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 T" O
 
 I 
 
 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 RELATING TO 
 
 BRITAIN.
 
 ' Quis est quein non moveat tot clarUsimls monumentis testata cunsignataquc 
 antiquitas." — Cicebo. 
 " Factum abiit — monumenta raanent." — Ovid.
 
 A F PA l^\ Tl ■ S l-i )H <■ A.s 11 .\' ' I'*-' M A'^' <-*-^l N S 
 
 
 
 TS;.ir--^iaMr ■ i'-*^'',,i,: V-
 
 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 RELATING TO 
 
 BRITAIN 
 
 DESCEIBED AND ILLUSTRATED 
 
 JOHN YONGE AKERMAN, 
 
 FELLOW OF THE SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OP LONDON, 
 CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETIES OF EDINBURGH AND NEWCASTLE- 
 UPON-TYNE, 
 ONE OF THE HONORARY SECRETARIES OF THE NUMISMATIC SOCIETY OF LONDON, AND 
 CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF FRANCE. 
 
 LONDON: 
 JOHN RUSSELL SMITH, 
 
 OLD COMPTON STREET, SOHO SQDAUE. 
 
 M.DCCC.XI.IV.
 
 LONDON : 
 
 PRINTED BY J. WERTIIEIMEII AND CO. 
 
 CIRCUS PLACE, FINSBURY CIRCUS.
 
 
 TO 
 
 JOHN LEE, ESQUIRE, 
 
 OF HARTWELL HALL, IN THE COUNTY OF BUCKINGHAM, 
 
 LL.D., P.R.S., F.S.A., F.R.A.S., 
 
 LATE PRESIDENT OF THE NUMISMATIC SOCIETY OF LONDON. 
 
 u. 
 O 
 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 Some years since you had the kindness 
 to consent to my dedicating to you a small and 
 imperfect work, bearing the same title as the 
 present, as an acknowledgment of your readiness 
 on all occasions to assist those Avho were engaged
 
 VI DEDICATION. 
 
 in promoting a more general taste for numismatic 
 studies in this country. 
 
 Suffer mc now to present to you a volume on 
 the same subject, in an improved form and mth 
 many additions, and to express a hope that the 
 favour with which its predecessor was regarded, 
 will be extended to that which now claims your 
 indulgence. 
 
 I am, my dear Sir, 
 
 With much gratitude and respect. 
 
 Your faithful and obliged, 
 
 John Yonge Akekman. 
 
 Lewisham, 
 October 1 , 1 843.
 
 PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 
 
 The object of this little work, is to bring under 
 one view the coins of the Romans which relate 
 to the province of Britain. It is hoped that 
 such an attempt mil not only find favour 
 with the antiquary and the numismatist, but 
 will also interest aU who are curious in the 
 early history of our island; some of the prin- 
 cipal events in which, during a long period of 
 the Roman occupation, are recorded on the coins 
 of the conquerors. 
 
 The remark of Gibbon, that " diligence and 
 accuracy are the only merits which a historical 
 writer may ascribe to himself," is still more 
 applicable to compilations of this description: 
 there is little room for fancy or ornament; but 
 the authentic information which they supply, 
 affords ample amends for any deficiency of
 
 Mil PREFACE. 
 
 style, and supplies the place of" elaborate em- 
 bellishment. 
 
 I must add, that the notes for this tract were 
 made during brief intervals of leisure, and that 
 I have taken great pains to exclude such coins 
 as are of questionable authenticity. To those 
 who may complain of its brevity, I have only to 
 remark, that I might have made it much larger 
 if I had dealt in conjecture ; but, as I preferred 
 matter of fact to Avild speculation, and rejected 
 the fanciful relations of the over-zealous for the 
 indisputable evidence of antiquity, I could not 
 have increased its size "wdthout travelling beyond 
 the limits I had prescribed to myself.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Introduction. — Roman British coins ill-engraved by 
 Camden, Speed, and Pinkerton — Roman coins re- 
 peatedly found in immense numbers in England and 
 other countries — Their legends and types — Im- 
 perishable nature of numismatic monuments — Op- 
 pressive taxation of the Romans . . . .1 — 7 
 
 Britain not conquered by Julius Caesar — The island 
 remained unmolested during the reigns of Augustus 
 and Cahgula — First subjugated bv Claudius — Gold 
 and silver coins of Claudius recording victories in 
 Britain — Orthography of Britannia — Silver medal- 
 lions of Claudius with " de BRITANNIS" . . 9 — 16 
 
 Britannicus. — Coins of Cotys, king of the Bosphorus, 
 
 with the head of this prince . . . .17 — 21 
 
 Domitianus. — No coins of this emperor with records 
 
 of victories in Britain ...... 21 — 22 
 
 Hadrianus. — Brass coin i-ecording his arrival in Bri- 
 tain — Other coins in that metal with " Britannia" 
 — No gold or silver coins with similar legends or 
 types 22 — 26 
 
 Antoninus Pius. — His coins often found in England 
 — Supposed gold coin with " britan." — Coin with 
 the type of Victory — The statues of that deity long 
 respected after the growth of Christianity — Varieties 
 of brass coins of this emperor commemorating vic- 
 tories in the province ....... 27 — 3o
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CoMMODUs. — Medallions of this emperor with " Brit- 
 tania" — Orthography supposed hy Dr. Grotefend 
 to be imitated from the Greek — Large brass coin 
 with " VICT. BRIT." ...... 35 — 39 
 
 Severus. — His military ardour and restless ambition 
 — Revolt of the Britons — Campaign of Severus and 
 Caracalla — Death of Severus at York — Coins com- 
 memorating his victories in the province . . 39 — 47 
 
 Clodius Albinus. — His parentage — Governor of 
 Britain — Treachery of Severus — Defeat and death 
 of Albinus in Gaul — His coins and their types de- 
 scribed — Singular representation of the Carthaginian 
 deity, Atwv 47 — 59 
 
 Caracalla. — Return of Caracalla from Britain — Mur- 
 der of Geta — Singular coins of Stratonicea and of 
 Pergamus, with the head of Geta erased — Caracalla 
 styled " Antoninus Pius" on his coins — Types of his 
 coins recording victories in Britain . . . 59 — 64 
 
 Geta. — His coins also bear records of victories in the 
 
 province ........ 65 — 69 
 
 Roman Coin Moulds discovered in England and 
 France — Accounts of discoveries of great numbers 
 at Edington, in Somersetshire — Ryton in Shropshire 
 — Lingwell-Gate in Yorkshire, and also at Lyons, 
 Damery, &c. — The Reverend J. B. Reade's mode 
 of ascertaining the place in which these moulds 
 were made — Discoveries of moulds at Castor, in 
 Northamptonshire ...... 69 — 102 
 
 PosTUMUS. — No coins of his known to have been 
 struck in Britain, though his rule probably extended 
 to the province . . . . . . . 103 
 
 ViCTORiNUS. — His coins found repeatedly in Britain 
 
 — No coins of Victorina his mother . . . 1 04 
 
 Marius. — His brass coins not uncommon, and found 
 occasionally in Britain, notwithstanding the short-
 
 CONTENTS. XI 
 
 PAGE 
 
 ness of his reign — Conjecture as to practices of the 
 usurpers of the period in regard to their coins . 104 — 105 
 
 Tetricus. — His rule probably extended to Britain . 106 
 
 Diocletian and Maximian. — Coins of the latter with 
 LON. in the exergue, indicating the mint of London 
 — Remarkable gold coins of Maximian, with 
 " AVGGG." and the letters ml. in the exergue . 107 — 109 
 
 Carausius. — A man of mean extraction — His usurpa- 
 tion — Remarkable coin with " vitavi" — Rapacity 
 and insolence of the Romans in Britain — Coins 
 with " PAX AVGGG." — Murder of Carausius by Al- 
 lectus — Absurd reveries of Stukeley — The remark- 
 able legends, " expectate veni" and " caravsivs 
 ET FRATRES svi" — Alphabetical list of the coins of 
 Carausius, in gold, silver, and brass . . 110 — 146 
 
 Allectus. — Recovery of Britain by the Romans, and 
 death of Allectus — The legends " laetitia" and 
 " viRTVs AVG. " on his coins — Alphabetical list of 
 coins in gold, silver, and brass . . . 146 — 155 
 
 CoNSTANTiNus Magnus. — His Small brass coins, with 
 
 PLON. in the exergue, described . . . 156 — 161 
 
 Fausta. — Small brass with letters of the London 
 
 mint 161—162 
 
 Crispws- — Small brass with similar letters . . 162 — 163 
 
 CoNSTANTiNUS JuNioR. — Small brass with similar 
 
 letters 163—164 
 
 CoNSTANTius JuNiOR. — Small brass with similar 
 
 letters 164 — 165 
 
 Helena. — Small brass with similar letters . . 165 — 166 
 
 Magnus Maximus. — No coins with exergual letters 
 
 denoting the London mint . . . . 166 
 
 Emblematical representation of Britain on Roman 
 
 coins . . . . . . . .167 — 168 
 
 Postscript . . , . . . . . 168
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 In the foUomng pages I have endeavoured to 
 describe a series of ancient coins, which, though 
 not comprising the finest specimens of numismatic 
 art, must, to an Enghshman, be of all others the 
 most interesting. The plates have been engraved, 
 with the most strict attention to accuracy, from 
 drawings made expressly for this work from tlie 
 well-preserved originals in the British Museum, 
 from the national collection at Paris and Vienna, 
 and various private cabinets in this country. 
 Some of these coins have been figured in Camden, 
 Speed, and other writers on the early history of 
 Britain ; but all so unlike the originals as to cause 
 much embarrassment to the inexperienced col- 
 lector. Even Pinkerton, ever ready to pounce 
 upon the errors of others, contented himself with. 
 
 ^
 
 Z INTIUJDUCTION. 
 
 copying ill-engraved and un authenticated repre- 
 sentations. The plates, therefore, which accom- 
 pany this volume claim the attention of the 
 numismatist on the score of their fidelity. 
 
 I have confined myself to a description of those 
 coins only which have direct allusion to Britain. 
 It is probable that others were struck by the 
 Romans to commemorate events in this country ; 
 but, in order to save much repetition, I have, 
 with few exceptions, given descriptions of those 
 only which bear the word Britannia either at 
 length, or in a contracted form, and such as 
 may be considered to have been minted in this 
 country. 
 
 The coins of the Romans have descended to us 
 in prodigious numbers. In every country once 
 included in their vast empire, numerous hoards 
 in the three metals, have, from time to time, been 
 brought to light. In England, France, Italy, 
 Germany, and the more remote provinces of the 
 East, innumerable discoveries during the last two 
 centuries have enriched the cabinets of the curious, 
 and proved a source of information and delight 
 to the historian, the antiquary, and the artist. 
 
 With a foresight Avhich has seldom been evinced
 
 INTRODUCTION. 6 
 
 by modern nations, the Romans celebrated those 
 deeds which have been the admiration of suc- 
 ceeding ages, in a manner peculiarly their owii. 
 Time and accident might destroy temples and 
 statues, upon which the genius and skill of the 
 architect and the sculptor had been lavished, but 
 their coins were calculated to perpetuate their 
 fame to the remotest times. The triumphal 
 arch, defaced and overthro^vn, exhibits but dis- 
 jointed portions of its once high-sounding in- 
 scription ; but numerous coins remain uninjured, 
 bearuio; the sententious legends — Ivdaea Capta 
 
 — VicToEiAE Brittannicae — Aegypto Capta 
 
 and a multitude of others of almost equal in- 
 terest. " If all our historians were lost to us," 
 says Gibbon, " medals and inscriptions would 
 alone record the travels of Hadrian." The coins 
 of the Romans were, in fact, their gazettes, 
 which were published in the most distant pro- 
 vinces ; and they are at this day discovered in 
 remote regions where our own records have, 
 in all probability, never reached. Did they 
 obtain a victory or reduce a province, coins 
 were issued in vast numbers, upon which the 
 vanquished were depicted with their charac- 
 teristic arms and costume. Did the emperor 
 visit the province as pacificator, coins appeared, 
 upon which he was represented in a civic habit,
 
 4 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 raising up the prostrate female who represents 
 the country Avhich had won the imperial favour. 
 The remission of taxes, the raising of temples to 
 their deities, and public buildings for the people, 
 the forming of public ways, the celebration of 
 games and sacrifices, and the records of traditions 
 Avhen Rome herself was young, are all found in 
 infinite variety on the coins of that once mighty 
 empire. 
 
 Such were the tyj^es which the Romans im- 
 pressed upon their coins — " the common drudge 
 of retail trafiic." Of their execution as works of 
 art, enough has been already said by various 
 writers, and we know that they have been the 
 admiration of the most eminent sculptors of 
 modern times, who have freely confessed that 
 though in mechanical finish the coins of our days 
 surpass those of the ancients, yet in originahty 
 of design, and boldness and vigour of style and 
 execution, the commonest coins of Greece and 
 Rome are far superior. 
 
 We have had interesting evidence in our OAvn 
 times of the imperishable nature of numismatic 
 monuments. On the restoration of the Bour- 
 bons, the exposure of a picture or bust of the em- 
 peror Napoleon was severely punished, while the
 
 INTRODUCTION. 5 
 
 coins Avith his name and effigy were circulating 
 throughout France ! Kings may be deposed, but 
 their image and superscription remain, and defy 
 the malice of the destroyer. The senate could 
 order the destruction of Caligula's statues and 
 busts, but they had no power to eradicate his 
 coinage ; and their attempts to do so were ut- 
 terly abortive, as the cabinets of our collectors 
 attest. 
 
 My observations are, for the most part, 
 confined to the coins themselves. A history 
 of Roman Britain could not have been com- 
 prised wdthin the hmits of a work hke the 
 present; indeed, the first records of most coun- 
 tries present a finer field for the imagination of 
 the poet than the sober relation of the historian : 
 yet, replete "with fable and romance as is the 
 early history of Britain, it is some consolation to 
 the antiquary to find a few authentic rehcs which 
 bear upon the early times of our ancestors. If 
 we could receive the glowing description of 
 Claudian as the real history of Roman conquest, 
 we might readily beheve that Britain was happy 
 while under a foreign yoke; but we know, on 
 the contrary, that the embrace of the Roman 
 " mother," as she is falsely styled by the poet, 
 was that of a tigress. From the first landing of
 
 6 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Julius Caesar to the final abandoiiinent of the 
 island by the Romans, the history of Britain 
 presents, with few intervals, one long scene of 
 cruelty and extortion. Barbarian retaliation 
 frequently followed civilized aggression, and war 
 and slaughter were often preferred by the 
 wi'etched islanders to the grinding taxation of 
 their oj)pressors. Of the manner in which the 
 taxes of the Romans were laid upon conquered 
 countries, we have many relations: even their 
 own poet, Juvenal, has lashed them for the 
 cruel exactions practised upon those states which 
 had the misfortune to become tributary to 
 them.* Wretched indeed must have been the 
 condition of the Britons when the Romans 
 quitted for ever their island province. Debased 
 by long servitude and tainted by the vices of 
 
 * The satirist says, that they fleeced conquered princes who 
 depended upon them, devouring them " even to the marrow of 
 their bones :" — 
 
 " Ossa vides Regum vacuis exhausta medullis :" Sat. viii. — 
 
 and that their exactions in time of peace were more rigorous 
 than in war. Such perfect masters were they of the art of 
 enslaving, that tributary kings were often made the instruments 
 of oppression. Thus Tacitus, in his Hfc of Agricola, says that 
 Cogidunus, a British prince, had several cities bestowed upon 
 him for his fidelity to the Romans : he further adds, that it 
 was the practice of that people to make even kings the instru- 
 ments of servitude.
 
 INTRODUCTION. 7 
 
 their civilized oppressors, they were an easy prey 
 to the barbarian hordes that threatened to over- 
 whehn them; and of the dark period which 
 succeeded we have but faint records, unrelieved 
 by inscriptions or medalhc evidence. 
 
 ^i-^^^-^^^J^_
 
 Nee stetit Oceano, remisque ingressa profundura, 
 Vincendos alio qua?sivit in orbe Britannos. 
 Haec est in gremium victos quae sola recepit, 
 Humanumque genus communi nomine fovit ; 
 Matris, non dominse ritu, civesque vocavit 
 Quos domuit nexuque pio longinqua revinxit. 
 
 Claddian, Paneg. 3. in Stiliconem.
 
 COINS OF THE ROMANS RELATING 
 TO BRITAIN. 
 
 We have the direct testimony of Tacitus that 
 Julius C^sar obtained no portion of Britain, but 
 rather transmitted to posterity some account of 
 it.* We must not, therefore, look for any numis- 
 matic records of the first descent of the Romans 
 upon this island. 
 
 The same author further informs us that the 
 Romans, fully occupied by their o^\ai intestine 
 wars, left Britain unmolested; and that, on the 
 re- establishment of peace, Augustus, from poli- 
 tical motives, made no attempt upon the island. 
 
 * " Igitur primus omnium Romanorum D. Julius cum exer- 
 citu Britanniam ingressus, quamquam prospera pugna terruerit 
 incolas, ac litore potitus sit, potest videri ostendisse posteris 
 non tradidisse." — Vita Agricoke, c. 13. Tliis is corroborated 
 by Suetonius, in Claud. c.l7, " neque tentatam ulli post D, 
 Julium." 
 
 C
 
 10 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 This was considered by Tiberius as a precept 
 of his predecessor; and Cahgula was perhaps 
 thwarted in his designs against Britain (if he 
 ever seriously entertained any) by his ill success 
 against the Germans.* It was left for Claudius 
 
 * The story of his pretended preparation for the invasion of 
 Britain is well known. Having arrived at the sea- side, he 
 commanded his soldiers to gather up the shells which were 
 strewed on the beach ; which he called the spoils of the ocean 
 due to the Capitol and the Palatium. " Spolia Oceani Capitolio 
 Palatioque debita" (Suetonius, in Calig. c. 46). The same 
 writer (c. 44) informs us that he had previously received the 
 submission of Adminius, the son of Cunobelinus, who had been 
 driven into exile by his father. This prince brought with him 
 a small body of troops, who, with their leader, were paraded 
 before the senate as though the whole island had submitted to 
 the Roman arms. A correspondent of the " Numismatic 
 Journal" thus notices the absence of the S. C. on the coins of 
 Caligula with the legend ADLOCVT. COH. : " It must have 
 been observed by numismatists that this type wants the S. C. 
 {senatus consulto). The deficiency, if it occurred on any other 
 coin than one of this imperial madman, would occasion more 
 surprise. But he who is said to have intended to make his 
 horse consul, and who put numbers of senators to death merely 
 from infuriate malice, may well be supposed to have usurped 
 their right in this instance, by commanding the allocution 
 type of his first brass to be struck independently of their 
 decree. He may have been piqued at their recommending 
 him to accept of an ovation only, instead of the triumph which 
 he demanded for his military exploits on the shores of the 
 German ocean, where, after a pompous harangue, he ordered 
 the soldiers to fill their helmets with cockle-sheUs as the spoils 
 of conquest. This usurpation of the senate's right and privilege
 
 EELATING TO BRITAIN. 11 
 
 to renew the struggle, which terminated in the 
 subjugation of a considerable portion of the 
 island. The first Roman coin having allusion to 
 Britain is, therefore, of that emperor. 
 
 CLAUDIUS. 
 
 [a.d. 41 to A.D. 54.] 
 
 In the reign of this emperor, a fugitive British 
 lord, having fled to the Roman court, entertained 
 him Avith an account of the island, and assured 
 him that its complete subjugation might be 
 easily eff'ected. Claudius, it appears, lent a ready 
 ear to the traitor; and when the ambassadors 
 entreated that he might be given up to them, 
 treated their request with disdain, and kept the 
 fugitive in his favour. This treatment was, of 
 course, resented. Excuses were not wanting for 
 a quarrel with the Britons ; and it was now dis- 
 covered that their tri1)ute had not been regularly 
 paid. Mutual recrimination followed ; and finally 
 Plautius, the Roman general, was despatched 
 
 may have contributed to induce them, after the tyrant's as- 
 sassination, to call in and melt his money : from which fact, 
 the coins of Caligula are comparatively scarce." — Numismatic 
 Journal, vol. i. p. 134.
 
 12 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 Avitli an army into Britain, Avliile Claudius pre- 
 pared to follow him. After a succession of skir- 
 mishes, in which the Eomans, though doubtless 
 •often great sufferers, were generally the victors, 
 the l>ritons sustained a signal defeat. 
 
 Claudius, about this time, landed in person: 
 Suetonius says it was the only expedition he 
 undertook. Affecting to despise the triumphal 
 ornaments decreed to him by the senate, he 
 determined to earn the honour of an actual 
 triumph. He sailed from Ostia, but was thrice 
 compelled by stress of weather to put back. 
 Finding the elements against him, he proceeded 
 by land from Massilia (Marseilles) to Gessoriacuni 
 (Boulogne), whence he took shipping; and soon 
 after his arrival the greater part of the island 
 submitted to him.* It is said that the emperor 
 shewed great clemency to the vanquished Britons, 
 who paid him divine honours. 
 
 Plautius, in reward for his services, obtained 
 
 * Dion Cassius, lib. xl. Suetonius in Claud, c. 17. The 
 accounts of these writers are somewhat conflicting ; and 
 Suetonius seems to contradict himself, when in one place he 
 says " sine ullo prselio," &c. (in Claud, c. 17), and in another 
 " triceis cum hoste conflixit" (in Vesp. c. 4). It can hardly be 
 supposed that a large portion of Britain, together with the 
 Isle of Wight, were brought under subjection without some 
 important engagements.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 13 
 
 the government of Britain ; and, after the depar- 
 ture of the emperor, carried on the war against 
 the provinces not yet tributary to the Romans. 
 
 It is somewhat remarkable that although the 
 coinao-e of brass was under the control of the 
 senate,* the gold and silver coins only of this 
 emperor commemorate his victories in Britain. 
 Examples in gold are not uncommon, but his 
 silver coins are scarce. The following type 
 occurs in both metals: — 
 
 Obverse. TI. CLAVD. CAESAR AVG. P. M. TR. P. VI. 
 IMP. XL Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus, 
 Pontifex Maximus, Tribunitia Potestate sextum, 
 Imperator undecirnvm. The laureatedf head of 
 Claudius to the right, with a dull heavy countenance 
 and the hair growing down the back of the neck. J 
 
 Reverse. DE BRITANN. (or BRITAN. or BRITANNIS), on 
 the front of a triumphal arch, surmounted by an 
 equestrian statue between two trophies. 
 
 * Denoted by the S.C. {senaius consulto) which almost inva- 
 riably appears on it. This remark is only necessary for those 
 who have no practical knowledge of Roman coins. When the 
 S.C. is found on gold or silver it must be otherwise understood, 
 and may be considered as referring to a decree of the senate. 
 
 \ Suetonius says that Tiberius, when the sky was turbid, 
 always wore a laurel crown, because it was supposed that the leaf 
 of the laurel was never touched by lightning. In Tib. c. 69. 
 
 X This was peculiar to the family, according to Suetonius, 
 in Tib. c. 68 ; and it may be remarked in the portraits on the 
 coins of several of the successors of Claudius.
 
 14 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 There is no doubt that the coins bearing this 
 type were minted to commemorate the triumph 
 decreed by the senate to Claudius, and celebrated 
 in the year a.d. 44. The date of the trie. pot. 
 answers to the year 46 ; by which time, perhaps, 
 the arch noticed by Dion Cassius, was completed.* 
 
 There was an issue of other coins Avith this 
 type, but mth an alteration in the trie. pot. : 
 namely, trp viiii. laip. xvi. ; and these were 
 probably minted to record the enlargement of 
 the pomoerium or boundaries of Rome, the date 
 agreeing with an inscription given by Gruter. 
 
 TI- CLAVDIVS DRVSI- F- CAISAR 
 
 AVG- CtERMANICVS PONT- MAX- TRIE- POT- Villi. 
 
 IMP. XVI. COS. IIII. CENSOR P- P. 
 
 AVCTIS POPVLI ROMANI FINIBVS 
 
 POMERIVM AMPLIAVIT TERMINAVITQ- 
 
 It is remarkable that though Claudius repeats 
 the title iMPerator so often on his coins, he 
 never uses it as a prcenomen^ nor is it thus 
 placed on any knoAvn inscription. f 
 
 * ' Ai^ica TpoTTato(p6pov. Dion Cass, lib.xl. 
 
 t When the title iMPerator precedes the name on Roman 
 coins, it imphes supreme power ; but when it follows the name, 
 it is simply a mihtary title. It is found on the coins of Sylla 
 and of Pompey in the latter sense ; being given to them 
 as victorious generals. Suetonius, in Claud, c. 12, says 
 " prpenomine Imperatoris abstinuit ; " a fact which is confirmed 
 by these and other coins of Claudius ; though on some colonial 
 examples it is used as a prcenomen obviously in error.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 15 
 
 Eckhel* remarks on the mode of spelling the 
 word BRITANNIA on these coins, namely, Avith 
 one T, and that the same orthography is observ- 
 able on those of Hadrian and Antoninus Pius. 
 It is thus spelled in the well known line of Virgil, 
 
 " Et penitus toto divisos orbe Britannos."f 
 
 but on the coins of Severus and his sons we 
 find the t doubled. It was therefore only in 
 accordance with the orthography of his period 
 that Eustathius, remarking on the verse of 
 Dionysius PeriegetesJ ev6a Bperavol, observes 
 that the poet had left out one r for the sake 
 of the metre. 
 
 The collection of the British Museum contains 
 two small silver medallions of Claudius, one of 
 which was formerly in the Museum Hedervarium. 
 They are both of the same type, though not from 
 the same die; and one of them, having shifted 
 under the blows of the hammer, is imperfectly 
 struck. The fine collection to which this piece 
 formerly belonged was, a short time since, sold 
 by private contract ; and the two medallions were 
 purchased of Mr. Millingen for the collection of 
 the British Museum. They are the only two 
 known, and are a most valuable addition to the 
 series under notice. 
 
 * Doct.Num.Vet. vol.vi. p.240. f Eel. i.67. t v. 284.
 
 l(i COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 Obverse. TI. CLAVD. CAESAR AVG. GERM. P. M. TR. 
 P. Tihsrius Claudius Caesar Augiistus Gcr- 
 
 manicus, Pontifex Maximus, Trihunilia Potcslate. 
 The laureated head of the emperor to the left. 
 Reverse. DE BRITANNIS. The emperor in a quadriga ; his 
 right hand resting on its edge ; his left holding a 
 sceptre surmounted hy an eagle. 
 
 Yaillant considers the elegant gold quinarius 
 of Claudius, \vith the figure of Victory resting 
 her foot on a globe and inscribing a buckler, as 
 commemorative of events in Britain ; and remarks 
 on the t}^e, — " ilia pedem globo imponit, quasi 
 novum orbem sub ditione Romana redegerit : 
 nam Britannia toto orbe divisa, tanquam alter 
 Romanis videbatur."* But the absence of a 
 date renders it very doubtful. 
 
 It may be proper to add that the coin with 
 the type of a female figure holding a rudder and a 
 vase, given by x-*inkerton,f is not authenticated. 
 It is doubtless a modern fabrication. The gold 
 coin, cited by Rasche,J from Mediobarba, and 
 other writers, is of very questionable authenticity. 
 
 * Num. Imp. Rom. torn. ii. p. 37. edit, 1743. 
 f Essay on Medals, vol. i. 
 X Lexicon, tom.i. p. 1597.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 17 
 
 BRITANNICUS. 
 
 [Born a.d. 42. — Poisoned a.d. 55] 
 
 This prince, the son of Claudius by Messalina, 
 was born in the second consulship of his father. 
 His original name was Germanicus, that of Bri- 
 tannicus having been given him by the senate, 
 in consequence of the victories obtained by the 
 generals of Claudius in Britain;* and by this 
 he is better known in history. By the intrigues 
 of his step-mother, Agrippina, he was removed 
 from the succession to the empire to make way 
 for her son Nero, and was destroyed during the 
 festivities of the Saturnalia by the court poisoner, 
 Locusta.f 
 
 The only coin of Roman fabric with the effigy 
 of Britannicus, is the one described below. It is 
 of the large brass size, and is noticed by Eckhel,| 
 as having been first brought to light at Rome in 
 the year 1773. 
 
 Obverse. TI. CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG. F. BRITAN- 
 NICVS. Tiberius Claudius Ccesar Augusti Filii, 
 
 * Dion Cass. lib. Ix. f Tacit. Ann. lib.xiii. c. 16. 
 
 X Doct. Num. Vet. vol. vi. p. 254. 
 
 D
 
 18 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 Britannicus. Bare head of Britannicus to the 
 right. 
 
 Reverse. S. C. Senatus Consulfo. Mars marching to the 
 right with spear and shield. 
 
 Alabanda, Thessalonica, Nicomedia, Ilium, and 
 other Greek cities, struck coins in honour of this 
 unfortunate prince;* but as they belong to a 
 distinct series, they are not here described. f I 
 cannot, however, pass over t"sv"o coins in the 
 cabinet of Mr. Thomas, who justly holds them in 
 high estimation. The first is of gold. 
 
 I. 
 
 Obverse. No legend. The laureated head of Claudius to 
 the right. 
 
 * See Pellerin, Melanges, torn. ii. p. 28. Id. Rec. torn. ii. 
 Sestini, Lettere iv. p. 26. Seguin, Selecta Num. and Eckhel, 
 Doct. Num. Vet. vol. vi. p. 254. 
 
 t The coins of Britannicus, though of inferior execution, 
 are especially interesting from the circumstance of his busts 
 being of great rarity, Nero having ordered all representations 
 of this ill-fated youth to be destroyed. A statue of Britannicus 
 was found some years since near Tivoli, with the attributes of 
 Bacchus. We are told by Suetonius, that Titus was very 
 nearly taken off at the banquet at which Britannicus was 
 destroyed, having partaken of some of the poison ; and that 
 Titus, when he came to the empire, erected a statue of gold to 
 his memory, and dedicated an equestrian statue of ivory which 
 was paraded in the Circensian procession in the days of the 
 historian (in Tito, c. 2).
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 19 
 
 Reverse. Bare head of Britannicus to the right : behind it, the 
 letters BA. KO. in monogram. These letters are 
 the abbreviation of Bkaiktog KOtvoc [money] of 
 Kiiuj Cotys. Beneath the head, the Greek numeral 
 letters BMT, which signify 342 of the era of the 
 kingdom of the Bosphorus, answering to the year 
 of Rome 798, or a.d. 46, and thus agreeing with 
 the gold coin of Claudius. 
 
