIC#213, p.348
KA variety
Estiot emission 2
Jan.- June 276
Plate 64, 1845
|
Emperor stg r holding scepter, receiving globe
from Jupiter stg. l, holding scepter
* over KA
|
no image
[See Diocletian 328 below for the reverse type.]
|
| CLEMENTIA TEMP |
RIC#213, p.348
IA variety
Estiot emission 2
Jan.- June 276
Plate 64, 1848
|
Emperor stg r holding scepter,
receiving globe
from Jupiter stg. l, holding scepter
* over IA |
no image, same type as previous.
|
CLEMENTIA TEMP
|
RIC#214
KA variety
Estiot emission 2
Jan.- June 276
Plate 64, 1842-1844
|
Mars stg. or walking l, holding
olive branch and spear and shield. "R"
* in field left, KA in exergue
|
|
CLEMENTIA TEMP
|
RIC#214
IA variety
Plate X.154
"double anoninianus"
Estiot, emission 2,
Jan.- June 276
Plate 64, 1846-1847 |
Mars stg. or walking l, holding
olive branch and spear and shield. "R"
* in field left, IA in
exergue
IA coins are slightly larger in diameter than KA coins.
K is 20 in Greek] and "10 parts copper and 1 of silver" [I is 10 in
Greek]. Therefore the very rare "IA" coins probably indicate a
short-lived and ill-fated coin reform. They certainly would have been
regarded as different by the issuer and users, and deserve two
different reference numbers.
|
|
There are no Tacitus examples in Hunter.
The "IA" type is extremely rare. Callu et al. showed that the "XI" type
of Antioch and the "IA" (Greek for "XI") type of Tripolis had about
twice the silver content of the usual "XXI" and "KA" (Greek for "XXI")
types, conclusively proving that "20 - 1" had to mean either "twenty of
these coins make one [of some higher standard]" or "twenty parts base
metal to one of silver." The latter interpretation has come to be
accepted. Esty, et al. did further work on the alloy of these coins of
Tacitus and again showed that the silver content of the "XI" and "IA"
coins was about twice the silver content of the regular coins and
consistent with the "ten parts base metal to one part silver"
hypothesis. The conclusion is that Tacitus instituted a short-lived and
ill-fated coin reform shortly after they initial reform of Aurelian in
274. Very few of these coins with higher silver content are extant.
This "XI" = "IA" denomination is extremely rare.
Probus
(AD 276-282)
RIC V,II
p.16-17 "considerable output under Probus"
The difference between the two numbers is in the obverse legend --
the second lacks the "PF" of the first.
CLEMENTIA TEMP
(sometimes followed by a dot, as on this example)
IMP C M AVR PROBVS PF AVG
|
#927
p.121
plate V, 15
Hunter 353-354
|
Emp. stg. r holding scepter rec. globe from
Jupiter stg l, holding scepter. Wreath in upper middle field.
XXI in exergue on this example. Other mintmarks include
* in lower middle field above XXI, and nothing, crescent, or T
above KA in exergue ("T" for "Tripolis" according to Carson, Principate, #1034)
[The key difference between #927 and #928 is the obverse legend, not
the mintmark]
|
|
CLEMENTIA TEMP
IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG
|
#928
p.121
plate V, 16
Hunter 349-350
|
Emp. stg. r holding (eagle-tipped) scepter rec.
globe from Jupiter stg l, holding scepter.
Crescent in lower middle field and KA in exergue on this example. Other
mintmarks include nothing, T, or * above KA.
|
|
Hunter 348-355, plate 48, 4 photos.
RIC lists one aureus, "R3".
Carus and Family
p.131 The mintmark always TR over XXI, sometimes with * in upper
field
There is some resemblance to the
coins of Antioch, but the portraits are coarse and ugly. Busts occupy
a greater portion of the field, portraits are less pleasing, and the
lettering is much less regular. As at Antioch, the emperor is always
depicted radiate and draped and cuirassed to the right.
Carus
(AD 282-283)
Obverse legend:
IMP C M AVR CARVS PF AVG
VIRTVS AVGG
(sometimes followed by a dot)
|
#128, p.150
Hunter --
|
Emperor standing right, holding sceptre,
receiving globe from Jupiter (or Carinus) standing left, holding
sceptre.
* in upper field, TR in lower field, XXI in exergue.
|
|
DIVO CARO AVG
/CONSECRATIO
|
#129,
p. 150
Hunter --
|
eagle standing or looking left
T to left, R to right
XXI in exergue
|
no image
|
DIVO CARO AVG
/CONSECRATIO
|
not in RIC
(seen in trade)
|
altar, with garland, T to left,
R to right
XXI in exergue.
|

|
VIRTVS AVGG
IMP C M AVR NVMERIANVS NOB C
|
#380, p.191,
as Caesar
Hunter 16
plate 51.16
(worn aVF)
|
Emperor standing right, holding sceptre,
receiving globe from Jupiter (or Carinus) standing left, holding
sceptre .
* in upper field, TR in lower field, XXI in exergue.
|
|
VIRTVS AVGG
IMP C M AVR NVMERIANVS PF AVG
|
#470, p.202,
as Augustus
|
Emperor standing right, holding sceptre,
receiving globe from Jupiter (or Carinus) standing left, holding
sceptre .