 The other coin is of copper. 
 
 IT. 
 
 Obverse. The head of Cotys, king of the Bosphorus, encircled 
 by the regal diadem or fillet, and the hair reaching 
 to the shoulders. Behind, the monogram, composed 
 of the letters BA. KO. as in the preceding coin. 
 
 Reverse. KAIEAPOC BPETANNIKOC. CcBsaris Britan- 
 nici. Bare head of Britannicus to the rig'ht. 
 
 Both these coins are of great rarity. The 
 first is, perhaps, the only one in this country; 
 the other is, in all probability, unique, and is 
 now pubhshed for the first time. 
 
 Few cabinets in England possess coins of this 
 rare series ; and it is on this account, as well as 
 from the interest attached to them owing to the 
 circumstance of their illustrating each other, 
 that they are here admitted. " It may not be 
 amiss to remind the reader," remarks Mr. Tho- 
 mas, in the observations mth which he accom- 
 panied the drawings he permitted me to have
 
 20 COINS OF THE KOMANS 
 
 made of these interesting objects, " that, until 
 the time of Domitian, the portraits of the kings 
 of the Ciimnerian Bosphorus (a country now 
 known as the Crimea), are seldom, if ever, found 
 upon their gold coins:* that on one side the 
 head of the contemporary Roman emperor is 
 generally found in lieu of it, and on the other, 
 that of the C^sar or nearest relative of the 
 emperor. Even the names of the kings of the 
 Bosphorus are not given at length, but in a 
 monogram or contracted form : the date, how- 
 ever, always found upon them, indicates the year 
 in which they were minted." 
 
 " The celebrated Visconti," continues Mr. 
 Thomas, " was the first, who, upon an inspection 
 of the identical gold coin here described,f pro- 
 nounced the juvenile portrait which it bears to 
 be that of Britannicus ; J an opinion which was 
 sanctioned by the date, which shews that the 
 
 * Mionnet, " Description de Medailles Antiques" (torn. ii. 
 p. 369), describes one 'of the portraits upon each of the coins 
 numbered 54 to 58, as of Rhescuporis the First, king of the 
 Bosphorus ; but Visconti, in his " Iconographie Grecque" 
 (torn. ii. p. 153), supposes them to be portraits of Romans, and 
 does not admit them in that work because they do not belong 
 to the series of Greek portraits. 
 
 f Tliis coin was formerly in the collection of M. Allier. 
 
 X Iconographie Grecque, torn. ii. p. 158, 4to. edit. 181 1.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 21 
 
 piece was struck while Messalina, the mother of 
 that prince, yet lived, and was in the plenitude 
 of her power and influence. It would appear, 
 that it was not until after the death of that 
 empress, when the crafty Agrippina had become 
 the mfe of the imbecile Claudius, and advanced 
 her son (by her first marriage), that Cotys 
 caused the portrait of Nero to be engraved on 
 his gold coins." 
 
 Since the publication of Visconti's valuable " Ico- 
 nographie Grecque," the copper coin, described 
 above, has been discovered ; and, while it proves 
 beyond doubt, that the youthful portraits are of 
 the same personage, confirms the opinion which 
 that able antiquary had ventured upon the gold 
 one. The value and interest of this coin are 
 greatly increased on account of its being the only 
 example bearing a portrait of Cotys the First. 
 
 DOMITIANUS. 
 
 Of this prince we have no coins relating to 
 Britain; but we find on his money germania 
 CAPTA, and types commemorating a victory over 
 the Catti, which he never obtained, although he 
 celebrated a triumph in which a troop of slaves,
 
 22 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 dressed in the German costume, Avere paraded as 
 captives ! May we not suj)pose tliat tlie reason 
 of there bemg no corns of Domitian with records 
 of victories in Britain, was the excessive jealousy 
 which Tacitus, in his life of Agricola, says the 
 tyrant entertained towards that celebrated ge- 
 neral ? 
 
 HADRIANUS. 
 
 [a.D. 117 TO A.D. 138.] 
 
 In the reign of this prince the Britons revolted ; 
 and Julius Severus was recalled to proceed 
 against the Jews, who had made an effort to 
 recover their liberty. The Caledonians also de- 
 stroyed several forts which had been erected by 
 Agricola.* Hadrian, with three legions, arrived 
 in time to prevent the Britons from throwing off 
 the Roman yoke; and to protect the northern 
 frontiers of the province, built a wall Avhich ex- 
 tended from the Tyne in Northumberland to the 
 Eden in Cumberland. The war does not appear 
 to have been of long continuance; and the 
 
 * The Roman general had previously had some skirmishing 
 with the northern inhabitants ; but his presence was considered 
 of more importance in the East.
 
 KELATING TO BRITAIN. 23 
 
 southern Britons, protected from the incursions 
 of their savage neighbours, were probably con- 
 tent to bear the Roman yoke. 
 
 Hadrian's arrival in Britain is commemorated 
 by a large brass coin struck in the year of Rome 
 874, A.D. 121. 
 
 Obverse. HADRIANVS AVG. COS. III. P. P. Hadrianus 
 Augustus, Consul tertium, Pater Patrice. Lau- 
 reated bust of Hadrianus, with the chlamys buckled 
 over the right shoulder. 
 
 Reverse. ADVENTVS* AVG. BRITANNIAE. Adventus 
 Avgusti Britatmice. In the exergue, S. C. An 
 altar with the fire kindled, placed between the em- 
 peror in the toga, holding a patera, and a female 
 figure with a victim lying at her feet. 
 
 Types very similar to this were struck to com- 
 memorate the emperor's arrival in Cilicia, Gaul, 
 &c. There is another very rare coin in large 
 brass. 
 
 Obverse. HADRIANVS AVG. COS. III. Hadriamis 
 Augustus, Consul tertium. Laureated head of 
 Hadrianus to the right. 
 
 * On the coins given by Eckhel, Rasche, and Vaillant, the 
 word is ADVENTVI, which Captain Smyth, in his interesting 
 description, has inadvertently followed, although the large 
 brass coin, in the gallant Captain's cabinet, reads ADVENTVS. 
 This is the more remarkable, as the coins of Hadrian com- 
 memorating his arrival in the other provinces, invariably read 
 ADVENTVI.
 
 24 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 Reverse. BRITANNIA. A female figure seated, her right 
 foot resting on a rock, her head resting on her 
 right hand, and spear in her left ; by her side a 
 large shield, with a spike in the centre. 
 
 Antiquaries believe the figure on the reverse 
 of this coin to be the province of Britain per- 
 sonified. It cannot be Rome : and the absence 
 of characteristic attributes of the island, is in all 
 probability owing to the ignorance of the en- 
 graver of the die, which was doubtless not exe- 
 cuted in Britain. 
 
 In the Museum Theupolum,* a work to the 
 general accuracy of which Eckhel bears testimony, 
 a large brass coin of Hadrian is described as 
 follows : — 
 
 Obverse. HADRIANVS AVG. COS. III. P. P. Hadrianus 
 Augustus, Consul tertium, Pater Patrice. Bare 
 head of the emperor. 
 
 Reverse. EXERC. BRITAN. Exercitus Britannicus. The 
 emperor, on a tribune or estrade, haranguing his 
 troops. 
 
 Although this coin is not known to our Eng- 
 lish numismatists, it is by no means a proof that 
 it does not exist. Yaillant f notices a type and 
 legend very similar : — 
 
 * Vol. i. p. 4G7. t Num. Imp. Rom. tom. i. p. 62.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 25 
 
 EXERC. BRITANNICVS. Iraperator paludatus 
 stans, in suggestu adloquitur cohortes. In aliis, 
 Imperator eques. 
 
 To this he appends the following remark : — " Hie 
 nnmmus prima? forma? inter rariores numeranclus 
 (imo inter rarissimos)." Nevertheless, some 
 artful rogue may have formed this coin from 
 another of a similar type, by altering the letters 
 of the legend. 
 
 Second or middle brass coins of Hadrian also 
 bear allusion to Britain : of these there are two 
 varieties. 
 
 I. 
 
 Obverse. HADRIANVS AVG. COS. III. Hadrianus Au- 
 gustus, Consul tertium, Laureated head of the 
 emperor. 
 
 Reverse. BRITANNIA. A female figure seated on a rock, 
 holding a javelin, her right hand supporting her 
 head ; a large shield hy her side, with a long spike 
 in the centre. 
 
 The attitude of repose given to the figure on 
 the reverse of this coin, the type of which re- 
 sembles that of the large brass, would seem to 
 imply that it was struck when peace had been 
 restored in Britain. 
 
 II. 
 
 Obverse. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS COS. III. Hadri- 
 anus Augustus, Consul tertium. Laureated head of 
 the emperor. 
 
 E
 
 2G COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 Reverse. PONT. MAX. TR. POT. COS. III. P. P. Ponii- 
 fex Maximus, Tribunitia Potestate, Consul tertiunif 
 Pater Patrice ; in the exergue, BRITANNIA. A 
 female figure as on the preceding coin. 
 
 Havercamp* thinks these "figures are intended 
 to represent the secure, but watchful state of the 
 province. The attitude of repose signifies that 
 the Britons have no longer cause to dread the 
 incursions of their barbarian neighbours; while 
 the spear and shield indicate that the province 
 is prepared to repel any attack. 
 
 No gold or silver coin of Hadrian, with allusion 
 to Britain, is known ; a deficiency for which it is 
 difficult to account, as the coins of that prince, in 
 gold and silver, are exceedingly numerous. Did 
 Hadrian, the gold and silver coinage being under 
 the imperial controul, interdict the striking of 
 pieces in those metals? 
 
 Mediobarbaf gives a denarius of Hadrian mth 
 ADLOCVTio BRiTANNiCA, the cmperor haranguing 
 his soldiers; but this is of very questionable 
 authority. 
 
 * Medailles De Christine, p. 59, tab. xii. The rarity of 
 this coin is particularly noticed by Havercamp. 
 t Edit. 1730, p. 178.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 27 
 
 ANTONINUS PIUS. 
 
 [a.D. 138 TO A.D. 161.] 
 
 The coins of this emperor have been found in 
 great numbers in England; and one bearing 
 " Britannia," has now and then been discovered 
 among them ; but there are several varieties of 
 this interesting type, some of which are of great 
 rarity. 
 
 The first is a gold coin or aureus. 
 
 Obverse. Unknown.* 
 
 Reverse. BRITAN. Victory standing on a globe, holding a 
 garland and a palm-branch, an elegant type re- 
 peated on a coin of this emperor in large brass. 
 
 This, and some of the coins which follow, in 
 all probability, commemorate the victory over 
 the revolted Brigantes, who made incursions upon 
 their neighbours, then leagued with the Romans. 
 Lollius Urbicus, the Roman general, defeated 
 them with great slaughter, and raised a turf wall 
 still further to the northward, extending, as our 
 
 * Vaillant, Nmn. Imp. Rom. torn. ii. p. 159, gives the re- 
 verse only of this coin. It is not known in England-
 
 28 COINS OF THE ROiLAJUS 
 
 English antiquaries suppose, from the Tyne to 
 Carlisle.* 
 
 Victory was an important deity among the 
 Greeks and Romans; and she is accordingly 
 figured on great numbers of their coins. Tacitus 
 says that, besides other prodigies which preceded 
 the revolt of the Britons under Boadicea, the 
 image of Victory, set up at Camulodunum, fell 
 down mthout any apparent cause, with its back 
 to the enemy. f 
 
 The representation of this goddess cannot be 
 mistaken; her attitude is generally graceful, and 
 on this coin is elegant. J Sylla built a temple to 
 
 * Pausanias records, that Antoninus took from the Brigantes 
 the greater part of their territory, because they had made 
 war on the Genunians, who were the alhes of the Romans : — 
 'ATTcrEjUfro ct Kat rwv tv Bptrraj'/a ^piyavTiov riiv TroW))r, on 
 lirEfTJJuiviiv Kill niiToi aw role oirXoiQ //psctj' Tt/v TevovJiuv 
 ^oTpar, vin]Kaovg 'Pw/icu'wj'. Arcad. hb. viii. cap. 43. The 
 passage immediately preceding this, mentions the defeat of 
 the Moors by Antoninus, which probably obtained him the 
 title of Imperator for the first time ; that for the second time 
 being given him for successes in Britain. 
 
 t " Inter quse, nulla palam causa, delapsum Camuloduni 
 simulacrum Victoria;, ac retro conversum, quasi cederet hosti- 
 bus." Annales, lib. xiv. c. 32. 
 
 "i^ Among the collection of monuments found in the line of 
 the Roman wall, and now preserved in the museum of the 
 Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne, is a bas-relief 
 with a figure of Mctory thus represented.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN . 29 
 
 Victory at Rome, and instituted games in her 
 honour; and we are told, that Hiero, king of 
 Sicily, made a present to the Romans of a statue 
 of Victory in solid gold. She had a fine statue 
 in the Capitol, of which the figure on the reverse 
 of the coin here described, may have been a copy. 
 Rome is constantly represented on the coins of 
 the lower empire, seated in a chair, and holding 
 the hasta and a small figure of Victory, whom the 
 early Christians seemed disposed to reverence 
 after the gods of their forefathers had disap- 
 peared, since her statues were protected long 
 after those of the other deities had been de- 
 molished. 
 
 The next coins are of lai^ge brass ; and of these 
 there are several varieties, all "with records of the 
 Consulship, and the title of Tmperatoi\ the value 
 of which has been shown by Eckliel.* The re- 
 verse of the first is similar to the gold coin above 
 described. 
 
 I. 
 Obverse. ANTONINVS AVG. PIVS P. P. TR. P. COS. 
 
 III. Antoninus Augustus Pius, Pater Patrice, 
 Trihunitia Potestate, Consul tertium. The bearded 
 and laureated head of Antoninus. 
 Reverse. IMPERATOR II {Imperator iterum) : across the 
 field of the coin, BRITAN. An elegant winged 
 
 * Doct. Num. Vet. vol.vii. p. 14.
 
 30 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 Victory standing on a globe, holding a garland 
 in her right hand, and a palm branch in her left. 
 
 I never heard of a discovery of a coin with this 
 type in England. One of them at the sale of 
 Mr. Edgar's cabinet, in 1815, brought the very 
 high price of £5 : 76-. Qd.j but it was in remarkably 
 fine preservation.* 
 
 II. 
 Obverse. ANTONINVS AVG. PIVS P. P. TR. P. COS. 
 III. Antoninus Augustus Pius, Pater Patrice, 
 Trihunitia Potestate, Consul tertium. Laureated 
 head of the emperor. 
 
 Reverse. BRITANNIA. A male figure wearing trousers 
 seated on a rock, his head covered apparently 
 with the skin of some animal. In his right hand 
 a standard, the emblem of a garrisoned province ; 
 in his left a javelin, by his side a large oval shield 
 with a long spike in the centre.-]- 
 
 III. 
 Obverse. ANTONINVS AVG. PIVS P. P. TR. P. . ..An- 
 
 * This is mentioned here, not as a guide to collectors, but 
 merely to shew what a scarce and unusually weU-preserved 
 coin will bring when offered for competition to eayer amateurs. 
 Mr. Edgar's coins brought, in almost every instance, double 
 their estimated value, several of his friends having resolved 
 that the collection should bring the highest possible sum. 
 
 t In the first edition of this work the figure is described as 
 that of a female, in deference to the opinion of Captain Smyth, 
 who considered it feminine ; but a further inspection of the 
 original in the British Museum warrants a different description, 
 in which I am sanctioned by Dr. Charles Grotefend.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 31 
 
 tonimis Augustus Pins, Pater Patrice, Trihunitia 
 Potestate. Laureated head of the emperor to the 
 right. 
 
 Reverse. IMPERATOR II (Imperator iterum) and BRITAN. 
 across the field A hehneted female figure seated 
 on a rock holding a javelin in her right hand ; 
 her left reposing on a large ornamented shield by 
 her side, her right foot resting on a globe. 
 
 The reverse of this coin differs materially from 
 those of all the others of this series. Instead of 
 a female figure bare-headed, as on the coins of 
 Hadrian, we have here doubtless a personification 
 of Rome herself, her dominion being aptly 
 enough portrayed by the globe beneath her 
 right foot, while she grasps a javelin (a barbarian 
 weapon) instead of a spear. 
 
 IV. 
 Obverse. ANTONINVS AVG. PIVS P. P. TR. P. COS. 
 III. Antoninus Augustus Pius,- Pater Patrice, 
 Trihunitia Potestate, Consul tertium. Laureated 
 head of the emperor to the right. 
 
 Reverse. BRITANNIA. A male figure seated on a perpen- 
 dicular rock, holding a standard in his right hand 
 and a javelin in his left ; by his side a large oval 
 shield with a spike in the centre, resting on a 
 helmet placed on the ground. 
 
 V. 
 Obverse. ANTONINVS AVG. PIVS P. P. TR. P. COS. 
 
 III. Laureated head of Antoninus to the right. 
 Reverse. IMPERATOR II {Imperator iterum): in the 
 
 exergue (BRI)TAN. A male figure with laureated
 
 32 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 head seated on a rock ; in his right hand a stan- 
 dard, in his left a spear ; his left arm resting on 
 the edge of a large spiked shield hy his side. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Obverse. ANTONINVS AVG. PIVS P. P. TR. P. COS. 
 III. Laureated head to the right. 
 
 Reverse. IMPERATOR II (Imperaior iterum) : in the 
 exergue, BRITAN. A female figure seated on a 
 globe surrounded by waves ; in her right hand a 
 standard, in her left a javelin ; her elbow resting 
 upon the edge of a large buckler by her side. 
 
 This is perhaps the most interesting coin of 
 the whole series. The type illustrates the oft- 
 quoted line of Virgil : — 
 
 " Et penitus toto divisos orbc Britannos." * 
 
 Or that of Clauclian : — 
 
 " et nostro cliducta Britannia mundo." t 
 
 or the 
 
 " ultimos 
 
 Orbis Britannos," 
 
 of Horace; J all marking the insular or remote 
 situation of Britain, which the Romans considered 
 " out of the world. "§ The figure seated on a 
 globe doubtless typifies the subjugated province. 
 
 * Eel. i. 67. 
 
 t De Mall. Theod. Cons. v. 51. 
 
 t Carm. lib.i. Od. 35, v. 29. 
 
 § Dion Cassius says, that Plautius, in the time of Claudius, 
 had great difficulty in transj)orting his troops to Britain ; they 
 complained that they were going to war in a country beyond 
 the world. Lib. Ix. c. 19.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 
 
 33 
 
 VII. 
 
 Obverse. ANTONINVS AVG. PIVS P. P. TR. P. COS. 
 III. Laureated head of the emperor to the right. 
 
 Reverse. IMPERATOR II (Imperalor iieriim) : in the 
 exergue, BRITANNIA. A male figure seated on 
 a rock ; in his right hand a standard, in his left a 
 spear ; his left arm resting on the edge of a large 
 ornamented oval shield, supported by a helmet. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Obverse. ANTONINVS AVG. PIVS P. P. TR. P. COS. 
 III. Laureated head to the right. 
 
 Reverse. BRITANNIA. A male figure seated on a rock ; 
 his right hand holding a standard ; his left arm 
 reposing on the edge of a shield placed by his side. 
 
 The type of this curious coin is somewhat 
 puzzling. It bears on the obverse the head and 
 name of Antoninus ; but the seated figure on the 
 reverse is obviously a portrait of Hadrian. It is 
 difficult to find a reason for this, unless we sup- 
 pose that the die for the reverse was originally 
 intended for a coin of Hadrian during the life of 
 that emperor, but for some cause or other not 
 used on his money. Or was it designed by the 
 senate as a tribute to the memory of Hadrian, 
 who certainly performed more in Britain than 
 his successor? In either case, it is a very 
 curious type. That the figure on the reverse is 
 that of Hadrian, no one acquainted with the 
 portraits of that emperor will deny. 
 
 Another eleo:ant coin in lari>e brass was doul)t-
 
 34 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 less struck to coinmeinonite the successes of the 
 Romans in Britain. 
 
 Obverse. ANTONINVS AVG. PIVS P. P. Laureated 
 
 head of Antoninus to the right- 
 Reverse. IMP. T! TR. PO. COS. III. Imperator iterum, 
 
 Trihunitici Potestate, Consul tertium. Victory 
 
 marching; to the right, holding a trophy with both 
 
 hands. 
 
 There are also two coins in middle brass. 
 
 I. 
 
 Obverse. ANTONINVS AVG. PIVS P. P. TR. P. COS. 
 
 III. Laureated head of the emperor to the right. 
 Reverse. IMPERATOR II. Victory walking to the left, 
 
 holding in her right hand a buckler inscribed 
 
 BRIT AN. 
 
 This type would seem to indicate, that a de- 
 cisive victory had been obtained by the Romans 
 over the Brigantes. The type of the next coin 
 is a contrast to this. It was minted in the fourth 
 consulate of Antoninus, and probably denotes 
 that the campaign was then ended. 
 
 II. 
 Obverse. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG. P. P. TR. P. COS. 
 III. Laureated* head of the emperor to the right. 
 
 Reverse. BRITANNIA COS. IIII. Britannia Consul 
 quartum. A female figure seated on a rock in an 
 
 * A coin in the cabinet of Mr. Thomas has the head 
 rad/afed.
 
 liELATING TO BRITAIN. 35 
 
 attitude of dejection ; before her, a large oval 
 shield, and a military standard. 
 
 Of all the Eoman coins relating to Britain, this 
 is the most frequently discovered in England. 
 Some time since, one of them was dug up in St. 
 Saviour's churchyard, near London Bridge. 
 They are generally found in very ordinary con- 
 dition, and are scarcely ever met mth in fine 
 preservation. It is somewhat singular that 
 among the numerous fine and interesting brass 
 medallions of Antoninus not one bears allusion 
 to Britain. 
 
 COMMODUS. 
 
 [a.D. 180 TO A.D. 192.] 
 
 In the reign of this emperor, tlie Caledonians 
 again passed the boundary wall, ravaged the 
 country, and put to the sword the Roman troops. 
 The incursion being sudden and unexpected, 
 the Roman general was taken by surprise. Com- 
 modus, on receiving the news of this irruption, 
 despatched Ulpius Marcellus into Britain; Avlien 
 the invaders were driven back beyond the wall, 
 and the Roman discipline, which had been suf- 
 fered to decay, was revived by Marcellus. We
 
 36 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 learn from Herodiaii that Commodus was aiii- 
 bitious of the name of Britannicus^ although he 
 did not visit the province ; and this is shewn by 
 his coins, upon which it frequently appears with 
 other equally inappropriate and unmerited titles.* 
 During the reign of Commodus, Pertinax, Olodius 
 Albinus, and Julius Severus were, at various 
 times, governors of Britain. 
 
 Among the numerous beautiful medallions of 
 this emperor, are three with records of the war 
 in Britain. They are of large size, and two of 
 them differ but slightly from each other. 
 
 Obverse. M. COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVG. PIVS 
 BRIT. Marcus Commodus Antoninus Augustus 
 Pius, Britannicus. Laureated head of the em- 
 peror to the right. 
 
 Reverse. BRITTANIA P. M. TR. P. X. IMP. VII. COS. 
 IIII. P. P. Brittania, Pontifex Maximus, Tri- 
 hunitia Potestate decimum, fmperalor septimwn. 
 Consul quartum, Pater Patrice. A male figure 
 seated on a rock to the right, holding in his right 
 hand a military standard, and in his left a javeUn ; 
 by his side a shield inscribed S. P. Q. R. (Senatus 
 Popubisque Romanns). 
 
 This medallion, which is of great rarity, is in 
 the national collection at Paris : it differs from 
 
 * Lam])ridiu.s indiilgc.-i in some severe remarks upon the 
 assumption of the names Brilanuicus and Pius, by Commodus.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 37 
 
 that in the cabinet of Mr. Thomas, having the 
 letters s. p. q. r., instead of a spike, in the centre 
 of the shield.* The spelling of Britannia is 
 worthy of observation. Dr. Charles Grotefend 
 thinks it is imitated from the Greek B/jerraffa.f 
 
 Another most interesting medallion, in the pos- 
 session of Mr. Thomas, is of great rarity. 
 
 Obverse. M. COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVG. PIVS 
 BRIT. Marcus Commodus Antonimis Auxjustus 
 Pius, Britannicus. Laureated bust of Commodus 
 to the right, with the paludamentum. 
 
 Reverse. P. M. TR. P. X. IMP. VII the remainder 
 
 of the legend not being impressed, in consequence 
 of the module of the medallion being too small.J 
 Victory seated on a heap of arms, inscribing on a 
 shield VICT. BRIT. ( Victoria Britannica) in two 
 lines : before her, a trophy. 
 
 Captain Smyth, in his very interesting work 
 on the large brass coins of the emperors, is of 
 opinion that the coin of Commodus, which fol- 
 lows, was minted before the campaign was ended, 
 
 * That in the French cabinet is also without the numerals 
 VII. 
 
 t That gentleman, to whom I am greatly indebted for many 
 valuable remarks on the first edition of this work, observes 
 that, in Horace and Propertius, the first syllable of Britannia 
 is short, but in Lucretius, on the contrary, it is long. 
 
 1; The continuation of this legend, when entire, is, COS. 
 
 mi. p. p.
 
 38 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 because Victory holds a shield without inscrip- 
 tion. If the conjecture be admitted, this medal- 
 lion was struck at a subsequent period, when the 
 war had terminated ; but the imp. vii. is against 
 it. Had the medallion been executed by a decree 
 of the conscript fathers, they Avould not have 
 dared to omit the record of another victory : on 
 the other hand, if the striking of these pieces had 
 been at the disposal of the tyrant, he who assumed 
 the title of Conqueror of a Thousand Gladiators^ 
 Avould not have neglected to style himself Impe- 
 rator for the eighth time,* 
 
 A coin in large brass is by no means un- 
 common, although, from its interest, it is not 
 always to be obtained so easily as scarcer coins of 
 this emperor. The type, which is of inferior 
 execution, and low relief, is generally struck on 
 a scanty flan of metal. 
 
 Obverse. M. COMMODVS ANTON. AVG. PIVS BRIT. 
 
 Marcus Covimudus Antoninus Augustus Pius, 
 Briiannicus. Laureated head of the emjjeror to 
 
 * Herodian says, that Commodus took away the head of a 
 statue of the sun, for which the Romans had a peculiar vene- 
 ration, and set up his own in the place of it ; and that, not con- 
 tent with the ordinary titles assumed by the Roman emperors, 
 he inscribed ujjon the h&^e., the conqueror of a thousand (jla- 
 diators — jj.orojia\<)v<, \i\ii)VQ rt)v//(T<(<Toc' (lib.i. c.48}.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 39 
 
 the right, with the hair, l)eard, and moustaches 
 dressed. 
 Reverse. P. M. TR. P. X. IMP. VII. COS. IIII. P. P. 
 in the exergue,VICT. BRIT. {Victoria Britannica). 
 Victory seated to the right, on a heap of shiekis, 
 holding in her right hand a palm-hranch, and sup- 
 porting with her left arm a shield, which she rests 
 on her knees. 
 
 SEVERUS. 
 
 [a.D. 1.93 TO A.D. 211.] 
 
 The sojourn and death of Severus in Britain ren- 
 der it necessary that we should say something of 
 his extraordinary career, and of the motives which 
 induced him to visit this country. The great 
 mihtary fame of this emperor was tarnished, if 
 not obscured, by his ferocity and cruelty;* but 
 if we look only at his military expeditions, his 
 sagacity, promptitude, and judgment, we shall 
 find that circumstances alone were wanting to 
 render him as celebrated as the most famous 
 
 * Spartian informs us that the people sometimes jested on 
 the names of Severus and Pertinax, sallies which cost some of 
 them their hves ; and Julian, in his " Caesars," makes Silenus 
 remark that he is afraid to say anything of Severus. " I 
 dread,'' says he, " the excessive cruelty of a man who never 
 forgives !"
 
 40 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 heroes of aiiti(|uity. Possessed of the purple, 
 which he had acquired by a series of exploit's 
 which may justly be paralleled with those of 
 CaBsar and Hannibal, Severus discovered that the 
 cares of government were as arduous as the toils 
 of a campaign ; and he who had braved danger 
 in many a hard-fought battle, found the throne of 
 a usurper beset with perils no less imminent. 
 Naturally mistrustful, his jealousies and alarms 
 were increased by the discovery of a conspiracy 
 against him by his most tried and intimate 
 friends; while the increasing dissensions of his 
 sons, Caracalla and Geta, added greatly to his 
 inquietude, and made sad havoc upon a con- 
 stitution already impaired by a life of hardship 
 and the advances of old age. 
 
 It has been well observed by Gibbon, that " the 
 ascent to greatness, however steep and dangerous, 
 may entertain an active spirit with the conscious- 
 ness and exercise of its own powers ; but tlie pos- 
 session of a throne could never yet afford a 
 lasting satisfaction to an ambitious mind." * 
 Severus was doomed to experience this bitter 
 truth: " Omnia fiii^ et nihil expedit!'^ was the 
 dying exclamation of this daring and successful 
 
 * See Lord Bacon's essay, " Of Empire," where this 
 restlessness of amliitious princes is discussed with his usual 
 sagacity.
 
 RELATING TO BHITATN. 41 
 
 despot, of whom scarcely one single act of mercy 
 or forbearance is recorded.* 
 
 Bodily infirmity and mental anxiety had made 
 inroads upon the naturally robust and vigorous 
 constitution of Severus, so much so, indeed, that 
 the gout had deprived him of the use of his feet ; 
 but, even in this state, the news of the revolt of 
 the Britons was welcome to the crippled emperor : 
 his mind found relief in activity, and he had long 
 been desirous of weaning his sons from the luxury 
 and effeminacy of Roman life. Herodian says, 
 that the governor of Britain -wrote to Severus, 
 informing him of the rebellion, and entreating 
 
 * Eutropius (lib.viii. c. 19), tells us that Severus was 
 attached to the arts of peace, and loved literature and phi- 
 losophy : and Dion Cassius (lib.lxxvi.) observes that, although 
 he was exceedingly covetous, and amassed money by any 
 means, he was a friend to literature. Such accounts are, 
 however, refuted by the pubHc acts of Severus. Of his par- 
 tiality to literary men we have no record ; and his restless and 
 ferocious disposition was utterly incompatible with philosophi- 
 cal studies. These descriptions, like TertuUian's character of 
 Severus and his sons, are to be taken cum yrano. Baudelot 
 (Utilite de Voyages) shrewdly conjectures that this idea of 
 Severus' love of the arts originated in the fact of his fondness 
 for seeing strange countries, which Spartian describes in 
 these words: — " Jucundam sibi peregrinationem banc propter 
 religionem Dei Serapidis, et propter novitatem animalium vel 
 locorum fuisse, Severus ipse postea semper ostendit : nam et 
 Memphin et Mcmnonem et Pyramides et Labyrinthum dihgen- 
 ter inspexit." 
 
 G
 
 42 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 him either tcj send reinforcements, or come im- 
 mediately ill [x'l'soii to reduce the revolted 
 islanders. The emperor, upon receipt of this 
 intelligence, caused proclamation to be made of 
 his intended expedition, and having soon col- 
 lected a formidable army, he commenced the 
 march with his usual rapidity, and soon arrived 
 in Britain. His unexpected appearance, with 
 such a force, astonished and alarmed the revolted 
 Britons, Avho immediately sent ambassadors to 
 iiegociate a peace and make terms with the ex- 
 asperated tyrant; but his wrath could only be 
 quenched in their blood. Nevertheless, he affected 
 to temporise; and having, by keeping the am- 
 bassadors in suspense for some days, gained 
 sufficient time to mature his plans, he dismissed 
 them \vith an assurance that he would take 
 ample vengeance. Herodian says, he was am- 
 bitious of the title of Britannicus^ and of crown- 
 ing his victories in other countries by erecting 
 trophies in Britain. This author informs us, 
 that the campaign was a hard one, even for a 
 general like Severus: he also gives us some 
 curious particulars of our savage ancestors, and 
 of their island. The country, he observes, was 
 in many places overflowed by the sea; and the 
 bogs and marshes presented great difficulties to 
 the operations of the Roman army. The natives
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 43 
 
 were scarcely acquainted with the use of clothes, 
 and were consequently prepared for swimming 
 or wading through the mud and water, when 
 desirous of retreating before their enemies.* He 
 speaks of their painted bodies, of which he says 
 they were very vain, and characterizes them as 
 a warlike and sanguinary race. Their arms, he 
 says, were a narrow shield, a lance, and a bow. 
 Defensive armour they had none; they looked 
 upon helmet and coat of mail as impediments to 
 their passage through the swamps and mo- 
 rasses, f 
 
 Leaving Geta to the government of that por- 
 tion of the island which remained in the Roman 
 interest, Severus and his son Antoninus, or, as 
 he is most commonly called, Caracalla, advanced 
 against the enemy, whom they overthrew in 
 several engagements ; not, however, \vithout suf- 
 fering severely : but ere the war was ended, the 
 growing infirmities of Severus compelled hun to 
 quit the field, leaving Caracalla to carry on the 
 
 * Dion Cassius (lib. Ixxvi.) says that their manners were 
 most simple ; that they had neither walls nor towns, nor cul- 
 tivated lands ; that they lived upon wild fruits, and by hunting ; 
 and that, although the sea abounded with fish, they never ate 
 any. 
 
 t Herodian tells us that these morasses continually emitted 
 thick vapours, which obscured the face of heaven.
 
 44 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 contest. Retiring to York, and finding his end 
 approaching, the emperor had his dying moments 
 embittered by the detection of his son's design 
 against his life ; for it is said, that this appalling 
 discovery reached the stern and relentless soul of 
 Severus, and that it hastened his death, which 
 took place in that city, in the year of Rome 964 
 (a.d. 211). In his last moments he recom- 
 mended unity to his sons, and, with charac- 
 teristic ferocity, urged his generals to prosecute 
 the Avar against the Caledonians until they were 
 exterminated.* 
 
 I now come to describe such of the coins of 
 Severus as have relation to the country in Avhich 
 he ended his eventful life, commencing with 
 one in large brass, which is generally considered 
 by mimismatists to have reference to some ad- 
 vantages obtained by the Romans over the Picts. 
 
 Obverse. L. SEPT. SEVERVS PIVS AVG. Lucius Sep- 
 timius Severus Pius Auc/usttis. Laureated head 
 of the emperor to the right. 
 
 Reverse. P. M. TR. P. XVIII. COS. P. P. Poniifcx 
 Maximus, Trihunitia Potestate decimum octavim. 
 Consul, Pater Patrice. The emperor in a mihtary 
 
 * Dion Cassias says it was foretold that Severus would not 
 return alive from Jiritain ; a prophecy which was doubtless 
 founded upon the knowledge of Caracalla's design upon his 
 life.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 45 
 
 ' dress, attended by two soldiers, each bearing a 
 
 standard, standing between his two sons : a captive 
 on the ground. 
 
 This coin, by the record of tribunitian power, 
 was struck a.d. 210. The advantages which it 
 boasts, are, however, very doubtful, as the ex- 
 pedition is said to have cost the Romans fifty 
 thousand men. 
 
 The next is also of large brass, and appears to 
 commemorate an important victory. 
 
 Obverse. L. SEPT. SEVERVS PIVS AVG. Lucius Sep- 
 timius Severus Pius Auxjustus. The laureated 
 and bearded head of Severus, to the right. All 
 his coins represent him with a beard, which he 
 wore, says Dion, out of respect to the memory of 
 Aurelius and Pertiriax. 
 
 Reverse. VICTORTAE BRITTANNICAE. Two winged 
 Victories attaching a circular buckler to a palm 
 tree, at the foot of which two captives are seated. 
 
 Some numismatists think that a double victory 
 is implied by the two figures holding the shield ; 
 but they may possibly be intended to indicate 
 that the glory was shared between Severus and 
 his son. The same type is repeated on another 
 coin of Severus, but it has the legend vict. brit. 
 p. M. TR. p. XIX. COS. III. p. p. 
 
 The middle or second brass coins of Severus 
 with allusion to Britain are the following : —
 
 46 COINS OF THE ROiLANS 
 
 I. 
 
 Obverse. SEVERVS PIVS AVG. BRIT. Severus Pius 
 Augustus Britannicus. Laureated head of the 
 emperor to the right. 
 
 Reverse. VICTORIAE BRITTANNICAE. Victory standing 
 between two captives seated on the ground, hold- 
 ing with both hands a standard transversely. 
 
 II. 
 
 Obverse. SEVERVS PIVS AVG. BRIT. Severus Pius 
 Aucjustus Britannicus. Laureated head of the 
 emperor to the right. 
 
 Reverse. VICT. BRIT. P. M. TR. P. XIX. COS. III. 
 P. P. Victorice Britanniece, Pontifex Maximus, 
 Tribunitia Potestate decimum nonum, Consul 
 tertium. Pater Patrice. A similar type to that 
 on the reverse of the preceding coin. 
 
 On these coins we find the title of Britannicus, 
 which Spartian informs us, he assumed on account 
 of his building the great wall to which his name 
 was afterwards given: — " Britanniam (quod 
 maximum ejus imperii decus est) muro per 
 transversam insulam ducto, utriusque ad finem 
 Oceani munivit : tmde etiam Britannici nomen 
 accepit :" but it is singular that Dion Cassius and 
 Herodian make no mention of such a defence. It 
 was probably after all nothing more than a re- 
 paration of the wall built by Hadrian. 
 
 The follo^Nang tjqies occur in gold and 
 silver : —
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 47 
 
 I. 
 
 Obverse. SEVERVS PIVS AVG. BRIT. Laureated head 
 
 of Severus to the right. 
 Reverse. VICTORIAE BRIT. Victorice Britamiicce. Vic- 
 tory standing- to the left, holding in her right hand 
 a garland, and in her left a palm -branch. 
 
 II. 
 
 Obverse. SEVERVS PIVS AVG. BRIT. Laureated head 
 
 of Severus to the right. 
 Reverse. VICTORIAE BRIT. Victory holding a captive. 
 
 The next are found only in silver 
 
 I. 
 
 Obverse. SEVERVS PIVS AVG. BRIT. Laureated head 
 
 to the right. 
 Reverse. VICTORIAE BRIT. Victory attaching a buckler 
 
 to the trunk of a tree. 
 
 II. 
 
 Obverse. SEVERVS PIVS AVG. BRIT. Laureated head 
 to the right. 
 
 Reverse. VICTORIAE BRIT. Victory seated on a shield, 
 holding in her right hand another shield, resting 
 on her knees, and in her left a palm-branch. 
 
 CLODIUS ALBINUS. 
 
 [a.d. 193 TO A.D. 197.] 
 
 Decimus Clodius Septimius Albinus, the son of 
 Cejonius Postumus by Aurelia Messalina, was a
 
 48 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 native of Haclrumetum in Africa. His parents 
 were noble, and, according to Capitolinus, lie 
 traced his descent from the ancient families, Pos- 
 tuniia and Cejonia,* 
 
 Whatever was the real character of this prince, 
 and it is difficult to glean the truth from the 
 accounts of the historians of the period, it is 
 certain that he obtained the favour and con- 
 fidence of Marcus Aurelius, who made him Con- 
 sul suffectus^ and that Commodus paid him marked 
 attention; for it is said, that that tyrant per- 
 mitted him to assume the rank of Caesar, a per- 
 mission of which he prudently declined to avail 
 himself. f Having been governor of Gaul, and 
 subsequently of Britain, he appears to have 
 awaited the turn of events on the death of Corn- 
 modus, when the news arrived of the murder of 
 Pertinax, and the succession of Didius Julianus, 
 who had purchased the empire ! Juhanus held 
 his honours but a few weeks, and was put to 
 death by order of the servile senate, who were 
 terrified at the news of the advance of Severus 
 upon the capital, with the legions of Pannonia. J 
 
 Arrived at the seat of empire, Severus, whose 
 craft and cunning were equal to his activity and 
 
 * Capitolinus, c. i. f Ibid. c. 10. 
 
 X Herodian, lib. ii. c.4l.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 49 
 
 ferocity, soon perceived, that though the conscript 
 fathers were subjected to his will, and the licen- 
 tious prajtorian guards stripped and banished, 
 he had yet two powerful rivals, each the general 
 of a well disciplined army. Pescennius Niger 
 was in Syria, and Clodius Albinus in Britain, 
 and both were in better favour at Rome than 
 himself. There was little time for deliberation; 
 and Severus appears to have decided at once 
 upon the course he should adopt. Having lulled 
 Albinus into fancied security by awarding to him 
 the title of Ca3sar, and striking coins with his 
 ef^gy and name,* he marched in person against 
 Niger, who after a succession of reverses was 
 finally overthrown near Antioch, and being over- 
 taken in his flight, his head was struck off, and 
 carried in triumph to the conqueror. 
 
 The next care of Severus was the destruction 
 of Albinus, who, during his absence in the East, 
 had ingratiated himself with the senate ; but lie 
 preferred stratagem and deceit to open hostilities, 
 and hoped to despatch his rival by assassination. 
 He therefore wrote to Albinus the following 
 letter, which is preserved by Capitolinus: — f 
 
 * O 2e Se/3>ypoC) Kcii irpoQ rfj}' tTvyK\r]TOV tci uvtci ai'EveyKioi', 
 (OQ iir fxdWoy avror (iq TrlfTTii' vrraydyoiTO, i'Ofiia^aTa re avrov 
 KonFiyai tTrerpexl^E, k. t. X. Herodian, lib.ii. c. 49. 
 
 t In Albino. 
 
 H
 
 50 coins of the romans 
 
 " Imperator Severus Augustus, Clodio Al- 
 bino C^SARi, Fratri Amantissimo, et Desidera- 
 
 TISSIMO, SALUTEM. 
 
 " Victo Pescennio, litteras Roinam dedimus, 
 quas Senatus tui amantissimus libenter accepit. 
 Te quasso, ut eo animo Rempublicam regas, quo 
 dilectus es frater animi mei, frater imperii. Bas- 
 sianus et Geta te saliitant. Julise nostra et te, 
 et sororem salutat. Infantulo tuo Pescennio 
 Prineo munera digna sue loco, tuoque mittemus. 
 Tu velim exercitus reipublica? ac nobis retentes, 
 mi unanime, mi carissime, mi amantissime." 
 
 The bearers of this treacherous epistle were 
 instructed to obtain a private audience of Al- 
 binus, and plunge their daggers into his breast ! 
 The intentions of Severus were, however, be- 
 trayed; and Albinus, perceiving that he was no 
 longer safe in his island province, condemned 
 the bearers of the letter, and crossing over to the 
 continent, assumed the style of Augustus. But 
 his active and subtle enemy was fully prepared 
 to meet him, and was marching for Gaul, with 
 his usual promptitude, at the head of a well 
 tried and powerful army. Herodian informs us, 
 that upon Albinus' arrival in Gaul, he encamped, 
 and sent orders to the prsefects of the neighbour- 
 ing provinces to furnish him with supplies of
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 51 
 
 money and provisions. Some obeyed the sum- 
 mons, for which they incurred the resentment of 
 Severus, who sacrificed them to his fury ; others, 
 from some unexplained cause, did not comply 
 with this request, and thereby preserved their 
 lives. 
 
 After several skirmishes, the two armies came 
 to a decisive action near Lyons. The struggle 
 was long and obstinate ; the Illyrian legions were 
 opposed to those of Britain, and the issue of the 
 contest remained for some time doubtful. It is 
 said however, that, during the conflict, the wing 
 which Severus commanded in person was thrown 
 into disorder; and that the emperor having been 
 unhorsed was compelled to divest himself of the 
 purple to avoid being captured. At this critical 
 juncture, Laetus, the general of Severus, advanced 
 and turned the fortune of the day. It is said, 
 that this man had an eye to the empire, and that 
 he lingered on the way with the detachment 
 under his command, when, having heard that 
 Severus was slain, he pushed forward with his 
 troops, whom he had commanded to march slowly 
 in order to keep them fresh and vigorous.* The 
 
 * Herodian says that Severus, after he had secured the 
 empire to himself, rewarded all his captains, with the exception 
 of Laetus, whom he put to death, believing that he meditated 
 treason on this important day.
 
 52 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 troops of Albiiius being broken and disordered 
 by the pursuit, were now assailed by the new 
 c:oiners, who drove them from the field with 
 great slaughter, pursuing them to the gates of 
 the city. Albinus fled with his scattered army, 
 and attempted to despatch himself; an act which 
 his pursuers nearly anticipated, for it is said, 
 they cut off his head while he yet breathed, and 
 carried it to Severus, who insulted it with the 
 most brutal indignity. Lyons was plundered and 
 burnt by the victorious soldiers : the horrors of 
 the scene may be imagined b}' those who are 
 familiar with the character of Severus. 
 
 Thus terminated the life of Clodius Albinus, 
 the last rival of the ferocious Severus. The 
 conqueror sent his head to Eome, to be exposed 
 in public, and with it a letter full of ominous 
 threatenings ; then, having appointed two go- 
 vernors in Britain (probably that one might be a 
 check upon the other), he put to death the friends 
 and adherents of Albinus, and confiscated their 
 estates, " making no distinction," says the his- 
 torian, " between those who had voluntarily 
 joined his rival's standard, and those who had 
 been compelled through fear of refusal." 
 
 Ha\nng poured out the measure of his wrath 
 on the adherents of Albinus in Gaul, Severus 
 liastened to Kome, where, after bestowing gifts
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 53 
 
 both to his soldiers and the people, he ascended 
 the tribune, bitterly reproached the senate for 
 their favouring the cause of his rivals, and con- 
 demned to death the most eminent men in that 
 assembly. It is said, that he had obtained the 
 private cabinet of Albinus in the sack of Lyons, 
 and that it contained many papers which afforded 
 evidence of the correspondence of the Caesar with 
 his friends in Rome.* 
 
 The name of the consort of Albinus is not 
 mentioned by historians ; but, from the letter of 
 Severus, given above, we learn that he had an 
 infant son named Pescennius Prineus.f These 
 were at first pardoned, but pity and mercy were 
 strangers to the breast of the ferocious despot, 
 who immediately afterwards caused them to be 
 murdered, and their remains to be cast into the 
 Rhone. 
 
 Coins of Albinus exist in gold, silver, and 
 brass. Those of gold are of extreme rarity, and 
 but four varieties are known. A coin in this 
 metal is preserved in the Imperial collection at 
 Vienna, and has been supposed to be a modern 
 fabrication, on account of its bearing the style 
 
 * Herodian, lib.iii. c.25,26. 
 
 t Tristan (Comm. Historiques) gives a coin of Pescennia 
 Plautilla, the wife of Albinus, but it is not authenticated.
 
 54 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 Pater Patrice^ while tlie obverse has that of 
 Ccesar* only; and a silver coin is described by 
 Eckhel from Vaillant as follows : — 
 
 Obverse IMP. CAES. CL. SEPT ALBIN. AVG. //;/- 
 
 perator Caesar Clodius Septimhis Alhinus Ancjns- 
 
 tus. Laureated head of Albinus. 
 Reverse. S. P. Q. R. P. P. OB C. S. Senntus populusque 
 
 Romaniis oh elves servalos. The whole within a 
 
 laurel garland. 
 
 Eckhel supposes that Albinus had a senate in 
 Gaul,f who conferred uj^on him the title of 
 Pater Patrice^ and cites the examples of Scipio in 
 Africa, and Cassar, as well as Postumus in Gaul 
 at a later period. It seems, however, equally 
 probable that these coins were prepared in haste, 
 and the dies engraved at a distance from the 
 capital of the empire, by artists inexperienced in 
 the business of minting. The following types 
 occur in gold. The reverses only are given. 
 
 1. APOLLINI AVG. COS. II. Apollo in a female habit. 
 
 The same type also occurs in silver. Aj)ollo 
 was a favourite deity of Albinus, as we learn 
 
 * There is no doubt that the coins of Albinus with the title 
 of KYGustns were minted after the detection of Severus' 
 design against his life, probably after his arrival in Gaul, for 
 they are of rude execution, very inferior to those bearing the 
 title of Ccvsar. 
 
 t Doct. Num. Vet. vol.vii. p. 164.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 55 
 
 from Capitolinus ; but why he is represented in 
 a female habit cannot so easily be explained. 
 On coins of earlier emperors Apollo is seen thus 
 depicted. 
 
 2. FORT. REDVCI COS. II. Fortune, with her attributes, 
 
 seated. 
 
 This type also occurs in silver; and as it is 
 found on the coins of Albinus, both with Augustus 
 and Ccesar, its precise application can only be 
 conjectured. At the sale of the Trattle cabinet, 
 a gold coin of this type was purchased for the 
 Due de Blacas at the extravagant price of £70 ! 
 
 3. PROVID. AVG. COS. Providence, with her attributes, 
 
 standing. 
 
 A type which is perpetually found on the coins 
 of other emperors. It is, therefore, hazardous to 
 refer its adoption by Albinus to any special 
 occasion. It occurs in gold and silver. 
 
 4. SAECVLO FRVGIFERO COS. II. A veiled bearded 
 
 figure, in a long robe, wearing a tiara, seated between 
 two sphinxes, each wearing the Phrygian bonnet. 
 
 This type, a most remarkable and unique one, 
 does not occur in silver. It was for a long time 
 a numismatic enigma, and has only recently 
 been illustrated by Mons. Lenormant.* That 
 gentleman supposes the seated figure to be the 
 
 * Revue Numismatique, Annee 1842, p. 90.
 
 5() COINS OF THE llOMANS 
 
 PhcEniciaii deity Alcou, or Sceculum, who was 
 worshipped at Hadruraetum, near Carthage, the 
 birth-place of Albinus. The epithet Frugi- 
 ferum seems to confirm this, for, in an inscrip- 
 tion given by Gruter, it appears that even so 
 late as the days of Constantine, the Roman colony 
 of Hadrumetum retained, among other names, 
 that of Frugifera. " coloniae concordiae 
 
 VLPIAE TRAIANAE AVGVSTAE FRVGIFERAE IIADRV- 
 
 METiNAE." This very singular type appears on 
 a brass medallion of Albinus. 
 
 The following types are in silver ; those marked 
 with a (*) having sometimes the title of Ccesa)\ 
 and sometimes those of Imperator and AugiiMus. 
 With the exception of Nos. 4 and 9, they offer 
 no peculiarities ; but the intent and significance of 
 these is palpable; while No. 18 is a type found 
 only on coins of Albinus, and not satisfactorily 
 explained by the earlier numismatic writers. 
 Captain Smyth* with great reason supposes tlie 
 naked figure to be the Genius of Fertility, an 
 opinion which receives something like coirfirma- 
 tion when we compare it with the remarkable 
 type described above. 
 
 1. CLEMRNTIA AVG. COS. II. 
 
 2. COS. II. iEsculapius standing with his attributes. 
 
 * Descript. Catalogue, p. 181. 
 
 i
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 57 
 
 3. FELICITAS COS. II. Felicity standing. 
 
 4. FIDES LEGION COS. II. The Roman eagle between 
 
 two military ensigns. 
 3. Same legend. Two hands joined. 
 
 A considerable number of denarii of this type 
 were discovered a few years since near Lyons. 
 They were of exceedingly rude workmanship, 
 and bore the title of Augustus. 
 
 G. FORTITVDO AVG. INVICTA. Hercules standing. 
 
 7. FORTVNA AVG. COS. 11. Fortune, with her attri- 
 
 butes, standing. 
 
 8. FORT. REDVCI COS. II. Fortune seated. 
 
 9. GEN. LVG. COS. II. Genius standing, with an eagle 
 
 at his feet. 
 
 10. lOVI VICTORI. Jupiter seated. 
 
 11. lOVIS VICTORIAE COS. II. Jupiter standing ; an 
 
 eagle at his feet. 
 
 12. MINER. PACIF. COS. II. (or MINER. PAC. COS. 
 
 II.) Minerva standing. 
 
 13. MONET. AVG. COS. II. Moneta standing. 
 
 14. PAX AVG. COS. II. Peace standing. 
 
 15. PROVID. AVG COS. Providence standing. 
 
 16. ROMAE AETERNAE. Roma-Victrix seated. 
 
 17. SAECVLI FEL. COS. II. A female figure holding a 
 
 caduceus and a branch. 
 
 18. SAECVLI FRVGIF. COS. II. Genius standing 
 
 naked, with radiated head ; in his right hand, a caduceus 
 and ears of wheat ; in his left, a rake. 
 
 19. SALVTI AVG. COS. II. Hygeia standing. 
 
 20. Same legend. Hygeia seated. 
 
 21. SPES AVG. COS. II. Hope. 
 
 22. SPES COS. n. Hope. 
 
 23. S. P. Q. R. P. P. OB C. S. within a garland.
 
 05 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 This coin is in the cabinet of Vienna. It has 
 the title of Ccesar on the obverse. Another 
 given by Yaillant has the title of Augustus. 
 
 24. VICT. AVG. COS. II. Victory marching-, or standing 
 inscribing- a buckler, her left foot on a globe. 
 
 2.5. VIRTVTI AVG. COS. II. An armed figure holding 
 the hasta and the parazonium. 
 
 Three brass medallions are known of this 
 prince. The type of one is precisely similar to 
 that of the remarkable gold coin, No. 4; the 
 others have the legend fortvnae redvci. For- 
 tune seated. 
 
 The first brass coins are : — 
 
 1. CONCORDIA. Concord seated, with her attributes. 
 
 2. COS. II. 7?!lsculapius standing. 
 
 3. FELICITAS COS. II. Felicity standing. 
 
 4. FORT. REDVCI COS. II. Fortune seated, 
 
 5. MINER. PACIF. COS. II. Minerva standing. 
 
 6. PROVID. AVG. COS. Providence standing. 
 
 7. SAECVLO FRVGIFERO. A naked male figure, with 
 
 radiated head, standing, holding in his right hand ears 
 of corn and a caduceus, and in his left a rake. 
 
 8. Same lecjend. A female figure, wearing the stola, standing, 
 
 holding a caduceus and a cornucopiae, her right foot on 
 the prow of a vessel.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 59 
 
 The second brass coins of Albinus are : — 
 
 COS. II. jEsculapius, with his attributes, standing. 
 FELICITAS II. Felicity standing, holding a caduceus. 
 FORT. REDVCI COS. II. Fortmie seated. 
 SAECVLO FRVGIFERO COS. II. A genius, as on the 
 large brass with this legend. 
 
 CARACALLA. 
 
 [a.d. 198 TO A.D. 217.] 
 
 Caracalla, upon the death of his father, con- 
 cluded a disadvantageous and inglorious peace 
 "with the Caledonians, and restored to them many 
 of their forts. He soon quitted the island, and 
 commenced a series of cruelties worthy of the 
 son of Severus. He put to death all the phy- 
 sicians who had refused to attempt the life of his 
 father, and included in the horrible proscription 
 those who had been charged mth his own and 
 his brother's education, because they had dared 
 to propose a reconciliation between them. The 
 tried ministers of his father shared the same fate ; 
 and in the follomng year, the discord of the 
 brothers ended in the death of Geta, who was 
 slain by Caracalla in the arms of his mother. 
 Another massacre followed of the friends of
 
 60 COINS OF THE ROIMANS 
 
 Geta, and even the buffoons and gladiators who 
 had contributed to the amusement of that un- 
 fortunate prince were involved in the common 
 fate.* The career of Caracalla, the most active, 
 
 * Herodianus, lib.iv. c.ll. The tyrant did his utmost to 
 blot out the memory of his brother, as Dion Cassius testifies, 
 though Spartian is silent on the subject. In Sestini's " Des- 
 crizione del Museo Hedervariano," Firenze, 1828, will be 
 found an account of some medallions of Caracalla and Geta, 
 struck at Stratonicea and at Pergamus, ivilh the head of Geta 
 erased, as Sestini supposes, in consequence of a rescript of 
 Caracalla. Mr. Birch, in a communication to the Numismatic 
 Society (Num. Chronicle, vol. i. p. 194), remarks that it is not 
 a little singular that the erasure should have been made on the 
 money of remote Asiatic towns, while the coinage of the 
 Imperial mint at Rome remained untouched. From this cir- 
 cumstance he is led to conclude that the erasure was effected 
 bv the time-serving and supple authorities of those cities, whose 
 offence was the associating the brothers as Avgusti, the coins 
 bearing the effigy of Geta alone, or the mere title of Csesar, 
 remaining uninjured ! Popular indignation appears to have 
 alarme i the tyrant, who we are told allowed his brother after 
 death to be styled " Divus," remarking " Sit Divus, dum non 
 sit vivus :" the historian adds, " Denique eum inter divos 
 retulit, atque ideo utcunque rediit cum forma in gratiam par- 
 ricida;" an account which is verified by coins of Stratonicea, 
 with a small head placed below the erased bust (or on the era- 
 sure), and the word GEOY. Besides this, the coins which bear 
 the heads of Severus and Domna have stamped on them a small 
 head, in countermark, and the words FET. OEOY, which 
 leaves no doubt as to the meaning of the solitary word on the 
 other. Specimens of these singular numismatic monuments 
 are in the collection of the British Museum.
 
 EELATING TO BRITAIN. 61 
 
 if not the most cruel of all the Roman tyrants, 
 Avas marked by rapine, violence, and slaughter; 
 and he finally fell by the hand of Macrinus, in 
 the year of Rome 970 (a. d. 217). 
 
 It is proper to observe, that more than one 
 emperor " assumed and polluted the respectable 
 name of Antoninus," and that Antoninus Pius is 
 found on the coins of Caracalla, and even on 
 those of the depraved Elagabalus. The numis- 
 matist will not require to be reminded of this ; 
 but to the inexperienced the observation is 
 necessary, because the occurrence of the name on 
 the coins of these two emperors has sometimes 
 led to an erroneous classification. The proper 
 name of Caracalla was Bassia7ius, as is shown by 
 the letter of Severus to Albinus, given by Capi- 
 tolinus; and it was only on his being created 
 Ciesar by his father, in the year of Rome 949 
 (a.d. 196), that he assumed the names of Marcus 
 Aiirelius Antoninus* which are found perpetually 
 on his money. 
 
 Some authors have supposed that Caracalla 
 was not the son of Severus by Domna, but the 
 
 * It is said, that he took these names because his father 
 had dreamed that he who bore them would succeed him in the 
 empire. It is well-known that Caracalla was a nickname 
 bestowed upon him on account of his wearing a Gaulish 
 garment.
 
 62 COINS OF THE EOMANS 
 
 commencement of Oppian's Cyneyctica^ -which the 
 poet dedicated to the tyrant, disproves this : — 
 
 Avrrui'iov Zr/rot; yXvKepui' daXoQ, 'At'TwyTt'e, 
 Toy f-ieyaXr) ^uyaXo) <l)iTvaaT() Aofii'u ij£/3//pw. 
 
 Ausonii Jovis dulcis stirps, Antonine, 
 
 Quem magna magno procreavit Domna Severe. 
 
 We have several coins of this prince relating 
 to Britain. I commence with the large brass. 
 
 I. 
 
 Obverse. M. AVREL. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG. Mar- 
 cus ylurelius Antoninus Pius Anc/ustus. Lau- 
 reated head of Caracalla to the right. 
 
 Reverse. VICT. BRIT. TR. P. XIIII COS. III. Ficlorice 
 Britannicce, Tribunitia Potestaie decimum qiiar- 
 tum. Consul tertiiim. Victory, her left foot on a 
 helmet, erecting a trophy, near which stands a 
 captive ; another captive bound, and seated on 
 the ground. 
 