* in upper field, TR in lower field, XXI in exergue.
|

|
These two types differ only the change from Casear to Augustus in the
obverse legend.
Carinus
(AD 282-285)
VIRTVS AVGG
or VIRTVS AVGG<dot>
IMP C M AVR CARINVS NOB C
|
#209, p.165
as Caesar
|
Prince standing right, holding sceptre and
receiving globe from Jupiter (or Carus) standing left, holding sceptre.
[See #329 below for this reverse, but with obverse as Augustus.]
|
No small image. Large image.
[See Carinus 329 below for the reverse type]
|
VICTORIA AVG
IMP M AVR CARINVS PF AVG
|
#328, p.179
as Augustus
|
Emperor standing left, holding sceptre and
receiving wreath from Victory, standing right, holding palm
|
no image
[See Diocletian
330
for the reverse type]
|
VIRTVS AVGG
or VIRTVS AVGG<dot>
IMP C M AVR CARINVS PF AVG
|
#329, p. 179
as Augustus
|
Emperor standing right, holding sceptre
(sometimes eagle-tipped), receiving Victory (with or without globe)
from Jupiter (or Carus) standing let, holding sceptre.
This example has the globe, but not Victory on it.
* in upper field, TR in lower field, XXI in exergue.
|
|
None in Hunter. The fact that #209 as Caesar and #329 as Augustus our
otherwise similar suggests that type #329 preceded type #328. Also,
type #328 was continued by Diolcletian, and #329 was not, suggesting
the
same thing.
Diocletian
p.218 "no great numbers" probably
ceased between "290-293 " AD. There are none for the Caesars
elevated in 293.
p.257 7 varieties, 3 common, 4 rare, still TR in field low
Obverse legend:
IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P
F AVG (except #333 omiting PF)
IOV ET HERCV CONSER AVGG
[note: two G's]
|
#327
p.257
|
Jupiter standing right holding globe and
sceptre, facing Hercules standing left, holding Victory, club, as
lion's skin
XXI with palm left ro right in exergue
|
No small image. Large
image.
[see Maximian 624 for the type (below)]
|
IOVI CONSERVATORI AVG
[note: one "G"]
|
#328
Hunter 75, plate 54.75
(Fine)
|
Emperor standing right, holding sceptre,
receiving Victory on glove from Jupiter standing let, holding sceptre.
XXI in exergue
|
|
IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG
[note: two G's]
|
#329
|
Emperor standing right, holding sceptre,
receiving Victory on glove from Jupiter standing let, holding sceptre.
<palm>XXI in exergue
[The object held by the emperor is described by RIC as a "sceptre", but
this may be the same object described by RIC and below as a
"parazonium" (a short sword worn at the waist) under Maximian
#626.]
|
|
IOVI CONSERVATORI AVG
[note: one "G"]
|
#330
|
Victory r holding palm, presenting wreath to emp
holding globe and scepter
XXI in exergue
|
|
IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG
|
#331
|
Victory r holding palm, presenting wreath to emp
holding globe and scepter
XXI<palm> in exergue
|
|
VICTORIA AVG
|
#332
|
Victory r holding palm, presenting wreath to emp
holding globe and scepter
XXI in exergue
|
no image
[See the next type for the reverse type.]
|
VICTORIA AVG
[same as above except PF omitted in the obverse legend]
|
#333
|
Victory r holding palm, presenting wreath to emp
holding globe and scepter
XXI in exergue
|
|
#328, #330, and #333 have reverse legend with only one G, which
probably means they were minted in the time before Maximianus was made
co-Augustus. I argue the mint closed c. 286-287. The ratio of the
number
of examples of Diocletian as sole Augustus to Diocletian as joint
Augustus
suggests the mint was not open long under Maximian. Also, the ratio of
the
number of examples of Diocletian to the number of Maximian suggests it
was
not open long under Maximian. I conclude it was open about as long
under
Maximian as it was under Diocletian before Maximian was elevated --
say,
a only year or two -- that is, until 286 or 287.
Maximian
p.294-5 3 varieties, 2 common, 1 rare.
Obverse legend:
IMP C MAXIMIANVS PF AVG
IOV ET HERCV CONSER AVGG
(as Diocletian 327)
|
#624, p.294
Hunter 62, 63,
plate 56.63 (EF, sl. o/c) |
Emp stg r holding globe and scepter,
facing Hercules stg l holding Victory,
club and lion's skin
XXI<palm> in exergue
or <palm>XXI
|
|
IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG
(as Diocletian 331)
|
#625, p.295
|
Victory walking right holding palm, presenting
wreath to Jupiter left holding globe and scepter
XXI<palm> in exergue
|
|
IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG
(as Diocletian 329)
|
#626. p.295
|
Emperor standing right, holding parazonium,
receiving Victory on globe from Jupiter.
XXI or <palm>XXI or XXI<palm> in exergue.
[This may be the same type as Diocletian 329, with
the "sceptre" there called a "parazonium" (a short sword worn at the
waist) here.]
|
|
Issues from the Tripolis mint discontinued before the coin reform of
c.293-296. I argue above under Diocletian that the mint closed c. 286-7.
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If you care about these coin types, you may write me at:
Posted Jan. 2003.