 Those who are familiar with Roman coins will 
 recollect the peculiar shape of the German shield 
 which appears on the coins of Domitianus. Two 
 shields of the same shape are represented in the 
 trophy on this coin; but it is difficult to deter- 
 mine if they were copied from actual specimens. 
 Herodian says, the Britons carried a narrow 
 shield (scutus angustus), and these are certainly 
 of that shape.* 
 
 * Tacitus (Vit. Agricol. c. 36), says the Britons were armed 
 
 with ^hort i^llields ami louff swords ; " in^entibus "-ladiis et
 
 EELATING TO BRITAIN. 63 
 
 II. 
 Obverse. M. AVREL. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG. Lau- 
 
 reated head of Caracalla to the right. 
 Reverse. VICTORIAE BRITTANNICAE. A type similar 
 
 to that on the preceding coin. 
 
 III. 
 Obverse. M. AVREL. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG. Lau- 
 
 reated head of Caracalla to the right. 
 Reverse. VICTORIAE BRITTANNICAE. Two Victories 
 
 attaching a buckler to a palm-tree, at the foot of 
 
 which two captives are seated. 
 
 The same type occurs on a coin of Severus. 
 
 The middle brass coins of Caracalla with allu- 
 sions to Britain are the following : — 
 
 I. 
 
 Obverse. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG. BRIT. Laureated 
 head of Caracalla to the right. 
 
 Reverse. VICT. BRIT. TR. P. XIIII. COS. III. Fictori^ 
 Britannicce, Tribunitia Potestate decimum quar- 
 tum, Consul tertium. Victory inscribing a buckler 
 attached to a palm-tree ; her left foot resting on 
 a helmet. 
 
 II. 
 Obverse. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG. BRIT. Laureated 
 
 head of Caracalla to the right. 
 Reverse. VICTORIAE BRITTANNICAE. A similar type 
 
 to that of the preceding coin. 
 
 brevibus cetris :" and that the latter, though formidable 
 weapons, when there was room to wield them, were blunt at 
 the point " sine mucrone," and not fitted for a close engage- 
 ment.
 
 C4 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 A middle ])rass coin of Caracalla, in tlie cabinet 
 of Mr. Huxtable, has the radiated head of Cara- 
 calla, with the legend antoninvs pivs avg. The 
 reverse is the same as the above. 
 
 His gold coins are : — 
 
 I. 
 Obverse. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG. BRIT. Head of 
 
 Caracalla laureated. 
 Reverse. VICTORIAE BRIT. Victory marching, bearing 
 
 a trophy in one hand, and holding a captive with 
 
 the other. 
 
 II. 
 Obverse. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG. BRIT. Head of 
 
 Caracalla laureated. 
 Reverse. VICTORIAE BRIT. Victory seated on a heap of 
 
 arms. 
 
 His silver coins : — 
 
 I. 
 
 Obverse. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG. BRIT. Laureated 
 head of Caracalla to the right. 
 
 Reverse. VICTORIAE BRIT. Victorm Brilcnmicce. Vic- 
 tory running to the right, holding a standard 
 transversely with both hands. 
 
 II. 
 
 Obverse. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG. BRIT. Laureated 
 head of Caracalla. 
 
 Reverse. VICTORIAE BRIT. Victory marching with gar- 
 laud and palm-branch.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 65 
 
 GETA. 
 
 [a.d. 209 TO A.D. 212.] 
 
 The fate of this unfortunate prince has been 
 mentioned in the foregoing section. Although, 
 as Ave are informed, he did not take a personal 
 share in the expedition against the Caledonians, 
 the senate appear to have considered him entitled 
 to the surname of Britannicus^ and struck coins 
 in his honour. Of these there are several va- 
 rieties. The large brass are : — 
 
 I. 
 Obverse. IMP. CAES. P. SEPT. GETA PIVS AVG. 
 
 Imperator Ccesar Puhlius Sepfimius Geta Pius 
 Augustus. Laureated head of Geta to the right. 
 Reverse. VICTORIAE BRITTANNICAE. Victory seated 
 on a heap of arms, inscribing a shield, which she 
 rests on her knees. 
 
 II. 
 
 Obverse. IMP. CAES. SEPT. GETA PIVS AVG. Lau- 
 reated head of Geta. 
 
 Reverse. VICTORIAE BRITTANNICAE. Two Victories 
 suspending a circular buckler from the trunk of 
 a palm-tree, at the foot of which two captives are 
 seated. 
 
 A similar type occurs Avithout the two cap- 
 tives. 
 
 K
 
 G6 
 
 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 III. 
 
 Obverse. P. SEPTIMIVS GETA PIVS AVG. BRIT. Pub- 
 lius Septimius Gela Pius Augustus Britanniciis. 
 Laureated head of Geta. 
 
 Reverse. VICTORIAE BRITTANNICAE. Victory, her left 
 foot placed on a helmet, erecting a trophv, at the 
 foot of which is a captive standing, and another 
 seated on the ground, each having his hands tied 
 behind his back. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Obverse. P. SEPTIMIVS GETA PIVS AVG. BRIT. 
 Laureated head of Geta. 
 
 Reverse. VICTORIAE BRITTANNICAE. Victory erect- 
 ing a trophy, at the foot of which a captive is 
 seated. 
 
 There is a similar type with the legend vict. 
 
 BRIT. p. M. TR. P. II. COS. II. 
 
 V. 
 Obverse. P. SEPTIMIVS GETA PIVS AVG. BRIT. 
 
 Laureated head of Geta. 
 Reverse. VICT. BRIT. TR. P. III. COS. II. Vietorice 
 
 BriltanniccE, Tribunitia Potestate tertium, Consul 
 
 iterum. A type similar to No. I. 
 
 This coin was struck in the year that Severn s 
 died, and probably records the last successful 
 encounter mth the Britons of the north. 
 
 Other coins of Geta bear the legends victoriae 
 
 AVGVSTORVM VICTORIAE AETERNAE AVGG. (Au- 
 
 gustorum)., which may probably have allusion 
 to events in Britain. On the first of these, Cara-
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 67 
 
 calla in a military dress, and Gcta in the toga, 
 stand, supporting bet^veen them a globe, while 
 Victory holds a garland above their heads, a 
 bound captive sitting at their feet ; a type which 
 seems to allude to the milder duties of Geta in 
 Britain, while his father and brother were absent 
 in the northern expedition. Another coin has 
 Victory driving a biga, with victoriae avgg. 
 
 There is also a unique large brass coin which 
 was purchased by Captain Smyth, at the sale of 
 Mr. Willatt's cabinet : — 
 
 Obverse. P. SEPTIMIVS PIVS AVG. BRIT. PuUius 
 Septimius Pius Augustus Britannicus. Laureated 
 bearded head to the right. 
 
 Reverse. ADVENTVS AVGVSTI. Geta on horseback to 
 the left ; his right hand raised aloft, his left hold- 
 ing a javelin ; a helmeted soldier preceding him, 
 bearing a vexillum. 
 
 Captain Smyth observes of this fine coin, 
 " Though the legend of a medal has been aptly 
 styled its soul, it is often deficient in affording 
 entire satisfaction; and here is nothing to assist 
 exact chronology. The device probably records 
 the return of the prince from Britain, as cor- 
 roborated by other types of ' Adventus,' shewing 
 an equestrian figure of Geta, but mthout the 
 foot soldier."* 
 
 * Descript. Catal. p. 200.
 
 68 
 
 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 The second brass are : — 
 
 I. 
 
 Obverse. P. SEPTIMIVS GETA PIVS AVG. BRIT. 
 
 Publius Septimius Geta Pitts Aucjustus Bri- 
 tanniciis. Laureated bearded head of Geta to the 
 right. 
 Reverse. VICTORIAE BRITTANNICAE. Victory seated 
 on shields, holding a palm-branch and a shield, 
 which she rests on her knees. 
 
 11. 
 Obverse. P. SEPTIMIVS GETA PIVS AVG. BRIT. 
 
 Laureated and bearded head of Geta. 
 Reverse. VICT. BRIT. TR. P. III. COS. II. Victurice 
 Brittannicce, Tribunilia Potestate tertium. Consul 
 iterum. Victory inscribing a buckler attached to 
 a palm-tree, her left foot resting on a helmet. 
 
 Gold and silver : — 
 
 I. 
 
 Obverse. P. SEPT. GETA PIVS AVG. BRIT. Laureated 
 head of Geta to the right. 
 
 Reverse. VICTORIAE BRIT. Victories BrittanniccB. Vic- 
 tory standing to the left, holding in her right 
 hand a garland, and in her left a palm-branch. 
 
 This type occurs in silver, and also in gold, if 
 Ave may credit Mediobarba.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 69 
 
 II. 
 Obverse. P. SEPT. GETA PIVS AVG. BRIT. Laureated 
 
 head of Geta to the right. 
 Reverse. VICTORIAE BRIT. Victory marching and bearing 
 
 a trophy. 
 
 III. 
 Obverse- P. SEPT. GETA PIVS AVG. BRIT. Laureated 
 
 head of Geta. 
 Reverse. VICTORIAE BRIT. Victory standing holding a 
 
 branch and the hasta. 
 
 Observations on Roman Coin Moulds, dis- 
 covered IN England and in France. 
 
 [The papers which follow contain many inter- 
 esting particulars relative to the coin moulds, 
 principally of the age of Severus and his sons, 
 found at various times in Eno-land and on the 
 continent ; and those of M ]\I. Poey cV Avant and 
 Hiver throw so much light on this subject, 
 hitherto perplexing to numismatists, that an 
 apology for their appearance in this work will 
 not be needed. To the observations of the 
 learned Frenchmen are appended the remarks of 
 my friend, the Rev. J. B. Reade, who, by mi- 
 croscopic examination of the clay composing the 
 moulds discovered at Lingwell, has proved that 
 they were formed on the spot.']
 
 70 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 J * 
 
 " Having noticed in Camden's ' Britanni;i,'f an 
 account of some clay moulds for fabricating 
 Roman coins, found about the beginning of the 
 last century at Edington, in the county of Somer- 
 set, and understanding, from persons in the 
 neighbourhood, that they still continue to be 
 discovered there, I was induced, some time since, 
 to go thither with a party of friends; and we 
 were fortunate enough to be directed to a spot, 
 Avhere, in less than an hour's search, we picked u}) 
 several hundred of them. 
 
 " The field in which they were found, is a 
 meadow that bears no marks of ever having been 
 ploughed; which accounts for the moulds re- 
 maining so long undiscovered. It is situated at 
 the north edge of Polden Hill, at about a quarter 
 of a mile to the north of the village of Chilten. 
 We were led to this particular spot, by a person 
 who had some time before cut through a bed of 
 them in digging a drain. They were lying pro- 
 miscuously scattered over a space about four feet 
 
 * From the Archseologia, vol. xiv. 
 
 t Gough's Camden, vol. i. p. 71. A reference is made to 
 Aubrey's MSS,, but I searched for it to no purpose, amongst 
 his papers preserved at the Museum at Oxford ; as his MSS., 
 however, are not arranged, T may have overlooked it.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 71 
 
 square, and from six inches to a foot below the 
 surface of the ground. 
 
 " On carefully clearing away the earth which 
 adhered to the moulds, we perceived that we had 
 a m.uch greater variety, as well as a larger num- 
 ber, than had been elsewhere discovered. Such 
 moulds have been heretofore met ^dth in small 
 quantities at Ryton in Shropshire,* and at Lin- 
 givel in Yorkshire,^ and great numbers of them 
 at Lyons in France ; but all these appear to have 
 been of the Emperor Severus, Julia, his wife, or 
 Antoninus, i.e. Caracalla, their son; whereas, in 
 our collection, there are not only numerous im- 
 pressions of these, but also of Geta, Macrinus, 
 Elagabalus, Alexander Severus, Maximinus, 
 Maximus, Plautilla, Julia Paula, and Julia 
 Mamaea; besides a very considerable number of 
 reverses. Most of these moulds are in such 
 perfect preservation, as to admit of good casts 
 being made of them in sulphur, coloured "with 
 Vermillion, some of which, together with a few 
 of the moulds themselves, I now send for your 
 satisfaction, and that of the Antiquarian Society, 
 if you should think this letter worth commu- 
 nicating. 
 
 " In the accounts that have been published 
 
 * Phil. Trans, vol. xliv. p. 557. t Ibid. vol. xxiv. p. 2139.
 
 72 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 respecting them, in England, there is very little 
 more than the bare mention of their discovery, 
 and of the use to which they were applied; but 
 in the " Histoire de V Academie des Inscriptions^'' 
 torn. iii. p. 218, there is a very well written 
 paper on the subject, entitled, " Observations sur 
 r Usage de quelque Monies Antiques de Monnoies 
 Romai7ies, decoiwerts a Lyons ^'' the principal part 
 of which I insert in the note appended to this 
 article, as being extremely curious in itself, and 
 not accessible to every lover of antiquity: con- 
 tenting myself, to avoid repetition, with briefly 
 observing, that the object of the paper is to shew, 
 that these moulds were the instruments of illegal 
 coiners, which supposition is rendered very pro- 
 bable by the argument there adduced, and is 
 still further confirmed by the following circum- 
 stances attending this last discovery of moulds 
 at Edington. 
 
 " Though we have frequent instances, as in 
 the moulds at Lyons, of a head on one side, and 
 on the other a reverse, yet it often happens that 
 there are reverses on both sides, and these en- 
 tirely different from each other; which, as both 
 impressions must have been made at the same 
 instant, whilst the clay was moist, can only be 
 accounted for on the supposition that the coins 
 of several emperors were fabricated at one and
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 73 
 
 the same time, and this, it is evident, could only 
 take place in the hands of illegal coiners. 
 
 " The discovery of the wedge of base metal, 
 found together mth the moulds at Lyons, affords 
 certainly a strong presumption that they were 
 designed for the fabrication of base coins ; but it 
 is no more than a presumption : that such, how- 
 ever, was the use made of these which are in our 
 possession, cannot well be doubted, since we not 
 only found, as at Lyons, a lump of metal, but 
 likemse, in one instance, the very coin itself, 
 lodged in its mould, and formed like the lump of 
 a white metal resembling silver, but which, upon 
 examination, proves to be principally tin. 
 
 " The nature of these moulds, and the unlaw- 
 ful purpose to which they were applied, being 
 thus ascertained, it is natural to enquire whether 
 we are likely to derive any useful knowledge from 
 the great variety of figures and inscriptions found 
 upon them? To this I am reluctantly obliged 
 to answer, that, in my opinion, we are not. 
 The reverses of coins have frequently been of the 
 greatest service, by illustrating doubtful points 
 of history, and even by bringing to light circum- 
 stances and events unkno^vn to us before; but I 
 do not see how the reverses on moulds ever can 
 be made this use of, since it does not apply, "with 
 certainty, any given reverse to its proper front, 
 
 L
 
 74 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 unless it should happen that we are authorised 
 by the coin itself; in which case the additional 
 testimony of the mould is not wanted.* This 
 consideration has deterred me from troubling 
 you Avith the legends, or any particular descrip- 
 tion of the fronts and reverses. I cannot, how- 
 ever, help mentioning my hope that, though of 
 great use in elucidating general history, these 
 moulds, found at, and near Edington, in such 
 vast quantities, and in such various places, may 
 possibly hereafter contribute towards clearing up 
 the ancient topography of that particular neigh- 
 bourhood." 
 
 Note. 
 
 [Tra}islation.'\ 
 
 " The substance of these moulds is a baked white clay. 
 Their shape is flat and terminated by a circumference an inch 
 in breadth. Their thickness is two li(/nes at the edges, and 
 within this space it is diminished, on one or both sides of the 
 mould, by the depth of the coin, the type of which is there 
 impressed. We say on one or both sides of the mould, because 
 the greater number have, on one side, the impression of a 
 head, and on the other that of a reverse, while some of them 
 are impressed on one side only. Each mould has a notch or 
 indentation on one part of its edge, which reaches to the vacant 
 space formed by the body of the impressed coin ; and as the 
 flat shape and equality of the circumference of all the moulds 
 adapts them for joining together in such a relative arrangement 
 
 * See note f P'lge 77.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 75 
 
 as to bring the types of heads opposite to those of the re- 
 verses, of which an impression is preserved, and in a position 
 where all the notches meet each other, it is at once apparent, 
 that the furrow made by these indentations serves as a jet or 
 casting-hole to the group, or rouleau, formed by the junction 
 of moulds, for casting the metal intended for the coins. 
 
 " An ingot of debased silver, found at the same time and 
 place as these moulds, the green rust of which indicated the 
 large proportion of copper intermixed with it, leaves no room 
 to doubt that thev had been used for casting silver rather than 
 gold money. It appears from this description, and from the 
 use the ancients made of these moulds, that their mode of 
 making casts was very much like ours : but what is peculiarly 
 worthy of notice is the quality of earth they employed, which 
 was so excellent, and so well prepared, that after 1400 years, 
 their moulds are perfect enough to receive several castings." 
 
 After producing many arguments to prove that the only 
 legal method of coining among the Romans, was with the 
 hammer, the author asks : — " What can we suppose these 
 moulds to be, if they were not used by those forgers who 
 superadded debasement of the standard to counterfeit casting, 
 by largely increasing the proportion of alloy ? — as is evident 
 from the quality of the ingot discovered at the same time, 
 which coincides with the system of forgery alluded to in the 
 Theodosian code, in the following terms : — 'Si quis nummum 
 falsa fusione formaverit, universas ejus facultates fisco addici 
 prsecipimus, ut in monetis tantum nostris cudendae pecuniae 
 studiura frequentetur. — If any one shall fabricate coin by false 
 casting, we command all his property to be given up to the 
 treasury, in order that the business of coining money may be 
 carried on only in our own mints.' 
 
 " Hence arises that remarkable difference of value which is 
 often observed in many coins of the same reverse, of the same 
 epoch, and under the same emperor. This way of counter- 
 feiting money was more general than that of plating, from the 
 time of Pliny, who remarks, that it was practised with such
 
 76 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 dexterity, that it was so difficult to distinguish a piece of money 
 which had been coined from one cast in sand by a skilful 
 forger, that this knowledge had become a particular art, and 
 that some of these pieces were so well fabricated, that the 
 curious often gave many good coins to get possession of a false 
 one. The decline of the art of engraving, which, under Sep- 
 timius Severus, was already very considerable, and the altera- 
 tion which he had introduced in the standard of money, were 
 more and more favourable to forgers and false coiners, by ren- 
 dering their deceptions more easy ; so that the number of the 
 moulds which have been discovered at Lyons, at different 
 periods, leads us to think that these false coiners must have 
 existed in great numbers. Indeed, at length they became so 
 numerous, even in the cities where there were prefects of the 
 mint, and among the officers and workmen employed therein, 
 tliat they were able to form, at Rome, under the Emperor 
 Aurelian, a little army, who, for fear of the punishment with 
 which they were threatenetl, revolted against him, and killed, 
 at the first onset, 7000 of the regular troops." 
 
 IL* 
 
 " The Roman coin moulds which have, at diffe- 
 rent times, been found in France in great num- 
 bers together, and particularly at Lyons, have 
 exercised the curiosity of almost every antiquary. 
 At their head must be ranked Count de Caylus, 
 Avho has treated the subject at length. Opinions 
 are divided with regard to them ; some consider- 
 iiiir them the Avork of forii;ers, others thinkino" 
 
 From the Revue Numit^nuitique Fran^aise.
 
 KELATING TO BRITAIN. 77 
 
 that the Romans themselves, at certain epochs, 
 moulded their money; and especially about the 
 time when the quality of the silver began to be 
 greatly altered.* 
 
 " I have drawn two of these moulds to illustrate 
 my observations: and I hope to be able to 
 resolve, or at least to clear up, some difficulties 
 which have hitherto attended the subject. They 
 were obtained from a collection, discovered some 
 years ago, on the heights of Fourvieres, near 
 Lyons; thirty-four of them came into my pos- 
 session. It seems that there was a greater num- 
 ber of them ; and that this same discovery is the 
 subject of Grivaud de la Vincelle's work, entitled 
 ' A Collection of Ancient Monuments of Gaul.' 
 
 " No. 1 is, by the obverse, one of Soemias; 
 inscription, ivlia soemias avg. Reverse font. 
 TR. p. VI. cos.f Pallas, standing, holding in one 
 hand an inverted spear, and victory in the other. 
 
 * i. e. after the reigns of the Antonines. There had, how- 
 ever, heen occasional reductions in the standard of the Roman 
 silver, long previous to the reign of Antoninus Pius. The 
 Denarii of Mark Antony have about 10 grains of alloy in 56 
 of pure silver, while those of Augustus have about 2 grains 
 only of alloy ; this alone was sufficient to cause that mutiny of 
 the triumvir's soldiers, to which Pliny alludes. — /. Y. A. 
 
 t The legend of the reverse here illustrates the observations 
 which follow hereafter ; the pontifical and tribunitian record 
 can have nothino^ to do with a denarius of Soemias : it doubt-
 
 78 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 " No. 3 lias tlic liL'iid of Ciinicalla laureatcd, 
 with the mscription antoninvs pivs avg. without 
 any reverse. 
 
 " These moulds are of earth, Avhich has ac- 
 quired by fire a dark red colour, and the con- 
 sistency of brick. The paste of which they are 
 made is rather fine. 
 
 " It is easy to understand the way in Avhich the 
 ancients used these moulds to cast their money. 
 They first Avorked up some clay, so as to form a 
 tablet flat on both sides, and about two lignes* 
 thick on the border, Avhere it was rounded. A 
 piece of money was applied to each side, Avhicli 
 of course left a hollow impression in the clay. 
 The tablet intended to form the end of the pile, 
 had an impression on one side only. Care was 
 taken to place these tablets on one another, so 
 that the reverse corresponded with its head; 
 their misplacement would have produced some 
 
 less belongs to a coin of Severus or Caracalla ; certainly not of 
 her son Elagabalus, who held the tribunitian power but five 
 times. Of course, it is evident that, in the present instance^ 
 the reverse of the mould could never appear as the reverse of a 
 coin, having the head of Soemias : at the same time, it is 
 equally evident that the reverse of a mould, as inapplicable to 
 the head of Soemias as the present one, might, by a wrong 
 arrangement of the series, produce, what is popularly called, a 
 blundered reverse. — J . Y. A. 
 
 * The French li(jnc is the twelfth part of an inch nearly.
 
 EELATING TO BRITAIN, 79 
 
 of those wrong reverses, of which the instances 
 are not few on ancient coins.* Placed on one 
 another so as to form a roll or cylinder, they 
 were luted together Avith soft clay, tliat closed 
 all outlets. De Caylus speaks of a roll, con- 
 sisting of eight tablets, and which was not a com- 
 plete one. One is also mentioned in the History 
 of the Academy of Inscriptions, which must be 
 in the Cabinet de Medailles, at Paris, but the 
 author, M. Mahudel, does not indicate the num- 
 ber of tablets. M. Hennin, in his excellent 
 ' Manuel de Numismatique/ expresses his sur- 
 prise that on the moulds which exhibit a head 
 and reverse, the reverse does not correspond 
 with the head : it would be more surprising if it 
 were othermse, and M. Hennin's usual pene- 
 tration is here at fault. The tablet at the ter- 
 raiination of each pile, having only either a head 
 or a reverse, it is plain that the next in succession 
 must have either the reverse or the head cor- 
 responding, and so on. If each obverse had its 
 corresponding reverse on the same mould, the 
 
 * These coins with blundered or inappHcable reverses, were 
 at one time numismatic puzzles, and led to much false reason- 
 ing. They so often occur at this period of the Roman em- 
 pire, that the antiquary will do well to examine carefully all 
 specimens, before he ventures on any speculations concerning 
 them. — J. Y. A.
 
 80 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 whole pile must be a repetition of the same 
 mould, to produce the intended impressions: 
 but this is contrary to observation. 
 
 " The piles, when duly arranged, were subjected 
 to fire to receive the necessary hardness ; and it 
 only then remained to pour the melted metal 
 into the channel formed by the small notch, cut 
 on the edge of each mould. It is not kno^vn 
 whether the moulds were broken in order to get 
 out the pieces thus formed, or whether there was 
 another process of extracting them: it is pro- 
 bable, however, that the moulds served more 
 than once. Lastly, the jet of metal attaching 
 to each coin was carefully taken off. — De Caylus 
 says, that he used one of these moulds, which he 
 had properly cleaned, and obtained from it some 
 well formed pieces.* 
 
 "Were these moulds used by forgers, or by the 
 moneyers of the empire ? This cjuestion has been 
 made the subject of several dissertations; Caylus 
 embraces the latter opinion, and endeavours to 
 prove that the Romans must have equally used 
 coinage and founding, for the formation of their 
 gold and silver money. f In support of this 
 
 * This experiment, which has been repeated by the Rev. 
 J. B. Reade, and others, shews that the same pile of moulds 
 might be used for several castings. — /. Y. A. 
 
 t There does not appear to be any evidence that the Romans 
 ever cast their (/ohl coins. — J. Y. A.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 81 
 
 opinion, we must observe that it is precisely to 
 the period when the quality of the money was 
 singularly altered, that these moulds belong; so 
 far at least, as they have hitherto been dis- 
 covered.* On the other hand, it is incontest- 
 able, that much of the money of the reigns of 
 Septimius Severus, and his successors, is cast ; for 
 were their coins attributed to forgers, then, in 
 this case, the quantity of bad money would, 
 perhaps, have exceeded that of the good.f M. 
 Hennin, in his manual, does not pronounce a 
 decided opinion: he supposes that the forgers 
 may have been tacitly allowed by government. 
 This opinion has something specious in it; but it 
 is an unsupported conjecture. Grivaud de la 
 Vmcelle goes farther, and maintains that it must 
 be the workmen of the Mint at Lyons, who car- 
 ried on this clandestine mintage. The latter, as 
 well as Gerard Jacob Kolb, M. Champollion- 
 Figeac, and Mangeart, think that these moulds 
 belonged to forgers. The first of these, whose 
 
 * It is singular that among the moulds discovered at Ling- 
 well Gate, was one of Antoninus Pius. It was presented to the 
 Numismatic Society by the Rev. J. B. Reade. See note *, 
 page 82.-7. F. A. 
 
 t It is remarkable that the plated forgeries of the times of 
 the Caesars are, in some instances, much more numerous than 
 genuine coins ; witness the denarii of Claudius, and those of 
 Domitilla. — J. Y . A. 
 
 M
 
 82 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 opinion is much more decisive than that of the 
 other two, endeavours also to prove, that this 
 counterfeit issue must have taken phice only 
 under Alexander Severus.* But this point — of 
 no great importance to my present subject — does 
 not appear sufficiently clear. 
 
 " The opinion of these learned antiquaries does 
 not seem to me sufficiently fortified with reasons ; 
 I think it well to endeavour, in a few words, to 
 make up for their silence. The strongest reason, 
 in my opinion, for believing that these moulds 
 must have been used by forgers, is, that it 
 
 * The fact, that there are many ancient coins of Alexander 
 Severus which appear to have been cast in moulds, is not 
 sufficient to justify such an imputation. I am of opinion, 
 that the practice of casting pieces of an inferior quality, was 
 first resorted to either in the reign of S. Severus or Caracalla, 
 of both of whom the specimens are the most numerous ; though 
 even this circumstance would not be conclusive : for it is not 
 improbable, that an emperor, who resorted to such means of 
 false coining, would occasionally use the coins of his prede- 
 cessors, upon whom the odium would fall in the event of their 
 being detected by his subjects. Detection, however, was not 
 an easy matter ; the quality of the coins could only be as- 
 certained by the numidarii or money-changers, who, in their 
 turn, would be puzzled to pronounce on the fineness of money, 
 the quality and standard of which was, in all probability, never 
 publicly announced by the emperor. Complimentary legends 
 on Roman coins must be regai'ded with caution ; but it may 
 be mentioned, that Alexander Severus is styled, on some of his 
 monev, restitvtor monet^. — /. Y. A.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 83 
 
 appears certain, that the dies which coiners used, 
 were broken as soon as they were no longer 
 wanted. A very small number of these dies 
 have come do^vn to us, and yet their number 
 must have been immense, considering the extreme 
 variety of the impressions on money.* Is it 
 supposable, that they would have destroyed the 
 metal dies, and preserved the earthen moulds, 
 the destruction of which was far more easy ? 
 
 " I foresee an objection which mil not fail to be 
 raised ; since we allow, it will be said, that the 
 makers of money were able to make use of 
 moulds, how happens it, if they were of metal, 
 that not one has reached us? We conceive the 
 discovery of one of these metal moulds would 
 greatly simplify the question. The small num- 
 ber of dies that have been found, makes it not 
 unlikely that there existed also metallic moulds ; 
 besides, it is very credible, that the destruction 
 of these moulds must have been more particu- 
 
 * There is reason to believe, that, in almost every instance, 
 the dies were engraved punches, which yielded to every blow of 
 the hammer ; hence the very uncommon occurrence of two 
 coins from the same die. When the punch thus used ceased 
 to perform its office, the mutilated die was perhaps effaced, and 
 another engraved upon the same piece of metal. Still, as 
 M. Poey d' Avant suggests, the dies may have been destroyed 
 by the imperial command, in the presence of the Mint-master. 
 — /. Y. A.
 
 84 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 larly looked to, since the use of them would have 
 been much more easy than that of dies ; and the 
 forgers, who swarmed at that period, would not 
 have failed to use them, had they fallen into 
 their hands. 
 
 " These forgers profited by the reduction of 
 the quality of silver, to carry on their criminal 
 craft. This point seems to me evident; their 
 profits became more certain, and their produc- 
 tions were so much the more easy to pass the 
 more difficult it was to distinguish them from 
 genuine money. Lyons, being the seat of a 
 mint, the forgers would have established them- 
 selves there in preference. Aurelius Victor relates 
 that their number had increased to such a degree 
 in Italy, that under Aurelian, they formed a 
 body of sufficient importance openly to with- 
 stand this prince, and cause him in one en- 
 counter a loss of nearly 7000 regular troops. I 
 therefore maintain, that moulds of baked earth 
 of Roman coins were used by forgers; but, in 
 order to reconcile all opinions, I allow that these 
 works were secretly authorised by the Emperors, 
 who, involved in debt, in consequence of their 
 luxury and debaucheries, considered all means 
 good that tended to fill the coffers of the state : 
 this would not, however, explain why the moulds 
 were not destroyed. 
 
 " F. PoEY d' Avant, de Melle."
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 85 
 
 III.* 
 
 Account of a Manufactory for Money, dis- 
 covered AT DaMERY in the DEPARTMENT OF 
 
 Marne, 1830. 
 
 " The examination of the question, whether the 
 moulds for Roman money found near Lyons, 
 had been used by forgers, or by the officers of 
 government, an inquiry in which M. Poey 
 d' Avant has lately been engaged, after the 
 Academy of Inscriptions, and almost all the 
 antiquaries of the eighteenth and nineteenth cen- 
 turies, gives a new value to the discovery now 
 under consideration ; and in fact, though it may 
 not decide the question, it at least throws a new 
 light upon it. 
 
 " During the mnter of 1829-1830, some ex- 
 cavations made in a very small part of the site 
 of the park of the old castle of Damery, a town 
 near Epernay, built on the ruins of Bib^, the 
 first station on the military road from Rheims to 
 Beauvais, brought to view, at the depth of several 
 feet, under a heap of ashes charcoal and broken 
 tiles, the remains of extensive buildings de- 
 molished by fire, having evidently served for 
 
 * From the Revue Numismatique Fran^aise, torn. i.
 
 86 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 baths and a moneyer's workshop. In some ad- 
 joining apartments, there were found, in a short 
 space of time, several vases full of coins. 
 
 " The first vase contained at least 2000 pieces 
 of base silver, more than 1500 of which bore the 
 head of Postumus ; the remainder presented the 
 series which is generally found from the elder 
 Philip down to that tyrant : the only rare piece 
 was one of the younger Macrianus ; the reverses, 
 although very various for the coins of Postumus, 
 were all common ; lastly, the fabric was bad, and 
 the metal much alloyed: and those mth the 
 impression of Postumus were comparatively more 
 defective than the others. 
 
 " Another vase contained : — 
 
 " 1. A silver coin of Antoninus. 
 
 "2. Five small brass, of the money of Treves, 
 Avith the types of Rome and Constantinople. 
 
 "3. 100 other small brass, of the money of 
 Treves, Lyons, Aries, Aquileia, Sisseg (P. S), 
 and Rome ; Avith the impressions of Constans and 
 Constantius, sons of Constantine, and having for 
 those three emperors, the three same reverses, 
 viz., FELIX TEaiP. REPAEATio; a warrior giving 
 his hand to a small figure — same inscription, the 
 emperor standing on a galley — victoriae dd. 
 AVGG. NN. Victories presenting croAvns. 
 
 " 4. About 3900 pieces in small brass of the
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 87 
 
 fourth size, all in perfect preservation, and all 
 vnih the impressions of the same emperors, Con- 
 stans and Constantius, and with the unusual 
 reverse of a Phoenix on a globe, placed on a rock, 
 with the inscription felix temp, reparatio. 
 
 " The greater part of these pieces bore on the 
 exergue the mark of the money of Treves, several 
 that of the money of Lyons, and one only bore 
 the exergual letters sis, attributed in like 
 manner to the money of Sisseg. The types were 
 various. Nevertheless, and in the face of these 
 formal indications of manufacture in places far 
 distant from one another, the identity of the 
 alloy and of the impression of these 3900 coins 
 was such, and their preservation so perfect and 
 so equal, that the thought forces itself upon us, 
 that they had been made in the same manufac- 
 tory, and that they had never quitted it to be 
 put into circulation. This supposition, justified 
 also by the uniformity of the impressions, seems 
 fully confirmed by the discovery in an adjoining- 
 apartment, of a money manufactory in full ac- 
 tivity. 
 
 " There, under a heap of ashes and tiles, were 
 found together, shears, and the remains of other 
 iron instruments, suitable for the making of 
 money; and several collections of moulds of 
 baked earth, still containing the pieces which had
 
 88 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 been cast in them, and the ingot formed by the 
 superfluous metal. These moulds, not so thick, 
 and of a coarser earth than those communicated 
 by M. Poey d' Avant, were in other respects 
 entirely similar. Like those found at Fourvieres, 
 they were moulded from the money which they 
 were intended to reproduce, by pressing the 
 models between disks of worked clay of larger 
 diameter, in order to form ledges, and were then 
 placed one upon another, so that with the ex- 
 ception of the first and last, they received on 
 each face the stamp of the obverse and the re- 
 verse of a piece. The cavities and the impres- 
 sions being obtained by this process both easily 
 and accurately, the disks composing the moulds 
 were notched, in order to form a passage for the 
 fused metal; they were then hardened in the 
 fire, replaced on one another, notch over notch, 
 and in the same order as when moulded, and 
 lastly, luted with clay, so as to form a cylinder 
 similar to that found at Fourvieres, and described 
 by M. de Caylus. 
 
 " But the last operation that preceded the found- 
 ing escaped the notice of that antiquary. The 
 piles of moulds were combined in threes,* placed 
 
 * It may be observed that a double and not a triple pile was 
 used at Lingwell Gate, as appears from the drawing which I 
 have received from the Rev. S. Sharp, of Wakefield. — ,7. Y./4.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 89 
 
 at the side of one another, and in contact, so that 
 the notches, for the introduction of the metal, 
 communicated with the hollow space formed by 
 the three cylindrical surfaces when applied to 
 one another; which space, therefore, served as a 
 general channel for the melted matter. Such 
 was the disposition of the groups of moulds found 
 in the ruins of Bibe. The ingot drawn in illus- 
 tration of these observations, is one of those 
 formed by the superabundant metal in the chan- 
 nel. It is bristled with three longitudinal lines 
 of twelve points each, more or less prominent, 
 these points being the remains of the ramification 
 of metal that entered by the notches of the 
 twelve moulds, in each of the three piles con- 
 stituting the group; and thus thirty-six pieces 
 were cast at once. These observations, M. de 
 Caylus was not enabled to make. There is no 
 doubt but these moulds, as well as those much 
 more perfect, found at Fourvieres, were used for 
 more than one casting. With a little care, the 
 pieces were taken out without breaking the 
 moulds; and M. de Caylus made an experiment 
 on the latter, which even some of those found in 
 the ruins of Bibe might bear, although they had 
 undergone, at the time of the conflagration of 
 this Koman establishment, the action of tlie 
 jnost violent fire. The moulds found at various 
 
 N
 
 90 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 times at Fourvieres, were of the types of Sep- 
 timius Severus, Julia Domna, Caracalla, Geta, 
 Soemias, Msesa, and Alexander Severus. 
 
 " Only thirty-two moulds were found uninjured 
 in the ruins of the work at Bibc, and these are 
 scarcely the tenth part of the whole. Three 
 bear the head of Caracalla, four that of the 
 elder Philip, and twenty-five that of Postumus 
 Avith nine varieties of reverses. 
 
 " The following is the description in detail of 
 the unpressions on the moulds preserved in the 
 cabinets of M. Lucas Desaint, of Rheims, and 
 M. Thiers, with the number of duplicates. 
 
 CARACALLA. 
 
 ANTONINVS PIVS AVG. GERM. Crowned head (large 
 size). 
 
 Rev. VENVS VICTRIX. Venus Victrix, standing, having a 
 figure of Victory on her right hand, and the hasta 
 transversely in her left; her elbow leaning on a buckler. 
 
 Bev. SECVRITAS PERPETVA. Minerva standing. 
 
 Rev. CARITAS MVTVA AVGG. Two hands joined. 
 
 PHILIP THE ELDER. 
 
 IMP. PHILIPPVS AVGG. 
 
 Rev. ^TERNITAS AVGG. A figure on an elephant. 
 Rev. SiECVLVM NOVVM. Jupiter in a temple. 
 Rev. FIDES EXERCITVS. Four military standards. 
 Rev. SiECVLARES AVGG. Hippopotamus. 
 
 POSTUMUS. 
 
 IMP. C. POSTVMVS P. F. AVG. 
 
 Rev. FELICITAS AVG. A woman standing, her I'ight 
 hand on a long caduceus, and holding in her left a 
 
 cornucopia. (4 dupl.)
 
 RELATING TO BEITAIN. 91 
 
 Rev. MONETA AVG. Moneta standing. (2 duj)l.) 
 
 Rev. L^TITIA AVG. Galley. (2 dupl.) 
 
 Rev. S^CVLI FELICITAS. The emperor in military 
 
 costume, holding a globe, and the hasta transversely. 
 
 (7 dii-pl) 
 Rev. FIDES EXERCIT. Two ensigns. (3 dupl.) 
 Rev. HERCVLI DEVSONIENSI. Hercules standing, 
 
 leaning on his club. (3 dupl.) 
 Rev. HERCVLI PACIFERO. Hercules standing, holding 
 
 a branch. 
 Rev, NEPTVNO COMITI. Neptune standing. 
 Rev. DIANA LVCIFERA. Diana. 
 Rev. Without impression. 
 
 "We may suppose that the broken or dispersed 
 moulds reproduced the different impressions of 
 the silver pieces found in great numbers in the 
 apartments adjoining the workshop, pieces which 
 must in great measure have proceeded from the 
 active casting that was going on. This suppo- 
 sition seems especially to hold for the 1500 silver 
 pieces of Postumus, in which the bad alloy and 
 defective make were particularly remarkable. 
 With respect to the 3900 small brass, with the 
 reverse of the phoenix, it is maintained, that they 
 were struck in the manufactory of Bibe, although 
 bearing the marks of the money of Treves and 
 Lyons. And indeed it is conceived, that in 
 those times of confusion, the money of the em- 
 perors must have followed their camps, and been 
 continually within reach of their residence. The 
 sinmltaneous discovery under the same ruins of
 
 92 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 these small brass coins, Avitli the effigies of Con- 
 stans and Constant ins, and of moulds still en- 
 closing the money of Caracalla, Philip, and Pos- 
 tumus, which had been cast in them, proves 
 besides this very important fact, that the latter 
 had been made under the i^eign of those two first 
 emperors only. Independently of these consider- 
 able stores, there have been frequently found at 
 Damery, isolated pieces ; but none of those sub- 
 mitted to my inspection was after the reign of 
 the sojis of Constantine, the period to which we 
 must assign the total ruin of Bibe by the Franks, 
 who then were making incursions into Belgic 
 Gaul. 
 
 " The following conclusions result from these 
 discoveries, discoveries which we have endea- 
 voured minutely to describe, and which are of 
 more importance to the critic than those of Four- 
 vieres : — 
 
 "1. That if, according to the testimony of 
 Pliny, forgers were the first to adopt the method 
 of casting, to counterfeit ancient money, the 
 emperors from the time of Postumus availed 
 themselves of this process to reproduce secretly, 
 and in metal of bad alloy, the money of their 
 predecessors. 
 
 " 2. That it is to these reproductions (clan- 
 destine) we must attribute the enormous quantity
 
 RELATING TO BEITAIN. 93 
 
 of silver money, of inferior quality and defective 
 make, with the impressions of the Cassars, from 
 the time of Septimius Severus, down to Pos- 
 tumus. 
 
 " Lastly, they explain the total want of silver 
 money, from Victorinus to Dioclesian, and the 
 great rarity of that of the lower empire. 
 
 " In fact, it results, from these discoveries, 
 that under the reigns of the Ctesars, Constans, 
 and Constantius, there were cast, in a mint es- 
 tablished at Bibe, large quantities of money, 
 "with the stamp of the emperors who had reigned 
 from Caracalla to Postumus; and that this 
 manufactory, situated in the heart of a town, and 
 near public baths, did not belong to forgers, but 
 was for the imperial money; in which copper 
 money was struck with the die of the reigning 
 emperors, and the silver money of the ancient 
 Caesars, still more adulterated than the original 
 pieces, was reproduced by founding. Hence the 
 possibility that the reigning emperor did not 
 strike silver money with his die, nor maintain 
 faithfully the quality of the small quantity which 
 he issued ; since at the same time that he threw 
 into circulation the quantity of specie necessary 
 for civil and commercial transactions, by means 
 of ancient money secretly reproduced, he di- 
 minished its intrinsic value. It was besides
 
 94 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 evident that the small number of silver pieces 
 struck Avith the die of the Caesars, from the time 
 of Dioclesian down to the destruction of the 
 Western Empire, could not satisfy the wants of 
 the public; and that even in those disastrous 
 times, the money of the former Caesars had con- 
 tinued current during that period, but, dis- 
 appearing in the continual concealments that 
 took place in consequence of war and endless 
 ravages, the emperors, to their great profit, clan- 
 destinely reproduced it, instead of multiplying 
 specie of good standard, struck with their own 
 die. We conceive, then, that having the choice, 
 they reproduced in preference money, the quality 
 of which had been reduced previously ; and thus 
 all the moulds discovered, bear the head of Sep- 
 timius Severus who had altered the money first, 
 and of his successors doAvn to Postumus, who had 
 all followed his example ; for though it is easy to 
 discover, by mere inspection, whether the silver 
 of any money be pure or not, it is impossible to 
 judge, by this means, of the quantity of adul- 
 teration. 
 
 " It had long been remarked, that there was a 
 great inequality in the degree of alteration (or 
 reduction) of the money struck at the same 
 time, and with the mark of the same emperor. 
 We cannot now doubt that such differences
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 95 
 
 are the consequence of these fraudulent repro- 
 ductions. 
 
 " And thus, if the emperors punished the al- 
 teration of the money as a sacrilege, it was cer- 
 tainly with the view of securing to themselves 
 the monopoly of this shameful source of profit. 
 
 " HiVER." 
 
 IV.* 
 
 Observations on the Roman Coin-Moulds 
 
 FOUND AT LiNGWELL-GaTE, NEAR WaKEFIELD, 
 
 IN THE YEARS 1697, 1706, 1820, and 1830. 
 By THE Rev. J. B. Reade, M. A., F.R.S. 
 
 " It was my design, in a former paper,*)* to state, 
 in few words, the present position of the question 
 which has been raised, as to the origin and use 
 of Roman coin-moulds, and also to suggest an 
 expedient for its solution. As regards the for- 
 mation of the moulds, it is supposed either that 
 they were sent from Rome, — or that they were 
 made of sand which had been brought to the place 
 where they are found, — or that they were made 
 of the sand and clay of the spot ; and each of 
 these opinions has able advocates. As regards 
 
 * From the Numismatic Chronicle, vol.i. 
 t Numismatic Journal, vol.ii. p. 58.
 
 96 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 the metallic currency which these moulds were 
 designed to furnish, it is supposed that it either 
 proceeded wholly from the clandestine operation 
 of forgers, — or that the authorities countenanced 
 this iUicit extension of public money, and availed 
 themselves of the supply, — or, that under the 
 express sanction of the senate, the colonial sol- 
 diers were hereby provided with lawful coin of 
 the realm. Here also, as before, we might sup- 
 port these different views by important documents 
 which have been laid before learned societies. 
 When, however, such and so many conflicting 
 statements are brought before us, it immediately 
 strikes us, notwithstanding the allowed skill of 
 the debaters, that they cannot all be true ; while, 
 at the same time, the ability mth which such 
 different positions are maintained, renders it very 
 difficult to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion. 
 Under these circumstances, an appeal to facts 
 appears to be our only resource. 
 
 " With regard then to the origin of these 
 moulds, the means by which I propose to prove 
 generally, that they were made on or near the 
 spot where they are from time to time discovered, 
 has especial reference to the extensive and inte- 
 resting series which has been found at Lingwell- 
 Gate. In the course of an enquiry into the solid 
 materials which constitute the ashes of plants,
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. i'T 
 
 and of which silica is a very iiii[)ortaiit one, I 
 observed that the minute and beautiful organi- 
 zation which this substance exhibits, is not easily 
 disturbed by pressure, in consequence of its 
 extreme minuteness, while, from the very nature 
 of the material, it is necessarily indestructible by 
 heat. Hence, under the expectation of finding 
 other traces of siliceous structure, I was led to 
 the examination of silica as it enters into the 
 different strata which form the crust of the 
 earth; and thus the siliceous particles consti- 
 tutino; the chief mass of Roman coin-moulds Avas 
 subjected to microscopic examination. Passing 
 by many observations, which would readily pre- 
 sent themselves on the nature of this mode of 
 investigation, I proceed to state, that the dis- 
 covery of more than one species of well known 
 Fossil Infusoria^ of the genus Navicida, in the 
 sand of some of the coin-moulds, seemed to point 
 out a new, but apparently effectual expedient, 
 for enabling us, without much risk of error, to 
 assign the moulds in question to their proper 
 locality. For, should it appear upon subsequent 
 examination, that the common soil, or sand of 
 the field in which the moulds were found, is 
 characterised by siliceous shields of similar in- 
 fusoria, then it would be the most natural and 
 obvious conclusion, that the Koman coin-moulds 
 
 o
 
 98 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 turned up by the plough at Liugwcll-Gate, were 
 made on the spot, and of the soil where they were 
 found. A recent journey to Yorkshire gave me 
 an opportunity of investigating, and of verifying 
 this curious speculation; and I can now state 
 that the sand of the field, which I have carefully 
 examined, is marked by the presence of the in- 
 fusoria of the coin-moulds. The general form of 
 these animalcules is elliptical, having a major 
 axis of about the y^ of an inch, and the length of 
 the major and minor axis, in the proportion of 
 nearly 6 to 1 : there are also about 100 minute 
 stripes at right angles to two parallel and central 
 longitudinal lines ; and at each extremity, and in 
 the middle of these lines, there is a small circular 
 orifice. It appears, from a memoir by Professor 
 Ehrenberg, that these infusoria are widely dif- 
 fused ; and when they occur in masses, or layers, 
 the aggregation receives the name of tripoli, and 
 is largely used for purposes of practical utility; 
 for, as Professor Ehrenberg remarks, ' The sol- 
 dier cleans his arms with tripoli, the worker in 
 metal, the locksmith, and the engraver, polish 
 Avith infusoria, which also serve for moulds in 
 foundries.' For this latter purpose, we shall not 
 be disposed to doubt that they were used at 
 Lingwell-Gate. 
 
 " The second main point in this inquiry, pre-
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 99 
 
 seiits greater difficulty than the first. But here 
 also, no small advantage may be gained, by a 
 comparison of the different local circumstances 
 which are connected with the most recent dis- 
 coveries of these moulds in this country and on 
 the continent: I allude to the discoveries at 
 Lingwell-Gate, in the county of York, and at 
 Damery in the department of Marne. Of the 
 discovery at the latter place, a very elaborate 
 account has been furnished by M. Hiver, Pro- 
 cureur du Roi at Orleans, in the Revue de la 
 Numismatique Fran9aise, No. 3, Mai et Juin. 
 But as a translation of this memoir is inserted in 
 the present number of the Numismatic Chronicle, 
 it will suffice to state that the facts detailed and 
 established by M. Hiver, necessarily lead us to 
 the following important conclusion: — viz. that 
 under the reigns of the Cassars, Constans and 
 Constantius, and immediately prior to the ruin 
 of Bibe by the Franks, who were then making 
 incursions into Belgic Gaul, there were cast, by 
 means of moulds, in a mint estabhshed at Bibe, 
 large quantities of money, with the type of the 
 emperors who had reigned from Caracalla to 
 Postumus; and, that this manufactory, situated 
 in the heart of a town, and adjoining the public 
 baths, did not belong to forgers, but was for the 
 imperial money; in which copper money was
 
 lUU COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 struck with the die of the reigning emperors, and 
 the silver money of the ancient Caesars Avas re- 
 produced, not in copper, but in base silver, from 
 the moulds. 
 
 " If now we refer to the very different cir- 
 cumstances which are connected with the dis- 
 covery at Lingwell-Gate, we shall find that the 
 clandestine operation of forgers stands in striking 
 contrast with the recognised and open proceed- 
 ings of the constituted authorities at Bibe. Con- 
 cealment here takes the place of publicity ; and 
 the selected spot is no longer in the centre of a 
 town, but in the heart of a forest ; and at a dis- 
 tance from the main road, instead of near public 
 baths. The money, also, now produced, and 
 A\'hich, in some instances, is still remaining in 
 the moulds, was not of largely alloyed silver, as 
 at Bibe, but of copper ; and since, at this period 
 of the empire, mere copper denarii would be 
 worse than useless, there can be no doubt that 
 the skill of the forgers would supply a coating of 
 silver, before putting them into circulation. 
 
 " On the whole, therefore, it seems to amount 
 almost to a certainty, that the moulds were 
 made on, or near, the spot where they are from 
 time to time discovered, and they were used in 
 common by forgers, and by the Triumviri Mo- 
 netales; by the former at Lingwell-Gate, for the
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 101 
 
 purpose of procuring a private supply of coun- 
 terfeit money ; and ])y the latter at Elbe, for the 
 purpose of filling the 'exhausted coffers of the 
 state with a debased coinage of the ancient 
 C^sars. Thus, in each case, it is evident that, 
 in those degenerate days, both kings and subjects 
 acted out, in practice, what in the Augustan 
 age was confined to words : — 
 
 ' O cives, cives, quserenda pecunia primum est. 
 Virtus post nummos.' — Hor." 
 
 A few years since, another discovery of moulds 
 was made during some excavations at Castor in 
 Northamptonshire, the Durobriv£e of Antoninus. 
 Engravings of specimens, together with the ap- 
 paratus for casting, will be found in a work by 
 Mr. T. Artis.* They offer, however, no pecu- 
 liarities, and are merely mentioned here for the 
 purpose of shewing that casting was extensively 
 used at this period of the Eoman empire. 
 
 I had long been of opinion that many of the 
 denarii of the time of Severus, as well as the 
 small brass of a later period preserved to our 
 times, were cast coins, though age had helped 
 
 * " The Durobrivpe of Antoninus identified, &c." atlas folio.
 
 102 
 
 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 to obliterate nearly all traces of the mould. The 
 precedmg })a|}ers sho3Y „.that these conjectures 
 were well-founded. In the British Museum are 
 several • dlay -It) ordlds, bearing impressions from 
 the very common and abundant types of the 
 Constantine family. The place of their discovery 
 is not kno'vvn. 
 
 I 
 
 Bronze vessel, containing gold and silver coins of Roman Emperors fiom Nero 
 to Hadiian, found in the crevice of a rock, at Thorngraflon, near Hexham, in 
 Northumberland, in the year 1837. 
 
 i
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 103 
 
 POSTUMUS. 
 
 The coins of this usurper are often discovered in 
 immense numbers in France, and are perpetually 
 turned up by the plough and the spade in Eng- 
 land. It is very probable that his rule extended 
 to Britain, and that some of his money was 
 struck in the province ; but we have no proof of 
 it. The large brass coin given by Yaillant,* and 
 other numismatic writers, with the legend exer- 
 CITVS Ysc, and attributed by them to Isca 
 Silurum,f are not admissible here : it is not 
 unlikely that the ysc. as well as the vac, J at- 
 tributed to the Yaccei in Hispania Tarraco- 
 nensis,§ are blundered or ill-formed attempts at 
 AVG.,|| which really does occur on other coins of 
 Postumus. There are several medallions of this 
 usurper both in gold and in brass, some of which 
 are of superior design and execution to the coins 
 of the period. 
 
 * Num. Imp. Rom. torn. i. p. 191. 
 
 -j- " Ysca urbs Anglise in regione Silulorum, in qua secunda 
 Legio August! hyemabat, qufe fidem Postumo prsestitit." 
 
 X Num. Imp. Rom. tom. i. p. 191. 
 
 § Ibid. p. 192. 
 
 II Eckhel, Doct. Num. Vet vol.vii. p. 442, considers these 
 coins as blundered.
 
 104 COINS (W THE liOxMANS 
 
 VICTORINUS. 
 
 The small brass coins of Victorinus are found 
 repeatedly in every part of England. Among 
 them are frequently seen rude imitations, of most 
 barbarous workmanship, which may be the at- 
 tempts of incompetent and unauthorised persons 
 in Britain. Coins of Yictorina, the mother of 
 this usurper, have been cited, but they are, 
 doubtless, blundered pieces of her son. 
 
 The types of the coins of Victorinus are very 
 immerous. The portrait is striking, and doubt- 
 less an authentic hkeness, since it may be observed 
 to vary but little even on what appear to be rude 
 and hastily struck pieces. On the brass medallion 
 in the national collection at Paris, it is perfectly 
 identical with those upon the inferior pieces. 
 
 MARIUS. 
 
 There are coins of this usurper in gold, base 
 silver, and small brass. They are noticed here, 
 not on the supposition that any of them were 
 minted in Britain, but simply to record the fact 
 that, brief as his reign was, tliii'd brass coins of
 
 RELATING TO BIUTAIN. 105 
 
 Marius are occasionally discovered in England.* 
 It is well-known that the legions of Gaul pro- 
 claimed him emperor after the murder of Vic- 
 torinus at Cologne (a.d, 267). Historians say 
 that he enjoyed this honour but three days, 
 when he was assassinated; but Eckhelf is 
 of opinion that his reign extended to several 
 weeks, grounding it on the fact of the exist- 
 ence of many coins of Marius with different 
 reverses, none of Avhich, except the gold, are of 
 great rarity. With great respect for such an 
 authority, it may be supposed that it was the 
 custom of the usurpers of this period to prepare 
 money stamped with their e^gy, before their 
 assumption of the purple; and that on an ap- 
 pointed day the troops they commanded were 
 assembled in some public place, the usurper 
 announced his intentions, and showers of the 
 newly-prepared coins were thrown among them. J 
 
 * Specimens were found among a vast number of coins of 
 the lower empire, discovered in tlie Sand-hills at Deal a few 
 years since, and now in the possession of Mr. Rolfe of Sand- 
 wich ; and in the Numismatic Journal (vol. i. p. 132) is an 
 account of the discovery, near Swansea, of many coins of the 
 period, among which were a few of Marius. Several of them 
 were preserved by Mr. Francis for the Swansea Museum, 
 
 t Doct. Num. Vet. vol. vii. p. 454. 
 
 X See the remarks under Allectus.
 
 lOG 
 
 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 TETRICUS. 
 This usurper, of whom 
 and of his son there 
 are coins in the three 
 metals, those of brass 
 being discovered in 
 great numbers, both in 
 England and on the 
 continent, was elected 
 emperor by the legions 
 of Gaul (a. D. 267). 
 He held the reins of 
 government until the 
 succession of Aurelian, 
 when he voluntarily 
 resigned them to that 
 emperor, a. d. 272. 
 His reign doubtless 
 extended to Britain, 
 and some of his coins 
 may have been struck 
 in the island.* The 
 cuts here given are 
 accurate representations of stones, one of whicli 
 is still preserved at Bittern Manor House, near 
 Southampton . 
 
 * There is one circumstance against such a supposition, 
 namely, that the far greater number are found in France, where 
 *,peclv or two are not unfrequcntU' turned up.
 
 RELATING TO EllITAIN. 107 
 
 DIOCLETIANUS AND MAXIMIANUS. 
 
 From the reign of Caracalla down to those of 
 Diocletian and Maximian, no Roman coins bear 
 alhision to the province of Britain, l)ut it is not 
 improbable that money was minted in the island 
 with the effigies of these emperors. The practice 
 of placing letters in the exergue to denote the 
 place of mintage appenrs to have become general 
 at this period, and Banduri* gives from Fou- 
 cault a coin of Diocletian in second l^rass, bearing 
 the very common type and legend: — Genius 
 standing, holding a patera over an altar, and 
 GENio POPVLi ROMANi, luit with the letters lon. 
 in the exergue, which, though they may signify 
 Lugdunum ojficina 7i(mo, in all probability stand 
 for i,owImwm. The authenticity of this coin 
 might have been questioned ; but the existence of 
 another of Maximian, having the same type and 
 exergual letters, removes all doubt. f It is sin- 
 gular, that though Constantius Chlorus resided 
 
 * Num. Imp. Rom. tom. ii. p. 19. 
 
 t This coin is in the cabinet of Mr. Nightinj^ale, and is 
 undoubtedly genuine. Another, found in Suffolk, was exhi- 
 bited to the Numismatic Society. See Proceedings of the 
 Num. Soc. April 22, 1841.
 
 lUcS COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 for some time in England, and died at Eboracum 
 (York), no coins with his effigy have exergual 
 letters of the same description. 
 
 The remarkable gold coin represented in the 
 engraving (p. 109) was discovered in the Thames, 
 by the ballast dredgers in 1840, and was purchased 
 by Mr. C. R. Smith. Another, precisely similar, is 
 in the collection of Mr. Atherley, of Southampton. 
 The exergual letters ml would lead us to suppose 
 that this is a coin of the London mint, especially 
 when viewed in combination with the three g's, 
 denoting three emperors. The remarks on the third 
 brass of Carausius mth avggg. in the succeeding 
 section apply more especially to these gold coins. 
 At any rate, a comparison "with the famous gold 
 coin in the British Museum will shew a remarkable 
 similarity in the style of workmanship. There 
 can be no doubt but that ml on this rare example 
 signify Moneta Londinensis^ and it would be 
 scarcely necessary to insist, that on the money of 
 Diocletian and Maximian they have the same 
 signification. 
 
 The coin of Diocletian published by Banduri, 
 and the two specunens of Maximian in second 
 brass referred to above, are the only pieces of 
 these emperors which we may safely believe were 
 coined in Britain by their authority ; but the gold 
 coins above described, and the third brass of
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 
 
 109 
 
 Diocletian and Maximian reading pax avggg. ; 
 viRTVs AVGGG. &c., Avitli MLxxi., OP Other letters, 
 in the exergue, seem to have been struck by 
 order of Carausius, to give an appearance of rati- 
 fication and acknowledgment, on the part of the 
 emperors, of right to the title and power he had 
 assumed. These coins, in fabric and general ap- 
 pearance, much resemble those of Carausius, es- 
 pecially in the reverses, and are usually found 
 in company with them throughout England, 
 while they are not recorded or known ever to 
 have been discovered on the continent.
 
 110 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 CARAUSIUS. 
 
 [a.d. 287 TO A.D. 293.] 
 
 Doctor Stukeley, in his history of Carausius, 
 says that this usurper was a British prince and a 
 native of Saint David's. But he has no authority 
 for such a pedigree ; and the Menapia, in which 
 Carausius was in all probability born, was a city 
 of Batavia, not of Wales.* Although the Roman 
 historians differ in their accounts of his rank, 
 they yet seem agreed as to the obscurity of his 
 origin. One styles him a citizen of Menapia ;f 
 another says he was of the meanest extraction ; J 
 while a third describes him at once as a found- 
 ling ; § a sufficient proof that his birth was not 
 noble, as Doctor Stukeley would have us believe. 
 A digression on the utility of numismatic 
 studies would be out of place in a work like the 
 present; but I cannot pass over in silence one 
 
 * That is, if huts or cabins are allowed to form a city ; for 
 Dion Cassius (lib. xxxix.) says, they (the Menapians) hve 
 not in cities but in huts ; and Caesar says the same thing. 
 
 -j- Menapise civis. Aur. Victor. De Csesarib. 
 
 I Vilissime natus. Eutrop. lib. xi. c. 21. 
 
 § Eumenius, Paneg. in Constantino, c. 5.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. Ill 
 
 circumstance relative to the coins of Carausius. 
 His name is scarcely ever rightly spelt by his- 
 torians, while on his coins we find not only that 
 by which he is commonly known, but also those 
 of Marcus Aurelius, and Valerius. Genebrier 
 has a list of the names which have been given to 
 him by various writers; and it must be con- 
 fessed that they are a ludicrous variety. They 
 are as follow: — Caratius, Karentius, Carentius, 
 Caurasius, Coravissius, Carassius, Carassus, and 
 Crausius. Victor calls him Corausius ; and Zo- 
 narus gives him the name of Crassus, and says 
 he reigned but three years in Britain. 
 
 In the year 287, the emperor Maximianus had 
 just suppressed the revolt of the peasants in 
 Gaul, when he received information of the usTir- 
 pation of Carausius, who had sailed over to 
 Britain with the Roman fleet, and assumed, mth 
 the purple, the title of Augustus. Carausius 
 had long been celebrated as a skilful pilot and a 
 valiant soldier; and his merit had obtained for 
 him the command of the Roman fleet stationed 
 at Boulogne to check the daring ravages of the 
 German pirates. It is said that, notwithstanding 
 the admiral's skill in naval affairs, he was un- 
 fitted for this important trust, and that he suf- 
 fered the pirates to proceed upon their ex- 
 peditions, and pounced upon them as they
 
 112 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 returned laden with spoil;* a charge which is 
 almost corroborated by the fact that he was pos- 
 sessed of great wealth at the time of his usur- 
 pation, Avith which he bribed the forces under 
 his command. 
 
 Arrived in Britain, the Arch-pirate, as he is 
 styled by Eum.enius,f defied the vengeance of 
 the emperors, and succeeded in ingratiating him- 
 self with the inhabitants, and the Roman troops 
 stationed in the island. The wealth of Carausius 
 was, it is said, reported to the emperors, who, 
 judging, from that circumstance, that he was 
 unworthy of the trust they had reposed in him, 
 had taken measures for his apprehension and 
 punishment. The usurper received intelligence 
 of his danger, and immediately made a bold and 
 successful effort to save himself. A very re- 
 markable and unique coin, formerly in the pos- 
 session of the late Mr. Douce, seems to allude to 
 this escape: it bore on the reverse, a female 
 figure grasping in each hand a serpent, with the 
 legend vitavi {I have escaped!). I was anxious 
 to obtain a drawing of this coin from that gen- 
 tleman, who kindly communicated to me several 
 
 * Eutropius, lib. xi. c. 21. Orosius, lib. vii. c. 25. 
 
 I " Adeo ut jam communis poenec timore depcsito archipi- 
 ratam satellcs occideret," &c. — Paneg. in Constantio Ca'S. 
 cap. xii.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 1 lo 
 
 unpublished types of Carausius; and was mor- 
 tified to find that it had been either lost or 
 mislaid. It is, however, accurately described in 
 my Descriptive Catalogue, where I have ven- 
 tured to give the following explanation of its 
 very curious type : — * 
 
 " This most extraordinary type is believed to 
 be the only one of the kind in the Roman series, 
 and the coin itself is probably unique. The sin- 
 gularity of the device encourages an attempt at 
 an explanation of its meaning. The female 
 figure would appear to be the good genius of 
 Carausius, and she grasps in each hand the 
 enemies of her protege, the emperor Diocletian 
 and his colleague, represented as serpents. May 
 we not, therefore, suppose that this very curious 
 coin was struck by Carausius immediately upon 
 his arrival in Britain, before the recognition of 
 his title by the emperors? It seems to confirm 
 the account of the historians, who inform us 
 that the rebel admiral, previous to his carrying 
 ofi* the Roman fleet, had received intelligence of 
 some meditated punishment from the emperors, "j- 
 
 * Mr. Douce, a few weeks before his death, informed me that 
 he had made dihgent search for this coin, hut without success, 
 and that it had probably been stolen, with other things, when 
 he removed to his residence in Gower Street. 
 
 t If it were not for the very singular legend expectate 
 
 Q
 
 114 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 " Time and chance" favoured the usurpation 
 of Carausius: he arrived among the Britons, 
 when their discontent had rendered them ripe 
 for rebellion. Tacitus informs us, that in his 
 time they groaned under the yoke of the Eomans : 
 they complained that instead of having one 
 master, as formerly, they had then two ; one was 
 the governor, who exercised his cruelty upon 
 their persons, and revelled in their blood; the 
 other was the procurator, who seized upon and 
 confiscated their property.* They suffered from 
 the same evils under Diocletianus and Max- 
 imianus, and therefore Avelcomed the arrival of 
 Carausius. The fleet which the usurper had 
 
 vENi on coins of Carausius, the authenticity of that witli vitavi 
 might be doubted on the ground that its form is altogether 
 unusual. After all, the latter may have been one of those 
 blundered, re-struck, or ill struck, coins of Carausius, of which I 
 have seen many examples. I have before me a brass coin of 
 Carausius, of extremely rude workmanship, struck on one of 
 Victorinus, the ill formed letters appearing not unlike this 
 very word ! 
 
 * They were a prey, on all occasions, to the rapacity and 
 the licentiousness of the Roman troops : — " Singulos sibi olim 
 reges fuisse, nunc binos imponi : e quibus legatus in san- 
 guinem, procurator in bona sseviret : seque discordiam pr^e- 
 positorura, seque concordiam subjectis exitiosam : alterius, 
 manus, centuriones ; alterius, vim et contumelias miscere : 
 nihil jam cupiditati, nihil libidini exceptum." — Fita Agricol{je, 
 c. 15.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 115 
 
 carried off from Boulogne, had deprived the 
 emperors of the means of pursuit, and when, at 
 length, after great labour and expense, a new 
 armament was prepared, the imperial troops were 
 an easy conquest to the experienced sailors of 
 Carausius, on an element to which they were not 
 accustomed. The rebel admiral was secure in 
 his island retreat ; and the emperors, finding that 
 they could not punish their faithless servant, re- 
 luctantly accorded to him the title of Augustus. 
 I say ' reluctantly,' for it is impossible that the 
 assent of the emperors could be cordial, when it 
 was wrung from them by necessity. But there 
 is another circumstance which amounts almost to 
 a proof that the treaty was never formally rati- 
 fied. Coins of Carausius with tax avggg. — 
 
 LAETITIA AVGGG. MONETA AVGGG. PROVID. 
 
 AVGGG. and SALVS AVGGG. (the three g's denoting 
 three emperors), exist in considerable numbers, 
 but those of Diocletianus and Maximianus, with 
 the same indications, are of very unfrequent 
 occurrence; a circumstance which seems to have 
 escaped the notice of the discriminating and 
 sagacious Eckhel. Now, the usurper would 
 naturally publish the recognition of his title on 
 his numerous coins; but we are without proof 
 that the few coins of Diocletianus and Maximi- 
 anus with AVGGG. were issued by their connnand ;
 
 IIG COINvS OF THE KOM^^NS 
 
 on the contrary, there appear to be some grounds 
 for supposing that they were inintecl by order of 
 Carausius, for they bear in the exergue the same 
 letters as are found on the coins of that usurper, 
 namely, mlxxi ; and are, besides, so like in fabric 
 to those of Carausius, that we are warranted in 
 believing them to have been minted by his order.* 
 
 Carausius enjoyed his honours seven years, 
 and, during that period, performed many acts 
 which evinced his ability to rule, notmthstanding 
 his defection from his masters. He defended 
 the frontiers of his empire from the Caledonians, 
 courted the friendship and alliance of the Franks, 
 upon the confines of whose country he was born, 
 and, in reward for their services, instructed them 
 in military and naval affairs. His fleets swept 
 the seas, and, commanding the mouths of the 
 Rhine and the Seine, ravaged the coasts, and 
 rendered the name of the once obscure Menapian 
 ])ilot as celebrated as those of the emperors. 
 
 During this time, Carausius still kept possession 
 of Boulogne; but, in the year 292, the adoption 
 of the two Caesars, Constantius and Galerius, 
 added strength to the Roman arms. Maximianus 
 guarded the Rhine, and Constantius, taking com- 
 mand of the legions appointed for the British 
 
 * See the remarks on the coins of Maximianus, ante 107.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 117 
 
 war, iinmediately laid siege to Boulogne, Avliich, 
 after an obstinate resistance, surrendered to the 
 conqueror, who possessed himself of the naval 
 stores of Carausius. Constantius then turned 
 his arms against the Franks, and thus deprived 
 the usurper of the assistance of that warlike 
 people. Three years were consumed in the 
 preparation of a fleet for the recovery of Britain ; 
 but ere it was launched, news arrived of the 
 assassination of Carausius by his friend and 
 prime minister, Allectus. The event was con- 
 sidered as a presage of victory to the Roman 
 arms. 
 
 I have now to speak of the coins struck by 
 Carausius during his reign in Britain. The gold 
 coins of this usurper resemble those of Diocle- 
 tianus and his colleague, being of a fine and bold 
 but peculiar style of workmanship. The silver are 
 of inferior workmanship, and often of very base 
 quality. Many of them have illegible legends, 
 and probably were the work of ignorant moneyers, 
 if not of forgers. Numbers of the small brass 
 are also of very barbarous execution ; but all of 
 them bear a portrait which it is impossible to 
 confound Avith any other in the Roman series.* 
 
 * The silver medallion mentioned by Mionnet is merely a 
 third brass coin washed or plated with silver.
 
 118 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 As the types of the coins of Carausius are nu- 
 merous, they are placed in alphabetical order, 
 for more convenient reference. On those which 
 offer peculiarities I have ventured to remark, 
 but there are several which it may be suspected 
 were adopted because they were the favourite 
 types of the reigning emperors. Many of them 
 are of very rude execution. Some are given on 
 the authority of Stukeley alone ; and though they 
 may be authentic, they must, until verified, be 
 received with caution, since it was the practice 
 of that wild enthusiast to read a legend as he 
 wished it to be, and to explain a type, however 
 defaced and undccypherable, according to his 
 own fancy.* 
 
 Although many of the types and legends of the 
 money of this usurper are obviously copies of 
 those of the emperors, and some of their pre- 
 decessors, especially of Gallienus, it is yet posi- 
 tively certain that several reverses apply to 
 Carausius only: among these may be noticed 
 
 * Witness his description of Jupiter delivering a globe to 
 the emperor, a beautiful and eloquent type, not uncommon on 
 Roman coins, which he tells us is Venus presenting the apple 
 to her friend! This, with his absurd reveries about Orittna, 
 have rendered his name ridiculous to the really sensible and 
 enquiring antiquary.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 119 
 
 those of EXPECTATE VENI ancl CARAVSIVS ET 
 
 FRATRES svi ; wliile it is clear that such legends 
 as PRiNCiPi ivvENTVTz'.s and oriens avg. can have 
 no reference to the acts or to the situation of 
 Carausius. In the latter case they must have 
 been executed by ignorant, and probably illite- 
 rate, moneyers, without knowledge of their 
 application or significance. This remark applies 
 especially to some of the coins with the names of 
 the legions noticed hereafter. 
 
 GOLD AND SILVER. 
 
 L ADVENTVS AVG. {Advcntus August/.) The emperor on 
 horseback, his right hand elevated, his left holding 
 the hasta : before, a captive seated on the ground. 
 In the exergue, a thunderbolt. (Cabinet of J. Bru- 
 mell, Esq) ar. 
 
 2. Same legend. A similar type. In the exergue, — The ob- 
 verse has the laureated bust of Carausius, holding a 
 sceptre surmounted by an eagle. (In the Hunter col- 
 lection.) AR. 
 
 .3. Same legend. A similar tvpe on the reverse, with 
 ML. in the exergue. ar. 
 
 This is a common type on Roman coins. It 
 celebrates the arrival of an emperor; and the 
 coin here described was perhaps struck upon 
 occasion of the usurper's landing in Britain, 
 unless the seated captive be considered as im-
 
 120 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 plying a return from some victory on the 
 northern frontiers. Be this as it may, the 
 dress and attitude of Carausius denote that his 
 advent is a friendly one. His right hand is 
 raised and open, as if held out in amity and 
 peace: " Dextra vetat fugnas^'' says Statins.* 
 
 4. ADVENTVS AVGG. (or AVG.) The emperor casting a 
 javelin, and riding over two figures seated on the 
 ground. In the exergue, m. (Stukeley.) au. 
 
 5 AVGG. Jupiter and Hercules standing, both 
 
 naked ; the former holding the hasta and thunderbolt, 
 the other his club and the lion's skin. In the exergue, 
 + + +. (In the British Museum). ar. 
 
 This type appears to have been imitated from 
 some of the numerous coins of Diocletian, and 
 his colleague Maximian, who, as is well kno"\vn, 
 assumed the names of Jupiter and Hercules. 
 No. 4 does not vary from the coins of the em- 
 perors with the same type. 
 
 * It is very probable that this extension of the right hand 
 denotes that the emperor is addressing the populace or the 
 troops. Extending or stretching out the hand is used by Dio 
 Chrvsostom in the sense of addressing : — thus, " whether you 
 stretch out your hand in the senate or among the people." 
 Ovid makes Ajax use this gesture : — 
 
 " Intendensque manus, Agimus, proh Jupiter ! inquit. 
 Ante rates caussam." Metam. xiii. 5. 
 
 So also Saint Paul (Acts xxvi. 1), stretching out his hand 
 ((.Krsh'ac ti))' xtliiu), commences his defence before Agrippa.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 121 
 
 6. CONCORDIA AVG. Two liaiicls joinccl. (Haym.) ar. 
 
 7. CONCORDIA MiLiTVM. Two woiiien standing. (Mionnet.) 
 
 Au. and AR. 
 
 8. Same legend. Two hands joined. In the exergue, 
 
 RSR. (or c.)* AR. 
 
 9. CONCORD. MiLiT. A woiiian holding two standards. In 
 
 the exergue, rsr. (or rs.) ar. 
 
 Although these types and legends are common 
 on corns of the Roman emperors, they are quite 
 appropriate on the money of Carausius. 
 
 10. coNSERVATORi AVGGG. {ConservatoH Augustovum.) Her- 
 
 cules standing, with club and lion's skin (or bow). In 
 the exergue, ml. - au. 
 
 This coin, preserved in the Hunter collection, 
 is of extreme rarity. Mionnet describes one 
 with the addition of a quiver in the field. Her- 
 cules was, as is well known, the favourite deity 
 of the emperor Maximianus, who assumed the 
 surname of Hercules. 
 
 11. coNSERVAT. AVG. Jupitcr standing, holding the luista 
 
 and thunderbolt : at his feet an eagle. In the exergue, 
 ML. (Moneta Londinensis.) au. 
 
 This coin is in very fine preservation ; and was 
 
 * The c. in the exergue, in all probability, stands for Clau- 
 sentum (Southampton). The meaning of rsr. is not so 
 obvious, but it is very likely that the letters rs. stand for 
 Rutupice (Richborough) Signata. Coins of Carausius are fre- 
 quentlv found in the neighbourhood of Richborough. 
 
 1?
 
 122 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 purcluiSL'd for the British Museum for £120. 
 The workmanship is totally different to that of 
 the silver and brass coins of Carausius ; the relief 
 is very bold, and the style of the portrait seems 
 to have been closely copied from those of Dio- 
 cletianus and Maximianus. 
 
 12. CONS. AVG. A woman standing, holding an anchor and 
 
 the hasta. In the exergae, rsr. ar. 
 
 13. EXPECTATE VENi. {Come, O expected one .') The em- 
 
 peror joining hands with a woman, who holds a 
 trident. In the exergue, rsr. au. and ar. 
 
 A silver coin of this type is in the collection 
 of the late Mr. Thomas. Both type and legend 
 are singular and interesting, and seem to 
 imply that Carausius had sounded the Britons 
 before he ran off with the fleet from Boulogne. 
 Genebrier, describing, probably, from an ill- 
 preserved coin, takes the female figure for Fe- 
 licity, and supposes the trident to be the long 
 caduceus with which she is generally represented ; 
 but that it is a trident which she holds is quite 
 evident, and that the figure is the genius of 
 Britain will be acknowledged even by the un- 
 imaginative. Eckhel* observes on the remark- 
 able legend of these coins, that it is the form 
 used by ^neas to the spirit of Hector : — 
 
 * Doct. Num.Vet. vol. viii. p. 45.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 123 
 
 -" Quibus Hector ab oris 
 
 Expectate venis ? * 
 
 Some are without letters in the exergue. 
 
 14. EXPECTATAE VENvs (^stc). in this Specimen, the object 
 
 held by the female figure is a hasta with a triangular 
 termination. ar. 
 
 There are several barbarous imitations of No. 
 13, of which this is an example. 
 
 15. FELiciTAS (or felicita). a galley, with rowers. In the 
 
 exergue, rsr. (or psa.) ar. 
 
 16. FELICITAS. Fom* children, representing the four seasons. 
 
 ar. 
 
 17. FELICITA AVG. A galley, with four rowers. In the ex- 
 
 ergue, rsr. ar. 
 
 18. FiDEM MiLiTVM NN. A woman standing, holding a pair 
 
 of scales and a cornucopia. ar. 
 
 19. FIDES MiLiT. A woman holding two standards. In the 
 
 exergue, rsr. (Late in the collection of the Rev. F. 
 Blick.) ar. 
 
 20. FORTVNA AVG. Fortune, with her attributes, standing. 
 
 In the exergue, rsr, ar. 
 
 21. ixPECTATE vENi. (sfc.) The emperor holding a spear, 
 
 and delivering a standard to a woman. (British 
 Museum.) ar. 
 
 22. LAETiTiA AVG. A galley, with rowers. In the exergue, 
 
 RSR. AR. 
 
 23. LEG. nil. FL. A lion walking, holding ears of corn in 
 
 his mouth. In the exergue, mrs. (Mionnet.) au. 
 
 24. LEG. nil. F . . . . A centaur walking to the left, bearing 
 
 * yEn. lib.ii. ver.282.
 
 124 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 a long club (or pedum"), which he holds with both 
 hands, and rests on his shoulders. In the exergue, c. 
 
 AR. 
 
 This coin is in the collection of j\Ir. Brumell. 
 The fourth legion, it would appear from the 
 type, took, for their cognizance, that monster 
 of heathen fable which the Greek epigrammatist 
 describes as — 
 
 " A horse without head — a man without feet !" 
 
 But I must here correct my error in the first 
 edition of this work ; namely, in supposing that 
 the fourth legion accompanied Carausius into 
 Britain. There is nothing to prove this; and 
 although it materially lessens the interest of 
 these coins, I am compelled to assert that they 
 are copied from the very abundant third brass of 
 Gallienus. A reference to Banduri's elaborate 
 list* will justify these remarks. Only four 
 legions were in Britain at this time, namely the 
 2nd, 6th, 9th, and 20th, three of which only 
 appear on coins of this usurper. f 
 
 25. LEG. V. . . . AVG. A bull standing. (Stukely.) ar. 
 
 26. LEG VII A similar type. (Ibid.) ar. 
 
 27. LKG. VIII, . . . IN. A ram, standing. In the exergue, 
 
 ML. (Ibid.) ar. 
 
 * Tom i. pp. 164 to 170 inclusive. 
 
 t The reader is referred to a verv interesting work by Mr. 
 Wellbeloved, entitled "Eboracum; or York under the Romans," 
 for many particulars relating to the legions in Britain.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 125 
 
 28. LEG. VIII. iNV. A similar type, with or without ml. in 
 
 the exergue. (Ibid.) ar. 
 
 29. LIB. SFPC. (sic). The emperor, on horseback. In the 
 
 exergue, rsr. (British Museum.) ar. 
 
 30. MONETA AVG. Moneta standing. (Ibid.) ar. 
 
 31. ORiENS AVG. The sun standing; his right hand raised, 
 
 his left holding a globe. In the exergue, rsr. ar. 
 
 This type applies to no act of Carausius, and 
 must be regarded as a copy from a reverse of a 
 coin of some Roman emperor who obtained fame 
 in the eastern countries of the empire. 
 
 32. ORTVNA (for fortvna) AVG. A female bust to the right 
 
 within a garland, holding a garland and a branch, ar. 
 
 33. PAX AVG. Peace standing, with olive-branch and cornu- 
 
 copia. ML. in the exergue. On some, l. in the 
 field. ar. 
 
 34. PRiNcipi ivvENT. The emperor standing, holding a 
 
 spear. ar. 
 
 This type applies to some Caesar or heir ap- 
 parent of the empire, and can have no reference 
 to Carausius. 
 
 35. RENOVAT ROMA. A similar type to No. 31. In the 
 
 exergue, rsr. ar. 
 
 36. RENOVA . . . ROMANO. Romulus and Remus suckled by 
 
 the wolf. In the exergue, rsr. (In the Hunter col- 
 lection.) AR. 
 
 37. ROMO. RENOv. A similar type. rsr. ar. 
 
 38. ROMO. RENOV. (or RENOVA.) A similar type. In the 
 
 exergue, rsr. ar. 
 
 39. ROMANO RENOVA. A similar type. The obverse has 
 
 the helmeted bust of Carausius : legend, virtvs 
 cARAvsi. Au. and ar.
 
 12G COINS OF THE ROJIANS 
 
 The legend of this coin is a novelty in the 
 Roman series. Eckhel says of it, " Legenda 
 epigraphe Romanorum Renovatio, niinirum cum 
 partem imperii R. sibi ab invitis Carausius ex- 
 torqueret, honesto, ut lit, vocabulo rapinam 
 excusans."* 
 
 40. ROMAE AETERNAE. Victorv Standing, presenting a gar- 
 
 land to Rome, seated. In the exergue, cxxi;. ar. 
 
 41. ROMAE AETERNAE. Rome Seated, within a temple. In 
 
 the exergue, rsr. ar. 
 
 42. salvs avg. Salus, feeding a serpent, rising from an 
 
 altar. ar. 
 
 43. Same legend. Salus, feeding a serpent entwined around 
 
 an altar, and holding the hasta in her right hand. ar. 
 
 44. vbersta av. (sic). A woman milking a cow. The ob- 
 
 verse of this coin presents the bust of Carausius to the 
 left, the head laureated, and the right hand holding a 
 sceptre surmounted by an eagle. In the exergue, sr. 
 
 AR. 
 
 This coin was found in the Thames a few 
 years since. f 
 
 45. VBERTAS AVG. Neptunc standing on the prow of a 
 
 vessel, joining hands with the emperor, who holds a 
 spear. In the exergue, rsr. (Stukeley.) ar. 
 
 46. VBERTAS (or vberta) avg. a figure, milking a cow. 
 
 In the exergue of some, rsr. ar. 
 
 47. vlto pax avg. (sic). The emperor, in a military habit, 
 
 joining hands with a woman, who holds a patera ; be- 
 tween them an altar. ar. 
 
 * Doct. Num. Vet. torn. viii. p. 48. 
 
 t Gentleman's Magazine, 1837, vol.vii. p. 267.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 127 
 
 48. VICTORIA .... A. Victory marching, with a garland. 
 
 AR. 
 
 49. viRTVs iM. . . AVG. (slc). A mihtary figure standing, 
 
 holding a globe and a javelin. In the exergue, l. ar. 
 
 50. voTo pvBLico. A garland, within which is inscribed, 
 
 MVLTis XX. IMP. In the exergue of some, rsr- ar. 
 
 51. Same legend. An altar, inscribed mvltis xx. imp. 
 
 (British Museum.) ar. 
 
 52. voTVM pvBLic. A similar type. In the exergue, rsr. 
 
 (In the Hunter collection.) ar. 
 
 53. VOTVM pvBLicvM. A similar type, without the letters in 
 
 the exergue. ar. 
 
 THIRD BRASS. 
 
 1 . ABVNDANTi AVG. A woman emptying a cornucopia. 
 
 2. ADivTRix AVG. Half-length bust of Victory, holding a 
 
 garland and a palm-branch. 
 
 3. Same legend. Victory standing, with garland and palm- 
 
 branch. 
 
 Coins of Victorinus occur in third brass with 
 the same legend. 
 
 4. ADVENTvs AVG. Felicity standing, with a long caduceus 
 
 and a cornucopia. 
 
 A novel type mth this legend. 
 
 5. ADVEXTvs CARAvsi. The emperor on horseback; his 
 
 right hand raised, holding a globe. In the exergue 
 of some, Rsp. (or ml.) 
 
 6. AEQviTAS AVG. Equity, with her attributes. (In the 
 
 Hunter collection.)
 
 128 COINS or THE ROMANS 
 
 7 AVG. The emperor and a woman joining hands. 
 
 8. APOLLiNi CO. AVG. A griffiu. Ill the exergue, msc. 
 
 (or MS.) 
 
 9. APOLLINI CONS. A griffin. In the exergue, mc. 
 
 10. APOLLINI CONS. AVG. A griffin. 
 
 These legends and types mil be found on the 
 abundant third brass of Gallienus. 
 
 11. coHH. . . Four standards. In the exergue, ml. 
 
 12. coHR. PRAET. Four Standards. (In the Hunter col- 
 
 lection.) 
 
 13. COMES AVG. Victory marching, with garland and palm- 
 
 branch. In the exergue, c. (or l. or ml.) 
 
 The same type and legend occur on coins of 
 Victorinus. 
 
 14. Same legend. A similar type, with ml. in the exergue. 
 
 The obverse has the helmeted head of Carausius, with 
 javehn and buckler : legend, caravsivs avg. 
 
 The coins of Carausius mth these armed busts 
 appear to be modelled on those of the emperor 
 Probus, on whose money the imperial effigies are 
 often thus represented. 
 
 15. Same legend. Minerva standing, holding tlie hasta and 
 
 an olive-branch. 
 
 16. Same legend. Neptune standing: his right foot on a 
 
 galley in the sea, his left on a dolphin : a dolphin in 
 his right hand, and a trident reversed in his left. On 
 some, s. P. in the field. 
 
 17. comes AVGGG. Mincrva standing. In the field, s. p. 
 
 In the exergue, mlxxi. (Tanini.)
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 129 
 
 18. Same legend. Victory marching, with garhind and 
 
 palm-branch. In the field, s. p. In the exergue of 
 some, c. 
 
 19. CONCORD. A.VGG. A vvoman holding two standards. 
 
 20. CONCORDIA AVGG. A woman standing, holding the 
 
 hasta and a cornucopia. 
 
 21. CONCORDIA MIL. Two right hands joined. In the ex- 
 
 ergue, RS. 
 
 22. CONCORD. MiLiT. A similar type. In the exergue, rsr. 
 
 23. CONCORD. MiLiTVM. A similar type. In the exergue, c. 
 
 24. CONCORDIA MiLiTi. (or MILIT.) The emperor, in the 
 
 toga, joining hands with a woman. In the exergue, c. 
 
 25. CONCORD. MILITVM. A similar type. In the exergue, c. 
 
 26. CONCORDIA MILITVM N. N. A similar type ; with o. in 
 
 the field, and xxx. in the exergue. 
 
 27. CONCORDIA MILITVM P. c. A similar type. In the ex- 
 
 ergue, X. 
 
 28. CONSERVAT. AVG. Neptune seated ; in his right hand, an 
 
 anchor ; in his left, a trident reversed. 
 
 29. Same legend. A naked figure standing, in his right 
 
 hand, an unknown object ; in his left, the hasta pura. 
 In the field, s. c. 
 
 30. CONSERVATOR. A woman seated, her elbow resting on a 
 
 cippus. 
 
 31. CONSTANT. AVG. A naked male figure standing; in his 
 
 right hand, the hasta. In the field, s. c. In the ex- 
 ergue, sc. 
 
 32. CONSTANT, (or coNSTAVNT.) (sic) AVG. Hercules stand- 
 
 ing. In the field, s. In the exergue, c. (Mionnet.) 
 
 33. COS. iiii. A woman standing, holding a globe. (Stukeley.) 
 
 34. DIANA. Diana seated. 
 
 35. DiANAE CONS, (or DiNAE ) (sic) AVG. A Stag. In the 
 
 exergue, xx. 
 
 36. EXPECTA Victory placing a garland upon the 
 
 emperor's head. 
 
 S
 
 l;^() COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 37. EXi'ECTATR VENi. Two figuiTS Standing, joining hands. 
 
 In the exergue, rsa. 
 
 38. FELiciTAS AVG. A woman standing, holding an ensign 
 
 and a cornucopia. 
 
 39. Same legend. A galley on the sea, with rowers. In 
 
 the exergue of some, cxxi. 
 
 40. FELiciT. pvpLi. (sic). Fehcity holding a caduceus, leaning 
 
 on a column. In the exergue, c. 
 
 41. FELICITAS. Four children, representing the four Seasons. 
 
 42. FIDES MiLiTVM. A woman holding two standards. 
 
 43. FIDES MiLiT. A similar type. In the exergue, c. 
 
 44. FiDEM MILITVM. A similar type. (Cabinet of the late 
 
 F. Douce, Esq.) 
 
 The last three types occur perpetually in the 
 Roman series, but they are very appropriate on 
 the coins of one who owed so much to his mili- 
 tary partizans. 
 
 45. FORTVNA AVG. Fortune standing ; in her right hand, the 
 
 hasta ; in her left, a cornucopia. 
 
 46. Same legend. Fortune standing, with rudder and cor- 
 
 nucopia. In the exergue of some, c. 
 
 47. Same legend. Fortune seated, holding a rudder and a 
 
 cornucopia. 
 
 48. Same legend. Fortune seated upon a wheel, holding the 
 
 hasta. (Cabinet of the late F. Douce, Esq.) 
 
 49. FORT. REDVx. (or RAEDvx.) (sic). FortuDC seated on a 
 
 wheel, with rudder and cornucopia. 
 
 50. Same legend. Fortune seated, with rudder and cornu- 
 
 copia. 
 
 51. GENio AVG. A woman standing, holding a globe and a 
 
 cornucopia. 
 
 52. GENivs EXERCiT. Geuius standing to the left ; in his 
 
 right hand a patera, on his left arm a cornucopia : in 
 the field, sr. ; in the exergue, c.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 131 
 
 This unique brass coin was in the possession 
 of the late Mr. R. F. Ne^vman, City Solicitor, a 
 relative of whom shewed it to Mr. C. R. Smith, 
 who made the drawing of which an engraving 
 is given in this work. It shews that the usurper 
 was anxious to testify his gratitude to the army 
 which had enabled. him to attain the sovereignty 
 of Britain. 
 
 53. GERMANicvs MAxv. A trophv, and two captives. In 
 
 the exergue, l. (Mionnet.) 
 
 This legend and type occur both on the coins 
 of Gallienus and of Postumus. 
 
 54. HERCVLi iNviCT. Herculcs standing, with his club. 
 
 55. HERCVLI PAciFERO. Hcrcules Standing, holding an ohve- 
 
 branch and club.* 
 
 56. HiLARiTAS AVG. A womau standing, holding a branch 
 
 and a cornucopia. In the exergue, ml. (In the 
 Hunter collection.) 
 
 57. Same legend. A woman standing, holding a garland 
 
 and a cornucopia. 
 
 58. HILARITAS AVGGG. A woman standing, holding a branch 
 
 and a cornucopia. 
 
 59. lAPR. . . . VICTOR (sic). A woman standing, holding an 
 
 olive-bi*anch and the hasta. 
 GO. INVICTVS. The sun marching. (Mionnet.) 
 
 6 1 . INVICTVS AVG. A similar type. 
 
 62. I. o. X. The emperor, in a military habit, on horseback ; 
 
 his right hand holding a spear, his left hand raised 
 aloft. 
 
 The three letters on this coin have been sup- 
 
 * Numismatic Journal, vol. i. p. 264.
 
 132 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 posed to indicate the acclamations of the multi- 
 tude, and to signify lo Decies. Eckhel, after 
 remarking on it, adds, " Quisque pro se aenigma 
 explicit ! " 
 
 63. lovi AVG. Jupiter standing, holding the hasta and 
 
 thunderbolt. In the field, s. p. In the exergue, ml. 
 
 64. lovi coNSER. . • A similar type. In the field, s. p. 
 
 65. lovi CONSER. AVG. A similar type. 
 
 G6. lovi CONS. Jupiter and Carausius standing; the first 
 delivering a globe to the emperor. (See Stukeley, who 
 supposes the figure of Jupiter to be Venus wilJi the 
 aj}ple !) 
 
 67. lovi STATORi. Jupiter standing, with hasta and thunder- 
 
 bolt. 
 
 68. LAETiT. AVG. A womau standing ; in her right hand, a 
 
 garland ; in her left, ears of corn. In the field, s. p. 
 In the exergue, c, 
 
 69. LAETiTiA AVG. A similar type. In the field, s. c. 
 
 (Some are without the s. c.) 
 
 70. Same legend. A woman standing, holding a garland 
 
 and the hasta. In the field, f. o. In the exergue, mc. 
 
 71. Same legend. A similar type. In the exergue, mc. 
 
 72. Same legend. A similar type, without letters in the 
 
 field, or in the exergue. 
 
 73. Same legend. A galley, with rowers. In the exergue, 
 
 MC. 
 
 74. LAETITIA AVGGG. A woman standing, holding a garland 
 
 and ears of corn. In the field, s. p. In the exergue, c, 
 
 75. Same legend. A woman standing, holding an anchor ; 
 
 her hand resting on an anchor. 
 
 76. LAETITIA FVND. A woman standing, holding the hasta 
 
 and a garland. In the exergue, xxi. 
 
 77. LEG. iixx. puiMiG. Capricorn to the right. In the ex- 
 
 ergue, ML.
 
 RELxVTING TO BllITAIN. 133 
 
 This unique coin, found at Strood in Kent, 
 was communicated to the Numismatic Society* 
 by Mr. C. Roach Smith, who, in assigning it 
 to the twenty-second rather than the eighteenth 
 legion, (there is authority for the numerals re- 
 presenting either,) remarks: — "The twenty- 
 second legion, surnamed Primagenia, and bear- 
 ing, in common with at least six other legions, 
 the badge of the Capricorn, appears to have 
 been composed of allied troops, and was quar- 
 tered in Gaul and Belgium. Six towns or places 
 are named as stations in which were divisions of 
 this legion. In several inscriptions given by 
 Gruter and Ur sinus, the title of Primagenia is 
 affixed to this legion ; but upon coins I can only 
 find it expressed in one instance, and that is on 
 a denarius of Severus. In the list of legionary 
 coins struck by Gallienus, it does not occur, 
 though such as have leg. xxii. merely, are not 
 uncommon." 
 
 78. LEG. II. AVG. Capricorn, In the exergue, ml. 
 
 79. LEG. II. PARTH. A centaur, holding a globe and a rudder. 
 
 In the exergue, m. or ml. 
 
 80. Same legend. A centaur walking to the right, holding 
 
 with both hands a long club or pedum, which he rests 
 on his shoulders. (Cabinet of J. Brumell, Esq.) 
 
 81. Same legend. A centaur standing. In the exergue, mi. 
 
 * Num. Chron. vol. ii. p. 114.
 
 134 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 82. Same legend. A centaur walking to the right, holding 
 
 a club and a garland. 
 
 83. LEG. II. PAR. A centaur walking, holding a globe and a 
 
 club. In the exergue, ml. 
 
 84. LEG. nil. FLAviA P. F. Two lions meeting; above, a 
 
 human head, with the ancient diadem. (Stukeley.) 
 
 85. LEG. nil. FL. A lion walking. In the exergue of some, 
 
 MC. 
 
 86. LEG. VII. CL. A bull. In the exergue of some, ml. 
 
 87. LEG. VII. CLA. A bull : above, d. x. In the exergue of 
 
 some, M. 
 
 88. LEG. VIII. A ram. In the exei'gue, ml. 
 
 89. LEG. VIII. AVG. A bull. In the exergue of some, ml. 
 
 90. LEG. . . IN. . A ram. In the exergue, ml. 
 
 91. LEG. XXI. VLPiA. Neptune standing, holding the hasta 
 
 and a dolphin. (Stukeley.) 
 
 92. LEG. XXV. V. A boar standing. 
 
 93. LEG. ... VLPIA. A male figure standing; in his right 
 
 hand, an unknown object ; in his left, the hasta. (In 
 the Hunter collection.)* 
 
 94. L VLPIA. VI. (sic). Neptune standing ; in his right 
 
 hand, a dolphin ; in his left, a trident. (British Mu- 
 seum.) 
 
 95 LiTiT. Av. (sic). A woman, holding the hasta, 
 
 standing before an altar. (Ibid.) 
 
 96. mar. pac. ... A woman, holding a caduceus and a cor- 
 
 nucopia. (Stukeley.) 
 
 97. MARTI PACiF. Mars marching, with a laurel-branch and 
 
 a javelin. 
 
 98. MARTI PACiFER. Mars marching, with shield and olive- 
 
 branch. 
 
 99. MARTI PACiFERO. Mars marching, with a laurel-branch 
 
 and ears of corn. In the field, s. c. In the exergue, c. 
 
 * See the remarks on the silver coins of Carausius with 
 these legends.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 135 
 
 100. MARS VICTOR. Mars marching, witli a trophy. In the 
 
 field of some, s. c. 
 
 101. MARS VICTOR. Mars standing, holding the hasta pura, 
 
 and a buckler. (In the Hunter collection.) 
 
 102. MARS VLTOR. Mars marching, holding a javelin and a 
 
 buckler. 
 
 103. MARS Mars standing ; his right hand holding a 
 
 spear ; his left holding a horse by the bridle. (Cabinet 
 of the late F. Douce, Esq.) 
 
 104 MiLiTVM. Two women standing, joining hands. 
 
 (British Museum.) 
 
 105. MONETA AVG. Moneta standing, with her attributes. 
 
 In the exergue, mc. or msp 
 
 106. monet(a) avggg. Moneta standing, with her attributes. 
 
 In the field, s. p. In the exergue, c. 
 
 This rare coin is in the British Museum : it is 
 remarkable on account of the title of Invictus on 
 the obverse. The title of Moneta was given to 
 Juno, from monere^ to admonish; the sacred 
 geese, kept in the temple of that goddess, having 
 alarmed the Romans when the Gauls attempted 
 to surprise the capitol by night. A temple was 
 subsequently erected, in which the silver of the 
 commonwealth was deposited ; and this place was 
 eventually used as the public mint. 
 
 Captain Smyth, in his excellent work on Roman 
 coins, quaintly remarks, that " gold has been 
 worshipped through all ages without hypocrisy." 
 The respect which Carausius seems here to record 
 for Moneta^ must have been equally sincere ; since 
 it, doubtless, was to his wealth that he owed the
 
 136 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 success of his rebellion. The three g's on this 
 coin, of course, denote the triple sovereignty. 
 The c. in the exergue denotes, in all probability, 
 Clausentum (Bittern, near Southampton), in 
 Avhich neighbourhood, coins of Carausius with 
 this mint-mark are frequently discovered. 
 
 107. Same legend. Moneta standing. In the field, s. c. 
 
 108. Same legend. Moneta standing. In the exergue, rsr. 
 
 109. Same legend. Moneta standing. In the field, s. c. 
 
 In the exergue, c. 
 
 110. MONETA AVGG. Moncta Standing. 
 
 111. Same legend. Moneta standing. In the field, s. p. 
 
 In the exergue, c. 
 
 112. MONETA AVGGG. Moneta standing. In the field, b. p. 
 
 In the exergue, c. (British Museum.) 
 
 113. ORIENS AVG. The sun standing, his right hand raised, 
 
 his left holding a globe. In the field, s. p. 
 
 114. Same legend. A similar type, without letters in the 
 
 field or exergue. 
 
 115. Same legend. The sun marching, his right hand raised, 
 
 his left holding a globe. In the field, a star. 
 
 116. Same legend. The sun marching, his right hand ele- 
 
 vated, his left holding a whip. 
 
 117. Same legend. A similar type. In the field, s. f. In 
 
 the exergue, mlx. 
 
 118. ORiENs AVG. A similar type. In the field, s. p. In 
 
 the exergue, c. 
 
 119. Same legend. A similar type, without letters in the 
 
 field. In the exergue, c. 
 \'20. Same legend. Tlie sun standing ; his right hand raised ; 
 
 his left holding a globe ; at his feet, a captive. 
 121. Same legend. The sun standing between two captives : 
 
 a globe in his left hand. (Stukeley.)
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 137 
 
 122. OKIES . . (sic). The sun standing, with right hand ex- 
 
 tended, and holding in the left a glohe. In the exer- 
 gue, KSR. 
 
 This coin was found at Strood in Kent.* See 
 the remarks on a similar type in silver. 
 
 123. PACATOR ORBis. Radiated head of the sun. (In the 
 
 Hunter collection.) 
 
 124. PACATO .... The same type. 
 
 125. PAX AETERN. AVG. Peacc Standing, holding an olive- 
 
 branch and the hasta. 
 
 126. PAX AVG. Peace standing, holding an olive-branch and 
 
 the hasta. In the exergue, ml. On others, s. p. in 
 the field, and c. in the exergue. 
 
 127. Same legend. A similar tvpe, with fo. ml. or l ml. 
 
 or EC. ML. or L. VII. or sp. c. or various other letters. 
 
 128. Same legend. A similar type, with b.e. in the field, and 
 
 MLXxi. in the exergue. The obverse has the radiated 
 head of Carausius, with coat of mail, javelin, and 
 buckler. 
 
 129. Same legend. A similar type, with ml. in the exergue. 
 
 The obverse has the helmeted bust of Carausius, with 
 coat of mail, holding a javelin, resting on his shoulder, 
 and a buckler : legend, caravsiv.s avg. 
 
 130. Same legend. A similar type, without letters in the 
 
 field. In the exergue, cxxi. The obverse has the 
 radiated heads of Carausius and the sun, side by side : 
 legend, imp. caravsivs p. f. avg. (In the Hunter 
 collection.) 
 
 131. pax avg. a similar type, with ... in the field, and 
 
 CXXI. in the exergue. The obverse has the helmeted 
 bust of Carausius, with radiated crown, javelin, and a 
 buckler: legend, virtvs caravsi. 
 
 * Num. Chron. vol. ii. p. 121, 
 T
 
 138 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 132. Same legend. Peace standing, holding a branch and a 
 
 cornucopia. In the exergue, ml. or xxxx. 
 
 133. PAX AVGG. Peace standing, holding a flower, or a 
 
 branch, and the hasta erect. 
 
 134. PAX AVGGG. A similar type. In tlie field, s. p. In the 
 
 exergue, c. On some, s. p. in the field, and mlxxi. 
 or c. in the exergue. The obverses of some have the 
 bust with paludamentum ; on others, a coat of mail. 
 
 It is generally believed, that the coins of 
 Caraiisius, with this legend, were struck in com- 
 memoration of the treaty between the usurper 
 and the emperors Diocletianus and Maximianus.* 
 
 135. PAX AVGVSTA. Pcacc walking, holding a flower and the 
 
 hasta. In the exergue, cxxi. The obverse has the 
 heads of Carausius and the sun, side by side; legend, 
 IMP. CARAvsivs P. F. AVG. (In the Hunter collection.) 
 
 136. Same legend. Bust of Peace. (Cabinet of the late 
 
 F. Douce, Esq.)t 
 
 137. PAX GALLi ivG. {sic). Pcacc standing, holding the hasta. 
 
 138. piAETAS AVG. {sic). A woman standing; a child at her 
 
 feet. In the field, s. p. In the exergue, ml. 
 
 139. Same legend. A woman standing, holding a branch (or 
 
 garland) and a cornucopia. 
 
 140. PiETAS AVGGG. Mcrcury, with attributes, standing. In 
 
 the field, l. p. In the exergue, mc. 
 
 Unique : in the cabinet of Mr. C. R. Smith. 
 It was found in the bed of the Thames. 
 
 141. PIETAS AVG. A veiled woman standing before an altar. 
 
 (In the Hunter collection). 
 
 * See the remarks at page 115. 
 
 t This collection was bequeathed by Mr. Douce to the Bod- 
 leian Liltrary.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 139 
 
 142. Sunie legend. A woman standing before an altar, 
 
 holding a cornucopia. 
 
 143. Same legend. A woman standing before an altar, 
 
 holding the hasta. 
 
 144. pip;tvs (sic) avg. A woman sacrificing on an altar. 
 
 In the field, s. p. In the exergue, 
 
 145. PRiNCiPi ivvENTVT. A military figure standing, bare- 
 
 headed, holding a standard and a spear. 
 14C. PRoviD. AVG. A woman standing, holding a globe and 
 the hasta transversely. In the field, s. p. In the 
 exergue, c. 
 
 147. Same legend. A woman standing, holding a globe and 
 
 the hasta. In the field, s. c. 
 
 148. Same legend. A woman standing, holding the hasta 
 
 and a cornucopia. In the field, s. c. In the ex- 
 ergue, c. 
 
 149. Same legend. A woman standing, touching a globe on 
 
 the ground ; on her left arm, a cornucopia. In the 
 field, s. p. 
 
 150. PKOviD. AVGGG. A woman standing, holding a globe 
 
 and a cornucopia. In the field, s. p. In the exergue, c. 
 
 151. Same legend. A woman standing, holding a globe 
 
 and the hasta transversely. In the field, s. p. 
 
 152. Same legend. A woman standing, touching with a wand 
 
 a globe on the ground ; on her left arm, a cornucopia. 
 In the field, s. p. In the exergue of some, c. 
 
 153. PROVIDE. AVG. A woman standing, holding a globe and 
 
 a cornucopia. In the field, s. p. or s. c. 
 
 154. PRoviDEN. AVG. A woman standing, touching a globe 
 
 with a wand ; on her left arm, a cornucopia. In the 
 exergue, c. 
 
 155. PROVIDENT. AVG. A woman standing, holding a globe 
 
 and the hasta transversely. In the field, b. In the 
 exergue, mlxxi. 
 
 156. PROviDENTiA AVG. A womau standing, holding a gar- 
 
 land (or a branch) and a wand.
 
 140 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 157. Same legend. A woman standing, holding in each hand 
 
 a military ensign. 
 
 158. Same legend. A woman standing, holding a wand and 
 
 a cornucopia. 
 
 159. Same legend. A woman standing, holding a branch and 
 
 a cornucopia. 
 
 160. Same legend. A woman standing, holding a globe and a 
 
 cornucopia. In the field, s. p. 
 
 161. RExovAT. ROMA. Romulus and Remus suckled by the 
 
 wolf. In the exergue, c. or rsr. 
 162 RESTiTVT. SAECVL. The emperor standing, holding a 
 globe and the hasta pura. Victory standing behind. 
 
 163. RESTITVT. sAECVLi. The emperor, in a military habit, 
 
 standing, holding a spear : Victory behind, placing a 
 garland on his head. In the exergue, c 
 
 164. ROMAE AETER. A tcmplc Avith six columns; within, a 
 
 figure seated, full-faced. In the exergue, spc. 
 
 165. Same legend. A figure standing; Rome seated on 
 
 spoils, cxxi. 
 
 166. ROMANORVM RENOv. Romulus and Remus suckled by 
 
 the wolf. 
 
 167. SAECVLARES AVG. A liou Walking. In the exergue, mc. 
 
 (In the Hunter collection.) 
 
 168. SAECVLARES AVGG. A lion Standing. (Stukeley.) 
 
 These types were, doubtless, imitated from 
 those of the denarii of Philip and his son. 
 
 169. SAECVLI FELiciTAs. The emperor marching, bearing a 
 
 javelin and a globe. 
 
 170. Same legend. The emperor standing, holding a javelin 
 
 and a globe. 
 
 171. Same legend. Felicity standing, with a caduceus and 
 
 cornucopia. 
 
 172. SAECVLI FELiciT. A naked figure standing, holding a 
 
 javelin and a globe. In the field, s. c. In the ex- 
 ergue, c.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 141 
 
 173. SALvs AVG. Salus standing, holding the hasta, and 
 
 feeding a serpent rising from an altar. In the field, s.c. 
 
 174. Same legend. A similar type, with b. e. in the field, 
 
 and MLxxi. in the exergue. 
 
 175. Same legend. A similar type, without letters in the 
 
 field or in exergue. 
 
 176. Same legend. A similar type. In the field, s. f. In 
 
 the exergue, mlxxi. 
 
 177. Same legend. Salus standing, holding a serpent feeding 
 
 from a patera, which she holds in her left hand. In 
 the field, s. p. In the exergue, mlxxi. or jvtlxx. 
 
 178. Same legend. Salus, seated before an altar, feeding a 
 
 serpent. 
 
 179. SALVS AVGGG. Salus feeding a serpent out of a patera. 
 
 In the field, s. p. In the exergue, c. (Cabinet of 
 J. Brumell, Esq.) 
 
 180. SALVS PVBLiCA. Salus standing, feeding a serpent out 
 
 of a patera. In the field, b. e. In the exergue, mlx. 
 The obverse has the radiated bust of Carausius, with 
 coat of mail, a spear, and a round shield, ornamented 
 with three equestrian figures : legend, imp. caravsivs 
 p. F. AVG. (Cabinet of the late F. Douce, Esq.) 
 
 181. SECVRiT Security leaning on a column. 
 
 182. SECVRiTAS ORBis. Sccurity seated. 
 
 183. SOLI INVICTO. The sun in a quadriga, his right hand 
 
 elevated. In the exergue, vc. The obverse has the 
 radiated bust of Carausius, with javelin and buckler : 
 legend, imp. caravsivs avg. 
 
 184. SPES PVBL {sic). Hope. In the field, s. p. 
 
 18.5, SPES PVBL Hope. In the field, s. p. In the 
 
 exergue, c. 
 
 186. SPES PVBLICA. Hope. In the field, s c. 
 
 187. Same legend. Hope. In the exergue, m. 
 
 188. TEMP. FELiciTAs. The four seasons. 
 
 The TEMP, is })laced on the upper part of the
 
 142 COINS OF THE liOMANS 
 
 reverse, the word felicitas in the exergue. A 
 coin of this type is figured in Stukeley, but with 
 the omission of the former part of the inscription. 
 It forms part of the collection made by Mr. 
 C. R. Smith from the bed of the Thames.* 
 
 189. TEMPO FELic. Felicitv Standing, holding; a loiig catluccus 
 
 and a cornucopia. 
 
 190. TEMPORVM FEL. A similar type. In the field, s. c. 
 
 191. TEMPORVM FELL A similar type. In the field, s. p. In 
 
 the exergue, c. 
 
 192. TEMPORVM FELICITAS. A woman standing, holding a 
 
 garland and a cornucopia. 
 
 193. TVTELA AVG. A woman standing, holding a patera over 
 
 an altar ; on her left arm, a double cornucopia. (In 
 the Hunter collection.) 
 
 194. Same legend. A similar type; but the woman holds a 
 
 single cornucopia. 
 
 195. TVTELA V A woman standing, holding a 
 
 flower and a cornucopia. 
 
 196. VBERITAS AVG. The emperor, in a military habit, joining 
 
 hands with Neptune, who stands on the prow of a 
 vessel. (Stukeley.) 
 
 197. Same legend. The emperor and a woman, joining hands, 
 
 each holding the hasta pura. In the exergue, rsr. 
 The obverse has the laureated bust of Carausius, with 
 the trabea, holding a sceptre surmounted by an eagle : 
 legend, imp. caravsivs p. f. a. 
 
 198. VBERTAS AVG. Ncptunc Standing on the prow of a 
 
 vessel, joining hands with the emperor in a military 
 habit. 
 
 199. Same legend. A woman milking a cow. In the exer- 
 
 gue, RSR. 
 
 * Num. Chron. vol. iv. p. 147 et seq.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 143 
 
 200. . iCTOKiA. Victory standing, holding the hasta and a 
 
 wreath . 
 
 In the collection of Mr. C. R. Smith. 
 
 201. VICTORIA AVG. \"ictory, with wreath and palm-branch, 
 
 standing on a globe between two sedent captives. 
 
 This coin was found in the bed of the Thames, 
 near London Bridge, and is now in the collection 
 of Mr. C. R. Smith. 
 
 202. VICTORIA AVG. Victory walking, holding a garland and 
 
 a palm-branch. In the exergue, cxxi. 
 
 203. VICTORIA AVG. A similar type. In the field, s. p. In 
 
 the exergue, ml. 
 
 204. Same legend. Victory marching, holding a garland and 
 
 a palm-branch ; at her feet, a captive. In the field, c. 
 
 205. Same legend. A similar type In the field 
 
 In the exergue, mc. 
 
 206. Same legend. A similar type, without letters in the 
 
 field. In the exergue, mc. 
 
 207. Same legend. A similar type. In the field, e. In the 
 
 exergue, mlxxi. 
 
 208. victoria avgg. Victory marching, holding a garland 
 
 and palm-branch. In the field, +. 
 
 209. Same legend. A woman standing, holding the hasta, 
 
 and sacrificing on an altar. (Stukeley.) 
 
 210. Same legend. Victory marching, holding a garland and 
 
 a palm-branch. In the field, +. 
 
 211. victoria A trophy between two captives. 
 
 212. victoria Victory standing, holding the hasta 
 
 and a palm-branch. In the exergue, ml. 
 
 213. viTORiA (sic) AVG. A woman standing, holding a flower 
 
 and the hasta. 
 
 214. VICTORIA GKR. A trophv between two captives.
 
 144 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 '215. VICTORIA PR. (The legend from right to left.) A 
 woman standing, holding the hasta and a palm-hranch. 
 In the exergue, ml. 
 
 216. viRTVs Av. A woman standing, holding a flower and 
 
 the hasta. 
 
 Ill the collection of Mr. C. R. Smith. 
 
 217. VIRTVS AVG. A mihtary figure standing, with shield and 
 
 spear. In the field, s. c. In the exergue, c. 
 
 Some are mthout letters in the field and 
 the exergue. 
 
 218. VIRTVS AVG. Mars naked marching, with javelin and 
 
 buckler. In the field, s. c. 
 
 219. Same legend. Mars marching, with spear and trophy. 
 
 In the field of some, s. c. 
 
 220. Same legend. A militarv figure marching, with spear 
 
 and shield. 
 
 221. Same legend. Victory marching, with garland and 
 
 palm-branch. (Stukeley.) 
 
 222. Same legend. Victory standing, with garland or palm- 
 
 branch. 
 
 223. VIRTVS AV. A woman standing, holding a globe and a 
 
 cornucopia. 
 
 224. VIRTVS AVGG. A military figure standing, with spear 
 
 and shield. 
 
 225. Same legend. A military figure standing, holding an 
 
 inverted javelin and a buckler. In the exergue, c. 
 The obverse has the radiated bust of Carausius, with 
 the paludamentum : legend, imp. c. m. avr. caravsivs 
 
 p. AVG. 
 
 The coin which bears this uncommon legend 
 on the obverse, was originally in the cabinet of 
 the late F. Douce, Esq.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 145 
 
 226. viRTVTE AVG. Hercules strangling the Nemaean lion ; a 
 
 club on the ground. In the field, s. p. In the exer- 
 gue, c. 
 
 227. viRTVTi AVG. Hercules standing; a club in his right 
 
 hand, a bow in his left. 
 
 228. Same legend. A galley, with rowers. (Mionnet.) 
 
 229. viRTVs iNV. AVG. A military figure standing, holding a 
 
 javelin and a globe. In the exergue, l. 
 
 230. viRTV. AVG. Hercules, arrayed in the lion's skin, joining 
 
 hands over an altar, with a female figure. In the 
 exergue, xx. 
 
 This unique coin, the property of Lord Albert 
 Conyngham, was found near Newbury. It was 
 stolen in its transit through the Post Office. 
 
 231. viTAVi. A woman standing, holding in each hand a 
 
 serpent. (Cabinet of the late F. Douce, Esq.) See the 
 remarks in the note at p. 113. 
 
 232. VOTVM pvBLic. An altar, with the fire kindled, inscribed 
 
 XX. IMP. In the exergue, rsr. 
 
 233 x. . . VG. A woman standing, holding in her 
 
 right hand a garland : in her left, a head with a mural 
 crown. (Stukeley.) 
 
 CARAUSIUS, DIOCLETIANUS, AND MAXIMIANUS. 
 
 Obverse, caravsivs et fratres svi. The heads of Carausius, 
 Diocletianus, and Maximianus, side by side ; the 
 first radiated, the second bare, and that of Max- 
 imianus with the lion's skin. 
 
 Reverse, pax avggg. Peace standing to the right, holding 
 an olive-branch and the hasta pura. In the field, 
 s. p. In the exergue, g. (Eckhel, Doct. Num. 
 Vet. vol.viii. p. 47.) 
 
 A coin of this interesting and rare type, is 
 
 u
 
 146 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 stated by Stukeley to have belonged to Mr. 
 Wale, of Colne in Lancashire, in whose custody 
 it appears to have remained for some time un- 
 noticed, in a mass of Roman coins found at Ches- 
 terford, until detected by the experienced^eye of 
 Mr. Charles Gray, F.R.S., F.S.A. Stukeley 
 describes it, " of excellent workmanship, and 
 perfect preservation, the faces of the three em- 
 perors distinct, and easily known ; Diocletian in 
 the middle, Carausius on his right, Maximian 
 uppermost, exactly according to the rule of 
 manners."* 
 
 ALLECTUS. 
 
 [a.d. 293 TO A.u. 296.] 
 
 Allectus succeeded to a tottering throne, and 
 his days were numbered. The shores of the Con- 
 tinent were covered with troops, and Constantius 
 had arranged them in such a manner that Al- 
 lectus was left in doubt as to the place of his 
 meditated landing. The usurper beheld the vast 
 preparations with alarm and terror ; but resolved 
 to maintain, by force of arms, the power he had 
 acquired by the basest treachery. The principal 
 squadron, destined to make a descent upon the 
 
 * Medallic Hist, of Carausins, vol. i. p. 106. Ijondon, 1757.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 147 
 
 island, rendezvoused in the mouth of the Seine ; 
 and, under the command of the prtefect Ascle- 
 piodotus, set sail for Britain on a stormy day, 
 and with a side wind, an adventure which the 
 panegyrists of the time lauded as something new 
 in the annals of Roman warfare.* Fortune 
 smiled upon the expedition, which, under cover 
 of a dense fog, eluded the fleet of Allectus 
 stationed off the Isle of Wight, and landed on 
 the western coast. The pra3fect immediately 
 burnt his galleys; and, as the adventure was 
 crowned by success, he obtained great praise for 
 this bold act. 
 
 Allectus had taken his station near London, 
 in anticipation of the attack of Constantius 
 who conmianded the fleet at Boulogne, when 
 the news reached him of the landing of As- 
 clepiodotus. The usurper, ^\dth rash impetu- 
 osity, hastened to meet the enemy. His troops, 
 wearied by forced marches, encountered those of 
 Asclepiodotus with every possible disadvantage. 
 The result was fatal to Allectus; his army was 
 defeated with great slaughter, and he himself 
 perished in the conflict. 
 
 The coins of Allectus are of gold and silver; 
 
 * " Ventura, quia directus non erat, captaret obliquum. 
 Quis enim se, quamlibet iniquo mari, non auderet credere, te na- 
 vigante ?" — Eumenius Paueg-. in Constantino Ctes. cap. xiv.
 
 148 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 iiiid brass, of the small size. They bear a well- 
 executed bust with a marked character, which 
 may be considered an accurate portrait of the 
 usurper. The reverses are, for the chief part, 
 similar to those on the coins of Carausius.* The 
 most common is that with a galley filled with 
 rowers, and the legends laetitia avg., and 
 viETVS AVG., the latter legend being most fre- 
 quent. A ship was the favourite type for a 
 state among the Romans : Horace uses it in his 
 ode " Ad Rempvhlicam /' and the fathers of the 
 Christian church appear to have regarded it as 
 a proper emblem, since it is found on many 
 monuments in the catacombs at Eonie. The 
 LAETITIA is an empty compliment to the self- 
 
 * Vaillant (Num. Imp. Rom. torn. iii. p. 67) says of the 
 reverses of the coins of AUectus, " Fortasse Monetarii festi- 
 imntes typo avers?e partis nunimorum Carausii usi sunt :" this 
 supposes that he had no coins struck until he had murdered 
 Carausius. It is singular that, with few exceptions, they are 
 of better execution than those of the first usurper, a still further 
 proof that those who aspired to sovereign power took care to 
 be prepared beforehand (see the remarks under Marius) with 
 the most powerful persuasive both in ancient and modern 
 times. Under any circumstances, it was the custom to lose no 
 time in preparing money with the imperial effigy ; thus we 
 find in Tacitus (Hist. lib. ii. c. 82), that one of the first acts of 
 Vespasian at Antioch was to strike money : " Prima belli cura 
 agere delectus ; revocare Veteranos ; destinantur validse civi- 
 tates exercendis armorum officinis : apud /Intiochenses aurum 
 argentumqne signatur."
 
 RELATING TO BKITAIN. 149 
 
 created emperor whose vessel soon foundered. 
 When the virtvs accompanies this tyjDC, it would 
 appear to denote that AUectus felt conscious of 
 the advantage he possessed, in the fleet which 
 guarded the shores of his island. 
 
 GOLD AND SILVER. 
 
 L ADVENTvs AVG The emperor, wearing the radiated 
 crown, on horseback ; his right hand elevated, his left 
 holding a staff; before, a captive seated on the ground. 
 
 AU. 
 
 In the cabinet of Count D'Erceville. Com- 
 municated by M. de Longperier. This coin is 
 probably unique. 
 
 2. COMES AVG. Minerva standing, holding in her right 
 
 hand a branch ; in her left, a javelin and buckler. In 
 the exergue, ml. (Hunter.) au. 
 
 3. ORiENS AVG. The sun standing, between two captives 
 
 seated on the ground ; his right hand elevated, his 
 left holding a globe. In the exergue, ml. (Mead's 
 Catalogue, p. 13.) au. 
 
 This coin is probably unique : the remarks on 
 that of Carausius with the same type apply to 
 this. 
 
 4. PAX AVG. Peace standing; her right hand holding aloft 
 
 an olive-branch, her left holding the hasta transversely. 
 In the exergue, ml. au. and ar. 
 
 This is the least rare of the gold types. One 
 was found in the Isle of Dogs a short time since, 
 and purchased for the British Museum. A coin
 
 150 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 of this type, in the cabinet of Mr. l>runiell, is 
 plated with silver. 
 
 .5. Same legend. Same type, with s. f. in the field, and 
 ML. in the exergue. ar. 
 
 6. PROviDENTiA AVG (or DEOK.) Providence standing. 
 
 In the field, s. p. In the exergue, msl. (Mionnet.) 
 
 AR. 
 
 7. SALVs AVG. Salus standing, holding a serpent, which 
 
 she feeds out of a patera. In the exergue, ml. (Haym.) 
 
 AR. 
 
 8. SALVS AVG. Hygeia feeding a serpent out of a patera. 
 
 In the exergue of some, ml. au. 
 
 There is a modern forgery of this type in 
 silver, which has been, probably, cast in a mould 
 formed from the gold coin. 
 
 9. SPES AVG. Hope, In the exergue, mi. or ml. au. 
 
 10. viRTvs AVG. The emperor on horsehack, armed with a 
 
 javelin, riding over a prostrate enemy. In the exergue, 
 . . . (In the Hunter collection.) Au. 
 
 11. viRTVs AVG. Mars standing. In the exergue, msl. 
 
 AU. 
 
 This unique coin was purchased at the Trattle 
 sale, for the Duke de Blacas, for £74 ! a most 
 absurd and extravagant price. 
 
 THIRD BRASS. 
 
 1. ADVENTVS AVG. Allcctus on horscback, his right hand 
 
 raised, his left holding a staff. In the exergue, spc. 
 
 2. AEQviTAS AVG. Equitv Standing, with her attributes. 
 
 In the field, s. p. In the exergue, c. 
 
 3. Same legend. A similar type; s. a. in tlie field; x^JL. iu 
 
 the exergue.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 151 
 
 4. come;s avg. Minerva standing. 
 
 5. DiANAE REDVCi. Diana standing. 
 
 6. FELiciTAS sAECVLi. Felicitv standing before an altar, 
 
 holding in her hands a patera and a cornucopia. In 
 the field, s. p. In the exergue, c. 
 
 7. FIDES MiLiTVM. A wouian standing, holding an ensign 
 
 in each hand. In the field, s. p. In the exergue, c. 
 
 8. FIDES MILITVM. A similar type ; s. p. in the field ; cl. 
 
 in the exergue. 
 
 9. HiLARiTAS AVG. A vvoman standing, holding a branch 
 
 and a coi'nucopia. In the field, s p. In the exergue, 
 
 ML. 
 
 10. Same legend. A similar type ; s.a. in the field ; m. in 
 
 the exergue. 
 
 1 1 . Same legend. A similar type ; s. p. in the field ; c. in 
 
 the exergue. 
 
 12. lovi coNSERVATORi. Jupitcr standing, holding the hasta 
 
 and a thunderbolt. In the field, s. p. 
 
 13. LAETiTi. . . AVG. Laetitia standing, holding in her right 
 
 hand a branch or a garland, and in her left an in- 
 verted javelin. In the field, s. p. In the exergue, c. 
 
 14. Same legend. A similar type: s. a. in the field ; msl. 
 
 in the exergue. 
 
 15. LAETITIA AVG. A similar type. In the field, s. p. In 
 
 the exergue, cl. 
 
 16. Same legend. A similar type. In the field, s, a. In 
 
 the exergue, ml. 
 
 17. Same legend. A similar type. In the field, s. p. In 
 
 the exergue, c. 
 
 18. Same legend. A similar type. In the field, s.a. In 
 
 the exergue, msl. 
 
 19. Same legend. A similar type, with ml. in the exergue. 
 
 20. Same legend. A similar type. In the field, s. p. In 
 
 the exergue, cl. 
 
 21. Same legend. A similar tvpe. In the field, s. a. In 
 
 the exergue, ml.
 
 152 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 22. Same legend. A galley with a mast, and with four 
 
 rowers. In the exergue, qc. 
 
 23. Same legend. A galley, with six rowers. In the exer- 
 
 gue, QC. 
 24 Same legend. A galley, without mast, and four rowers. 
 In the exergue, ql. 
 
 25. LAETiTiA AVGvsTi. A womau standing, holding in her 
 
 right hand a branch or a garland, and in her left a 
 javelin reversed. In the exergue, c. 
 
 26. MONETA AVG. Moneta standing, with her attributes. 
 
 In the field, s. p. In the exergue, c. 
 
 27. MONETA AVG. A similar tvpe : with s. a. in the field, 
 
 and ML. in the exergue. (Or, s. a. in the field, and 
 MSL. in the exergue. ) 
 
 28. ORiENS AVG. The sun standing; his right hand raised; 
 
 his left holding a glol)e. In the field, s. v. (In the 
 Hunter collection.) 
 
 29. PAX AVG. Peace standing, holding a flower in her right 
 
 hand, and the hasta pura erect in her left. In the 
 field, s. p. In the exergue, c. 
 
 30. Same legend. A similar tvpe ; with s. p. in the field, 
 
 and ML. in the exergue. (Or, s. a. in the field, and 
 ML, in the exergue.) 
 
 31. Same legend. Peace standing, holding in her right 
 
 hand a flower, and in her left the hasta transversely. 
 In the field, s. a In the exergue, ml. 
 
 32. Same legend. A similar tvpe ; with s p. in the field, 
 
 and c. in the exergue. 
 
 33. Same legend. A similar type, with s. a. in the field, and 
 
 ml. in the exergue. (Or, s. m. in the field, and ml. in 
 the exergue : or, s. p. in the field, and ml. in the exer- 
 gue : or, s. A. in the field, and msl. in the exergue.) 
 
 34. Same legend. A similar type; with s. A. in the field, 
 
 and ml. in the exergue The obverse has the bust of 
 AUectus, with radiated crown and coat of inail, holding 
 a javelin and a buckler: legend, imp. allectvs p. f. 
 AVG. (In the Hunter collection.)
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 153 
 
 35. Same legend. Same type and letters. The obverse has 
 
 the bust of Allectus, with radiated head and the trabea, 
 holding a sceptre, surmounted by an eagle : legend, 
 IMP. ALLECTVS P. F. AVG. (In the Hunter collection.) 
 
 36. piETAs AVG. Piety, holding a cornucopia and a patera, 
 
 sacrificing on an altar. In the field, s. a. In the ex- 
 ergue, ML. 
 
 37. PROviD. AVG. Type of Providence. In the field, s. p. 
 
 In the exergue, c. The obverse of this coin reads 
 IMP. c. ALLECTVS piv. FEL. AVG. ; radiated head to the 
 right. (Cabinet of Mr. C. R. Smith.) 
 
 38. PRoviD. AVG. A woman standing ; in her right hand, a 
 
 globe ; in her left, a cornucopia. In the field, s. p. 
 In the exergue, c. (Or, s. p. in the field, and ml. in 
 the exergue : or, s. a. in the field, and ml. in the ex- 
 ergue.) 
 
 39. PROviDENTiA AVG. A woman standing, holding a globe 
 
 in her right hand, and the hasta pura in her left. In 
 the field, s. p. In the exergue, c. 
 
 40. Same legend. A similar type ; with s. a. in the field, 
 
 and msl. in the exei'gue. 
 
 41. Same legend. A woman standing, holding in her right 
 
 hand a globe, and in her left the hasta pura trans- 
 versely. In the field, s. p. In the exergue, c. 
 
 42. Same legend. A woman standing, holding in her right 
 
 hand a globe, and in her left a cornucopia. In the 
 field, s. p. In the exergue, c. 
 
 43. Same legend. A similar type : with s. a. in the field, 
 
 and ML. in the exergue. 
 
 44. Same legend. A similar type : with s. a. in the field, 
 
 and ML. in the exergue. The obverse has the bust of 
 Allectus with radiated head, buckler, and coat of mail, 
 holding a javelin resting on his shoulder. (British 
 Museum.) 
 
 45. Same legend. A woman standing, touching with a 
 
 wand, which she holds in her right hand, a globe on 
 
 X
 
 154 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 the ground, and holding a cornucopia in her left. In 
 the field, 8. p. In the exergue, c. 
 
 46. Same legend. A similar type: with s. p. in the field, 
 
 and CL. in the exergue. 
 
 47. ROMAE AETEKN. A temple, with eight columns : within, 
 
 a sedent figure. In the exergue, . . . (In the 
 Hunter collection.) 
 
 48. SAECVLI FELiciTAs. The emperor standing, holding in 
 
 his right hand the hasta transversely, and in his left 
 a globe. In the field, s. p. In the exergue, ml. 
 
 49. SALVS AVG. Salus standing, feeding a serpent out of a 
 
 patera. In the field, s. a. In the exergue, ml. 
 
 50. Same legend. A similar type. In the field, s. p. In 
 
 the exergue, ml. 
 
 51. SALVS AVG, Salus standing before an altar, holding in 
 
 her right hand a patera, and in her left the hasta pura. 
 In the field, s. c. In the exergue, ml. 
 
 52. Same legend. Salus, feeding a serpent, rising from an 
 
 altar ; her left hand holding the hasta. In the field, 
 s. A. In the exergue, ml. 
 
 53. spES AVG. The usual type of Hope. In the field, 
 
 s. A. In the exergue, ml. 
 
 54. Same legend. Same type : with s.a. in the field, and 
 
 ML in the exergue. (Or, s. p. in the field, and ml. in 
 the exergue.) 
 
 55. spEs pvBLicA. Same type : with s. p. in tlie field, and 
 
 ml. in the exergue. 
 56". Same legend. Same type : with s. p. in the field, and c. 
 in the exergue. 
 
 57. TEMPORVM FELic. FeUcity Standing, holding in her right 
 
 hand a caduceus, and in her left the hasta pura. 
 In the field, s. p. In the exergue, cl. 
 
 58. Same legend. Felicity standing, holding a long caduceus 
 
 and a cornucopia. In the field, s. p. In the exergue, c. 
 
 59. TEMPORVM FELiciT. A similar type : s. p. in the field ; 
 
 c. in the exergue.
 
 EELATING TO BRITAIN. 155 
 
 60. TEMPORVM FELiciTAS. A similar type : s. a. in the field ; 
 
 MSL. (or CL.) in the exergue. 
 
 61. VICTORIA AVG. Victory marching, with garland and 
 
 palm-branch. In the field, s. p. In the exergue, ml. 
 
 62. viRTVs AVG. The emperor standing to the right, 
 
 holding in the right hand a javelin ; in the left, a 
 globe. In the field, s. a. In the exergue, ml.* 
 
 63. Same legend. Hercules standing. In the field, s. p. In 
 
 the exergue, ml. (In the collection of Mr. C. R. 
 Smith.) 
 
 64. VIRTVS AVG. Mars standing, with spear and buckler : 
 
 In the field, s. p. In the exergue, c. 
 
 65. Same legend. Same type. In the field, s. a. In the 
 
 exergue, ml. 
 
 66. Same legend. A galley, with a mast, and four rowers- 
 
 In the exergue, qc. 
 
 67. Same legend. A galley, with a mast, and six rowers. 
 
 In the exergue, qc. 
 
 68. Same legend. A similar type, with seven rowers. In 
 
 the exergue, qc. 
 
 69. Same legend. A similar type, with five rowers ; the 
 
 emperor standing on the prow. In the exergue, qc. 
 (In the Hunter collection.) 
 
 70. Same legend. A galley, with mast, and four rowers, on 
 
 the sea. In the exergue, ql. 
 
 71. Same legend. A similar type, with five rowers. 
 
 72. Same legend. A galley, on the sea, without mast, and 
 
 six rowers. In the exergue, ql. 
 
 * Num. Chron. voLi. p. 264.
 
 156 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 CONSTANTINIIS MAGNUS. 
 
 [a.d. 311 TO A.D. 337.] 
 
 From the period of the defeat and death of Al- 
 lectus, to the tmie of the first Constantine, no 
 Roman corns appear to have been struck in 
 Britain, if we except those of Maximianus, which 
 have LON. or ml. or mlxxi. in the exergue, the 
 last two being found on the coins of Carausius ; 
 but under Constantine, coins were minted with 
 the letters plon. in the exergue. These letters 
 are by most antiquaries supposed to signify 
 Pecunia Londinensis ; and this conjecture is sup- 
 ported by the existence of many coins of Con- 
 stantine and his sons, with letters and numerals 
 indicating other places of mintage, such as Sir- 
 mium, Treves, Lugdunum, Aries, Siscia, Aquileia, 
 Rome, and Alexandria. Many of them, sup- 
 posed to have been struck at Lugdunum, have 
 merely the letter l. to indicate the place of 
 mintage. These are found in immense numbers 
 on the Continent ; and on that account are not 
 assigned to the London mint, while those with 
 PLON. are of rather unusual occurrence, and 
 are, ^Yithout doubt, the produce of the British 
 Colony, being more frequently discovered in
 
 EELATING TO BRITAIN. 157 
 
 England, than in other countries once forming 
 part of the Roman dominions.* 
 
 It is somewhat singular that no gold or silver 
 coins of Constantine and his sons bear the letters 
 of the London mint. All the coins of these 
 princes having plon. in the exergue, are of 
 small brass, and, as I believe, confined to par- 
 ticular types, which are here described : — 
 
 I. 
 
 Obverse. CONSTANTINVS AVG. Constantinus Augustus. 
 
 Helmeted bust of Constantine with coat of mail. 
 Reverse. BEATA TRANQVILLITAS. f A quadrangular 
 
 altar supporting a globe, over which are three 
 
 stars : on the fi-ont of the altar VOTIS XX : in 
 
 the exergue, PLON. 
 
 II. 
 
 Obverse. CONSTANTINVS AVG. Constantinus Augustus. 
 
 Laureated bust of Constantine with coat of mail : 
 
 in the right hand a sceptre surmounted with an 
 
 eagle. 
 Reverse. BEAT. TRANQLITAS. Altar, &c. as on No. I. 
 
 In the exergue, PLON. (Cabinet of Mr. C. R. 
 
 Smith.) 
 
 These types are extremely common, with other 
 
 * Jobert, desirous of giving these coins to Lugdunum 
 (Lyons) reads the plon. " Percussa Lugduni in officina 
 nona ;" but Bimard assigns them to the London mint. " Sci- 
 ence des Medailles," torn. ii. p. 104. edit. 1739. 
 
 t This legend is very frequently blundered or contracted : 
 
 thus TR.«lNQLITAS — TRANQVILITAS, and sometimes RANQLITAS.
 
 158 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 letters in the exergue.* These coins must have 
 been minted in prodigious numbers in many 
 parts of the empire, and were evidently issued 
 in commemoration of that profound tranquillity 
 which then reigned throughout the Eoman do- 
 minions. Father Harduin has been ridiculed for 
 seeing, in the three stars, a symbolic compliment 
 to the three emperors; but it is certainly a more 
 rational conjecture than many others in which 
 that antiquary indulged. Pindarf tells us, that 
 Tranquillity was the daughter of Justice, wlio 
 caused towns to flourish and become great ; and 
 Claudian, in his panegyric, styles Antoninus Pius 
 " Tranquillum Pium^'' and contrasts him with 
 the war-loving Severus. Coins of the younger 
 Constantine have the same reverse, with a ga- 
 leated, laureated, or crowned bust on the obverse, 
 as have also the coins of Crispus. 
 
 III. 
 
 Olverse. CONSTANTINVS AVG. Laureated bust of Con- 
 stantine. 
 
 Reverse. SARMATIA DEVICTA. Victory with a trophy 
 in her right hand, and a palm-branch in her left, 
 trampling on a captive seated on the ground before 
 her : in the exergue, PLON. and a crescent. 
 
 * It should be mentioned that the coins of this period, in 
 all the metals, very frequently have letters in the fieldj the 
 signification of which is extremely doubtful. 
 
 f Pvth. carm. viii.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 159 
 
 This type is also of very frequent occurrence 
 with other letters in the exergue. It commemo- 
 rates the victory obtained by Constantine over 
 the Sauromat^ who dwelt near the Palus Mseotis. 
 The emperor having heard that these people had 
 passed the Ister in boats, and pillaged his ter- 
 ritories, immediately marched against them. 
 The Sauromatte were led by their king, Rausi- 
 modus. Zosimus* tells us that the barbarians 
 attacked a town, the walls of which were topped 
 with wood only, which they fired, and then 
 assaulted on all sides : but the besieged made a 
 brave resistance; and in the height of the com- 
 bat Constantine arrived, and victory decided in 
 favour of the Roman army. Many were slain, 
 and great numbers were made prisoners. Rau- 
 simodus saved the remainder of his army by 
 flight, and, crossing the Ister, entered the Roman 
 dominions : but the victor was at his heels, and 
 again gave battle to him in a thick wood on the 
 summit of a hill. The Romans were once more 
 victorious, the king of the Sauromata3 was left 
 dead on the field, and great numbers of his fol- 
 lowers were made captives. 
 
 IV. 
 Obverse. CONSTANTINVS P. F. AVG. Constantinus 
 Pius Felix Augustus. Laureated bust of Con- 
 stantine with coat of mail. 
 
 * Lib. ii.
 
 160 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 Reverse. SOLI INVICTO COMITI. The sun wearing the 
 paUium, standing : his right hand elevated, his 
 left holding a globe ; in the exergue, MLON. 
 {Moneta Londinensis). 
 
 The same type is extremely common with 
 other letters in the exergue; and the first two 
 of these three reverses, with the same letters in 
 the exergue, occur on the coins of Crispus and 
 the younger Constantine. The coin here de- 
 scribed, must have been struck previously to the 
 year of Rome 1064 (a.d. 311), when Constan- 
 tine " embraced Christianity."* The deity on 
 the reverse was a favourite one vnih. his heathen 
 
 predecessors. 
 
 V. 
 
 Obverse. CONSTANTINVS AVG, Constantimis Augustus. 
 Helmeted bust of Constantine to the right. 
 
 Reverse. VIRTVS EXERCIT. Hrtus Exercitum. Two 
 captives, their hands bound behind their backs, 
 seated on the ground ; between them a labarum 
 inscribed VOT. XX. : in the exergue, PLON. 
 VT. 
 
 Obverse. CONSTANTINVS AVG. Constant inus Augustus. 
 Laureated head of Constantine to the right. 
 
 * I trust to be forgiven for copying the words of the his- 
 torian, in speaking of Constantine's abandonment of the gods 
 of his forefathers. To suppose, however, that he " embraced 
 Cliristiuiiity," is an insult to its meek Founder. He ascended 
 the throne, reeking with the slaughter of friends whom his 
 ambition had converted into enemies ; and he quitted for 
 ever the " eternal city" after the murders of his wife and son, 
 with the odious appellative of a " second Nero." Great as 
 were the abilities of Constantine, it required not the prejudice 
 of Zosimus to render his name hateful to humanitv.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 161 
 
 Reverse. PROVIDENTIAE AVGG. Providentice Augus- 
 torum. The gate of a camp ; above, a star. In 
 the exergue, PLON. (Cabinet of Mr. C. R. 
 Smith.) 
 
 To those who are practically acquainted with 
 Roman coins, it is scarcely necessary to add that 
 there is no coin of Constantine struck at London 
 and commemorating his baptism. Those who 
 would learn on what authority such an absurd 
 story has been built, are referred to a notice in 
 the Numismatic Journal.* 
 
 FAUSTA. 
 
 [a.d. 307 TO A.D. 326.] 
 
 The coins of this empress, the daughter of Max- 
 imianus Hercules, and wife of Constantine the 
 Great, are common in small brass, except those 
 which bear the letters plon. in the exergue, 
 which are of considerable rarity. The following 
 coin is in the cabinet of Mr. Brumell : — 
 
 Obverse. FLAV. MAX. FAVSTA AVG. Flavia Maxima 
 
 Fausta Augusta. Bust of the empress to the 
 
 right. 
 Reverse. SALVS REIPVBLICAE. Safety of the Republic. 
 
 A woman standing, holding a child on each arm : 
 
 in the exergue, PLON. 
 
 * Vol. i. p. 260. 
 Y
 
 162 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 This type, though doubtless intended as a 
 compliment to the empress, is not of very easy 
 interpretation. Do the two children represent 
 the princes to whom Fausta had given birth, or 
 are they typical of the Roman people? The 
 numismatist will remember the coins of Julia 
 Domna, on which she is styled " Mater Senatus" 
 and " Mater Caatrorum^'' and the denarii of 
 Plautilla which bear the proud boast " Propago 
 Imperi.^^ 
 
 Fausta was married to Constantine in the year 
 307 ; and by his order suffocated in a warm bath 
 A.D. 326. Some assert that she was not guilty 
 of the crime for which she suffered. 
 
 CRISPUS. 
 
 [a.d. 317 TO A.D. 326.] 
 
 The coins of this prince, struck, as is generally 
 supposed, in the London mint, are as follow : — 
 
 I. 
 
 Obverse. FL. IVL. CRISPVS NOB. CAES. Flavins Ju- 
 lius Crispus Nohilissimus Ccesar. Laureated 
 bust of Crispus with the paludamentum. 
 
 Reverse. PROVIDENTIA CAESS. Providentia Ccesarum. 
 The gate of a camp ; above, a star :* in the exer- 
 gue, PLON. (Pecunia Londinensis). 
 
 * This object is palpably imitated on a penny of the Anglo- 
 Saxon King Edweard the First. See Ruding, plate 16, No. 21.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 163 
 
 The same type is found on the coins of the 
 
 younger Constantine. 
 
 II. 
 Obverse. IVL. CRISPVS NOB. C. Julius Crispus No- 
 
 hilissimus Ccesar, Laureated head of Crispus. 
 Reverse. VOT. X. {Votis decern), within a garland, around 
 
 which are the words CAESARVM NOSTRO- 
 
 RVM : in the exergue, PLON. {Pecunia Londi- 
 
 nensis}, and a crescent. 
 III. 
 Obverse. CRISPVS NOBIL. C. Crispus NoUlissimus Ccesar. 
 
 Laureated head of Crispus ; bust in armour, with 
 
 shield and javelin in front. 
 Reverse. BEAT. TRANQLITAS. An altar, surmounted by a 
 
 globe, inscribed VOTIS XX. In the exergue, 
 
 PLON. 
 
 IV. 
 Obverse. As No. III. Helmeted head ; bust in armour ; on 
 
 the left arm a shield ; in the right hand a javelin 
 
 resting on the shoulder. 
 Reverse. BEATA TRANQVILLITAS. An altar, as No. III. 
 
 In the field, P. A. In the exergue, PLON. 
 
 The last two coins are in the collection of Mr. 
 C. R. Smith. 
 
 CONSTANTINUS JUNIOR. 
 
 [a.d. 317 TO A.D. 340.] 
 
 The coins of this prince resemble those of his 
 father and brother; but many of them bear a 
 portrait by no means resembling that of the 
 elder Constantine. The reader will scarcely
 
 164 COINS OF THE EOMANS 
 
 require to be reminded that this prince was the 
 legitimate son of Constantine, by his wife Fausta, 
 and that Crispus was also his son, but by a con- 
 cubine named Minervina. Crispus was put to 
 death by command of his father, upon a charge 
 of having attempted the chastity of the empress 
 Fausta, who was subsequently detected in an 
 amour with a slave. The portraits on the coins 
 of this prince, are invariably like those of his 
 father; but those of the younger Constantine 
 have frequently a totally different character, a 
 fact for which I am unable to account. 
 
 The types of the small brass coins of this 
 prince, with the initials of the London mint, re- 
 semble, in every respect, those of his brother 
 Crispus. 
 
 CONSTANTIUS JUNIOR. 
 
 [a.d. 323 TO A.D. 361.] 
 
 I. 
 
 Obverse. FL. IVL. CONSTANTIVS NOB. C. Tlie lau- 
 reated head of the Caesar to the left ; front bust 
 with an embroidered paludamentum over the 
 tunic. 
 
 Reverse. PROVIDENTIAE CAESS. The gate of a camp 
 surmounted by a star. In the exergue, PLON. 
 II. 
 
 Obverse. FLA. CONSTANTIVS NOB. C. Laureated head ; 
 bust, with paludamentum over the tunic, to the 
 right.
 
 KELATING TO BRITAIN. 165 
 
 Reverse. As No. I. In exergue, PLON. 
 
 These two coins are the only specimens yet 
 recorded of the younger Constantius, as be- 
 longing to the London mint. They are in the 
 cabinet of Mr. C. R. Smith, and were commu- 
 nicated by him to the Numismatic Society.* 
 
 HELENA. 
 
 There were three ladies of this name connected 
 with the family of Constantine; namely, the 
 mother of that emperor, the wife (as is sup- 
 posed) of Crispus, and the consort of Julian, 
 surnamed the Apostate. Their coins are not 
 easily distinguished, but the small brass example 
 here described, and which is exceedingly common 
 with other letters in the exergue, is supposed by 
 Eckhelf to bear the effigy of Helena Juliani. 
 Helena, the daughter of Constantine by Fausta, 
 was married to Julian when that prince was 
 declared Cassar (a.d. 355). She died a short 
 time after her husband's accession to the 
 empire. 
 Obverse. FL. HELENA AVGVSTA. Bust of Helen. 
 
 * Num. Chron. vol. i. p. 217. 
 
 t Doct. Num. Vet. vol. viii. p. 145.
 
 166 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 Reverse. SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE. A woman stand- 
 ing, holding in her right hand an olive-branch. 
 In the exergue, PIjON. 
 
 This piece occurs in the list of Roman coins 
 found in the bed of the Thames, communicated 
 by Mr. C. R. Smith to the Numismatic So- 
 ciety.* 
 
 MAGNUS MAXIMUS. 
 
 This usurj^er was a Spaniard by birth, and 
 general of the legions in Britain, in the reign 
 of the emperor Gratianus. He revolted, and 
 entered Gaul at the head of a powerful army, 
 A.D. 383. Theodosius defeated and caused him 
 to be beheaded at Aquileia, a.d. 388. All his 
 coins bear exergual letters of the continental 
 mints only. The same may be said of Constan- 
 tinus, a private soldier, proclaimed emperor by 
 the legions of Britain in the days of Honorius, 
 A. D. 411. 
 
 After this period, the minting of Roman coins 
 appears to have been confined to the capital, and 
 
 * Numismatic Chronicle, vol. iv. p. 191.
 
 RELATING TO BRITAIN. 167 
 
 the various cities of the Continent. I know of no 
 Roman coin, subsequent to the reign of the 
 younger Constantius, which has any indication of 
 its having been struck in Britain; and it has 
 been shewn that the Romans ceased to com- 
 memorate, on their coins, their deeds in this 
 island after the reigns of Geta and Caracalla. 
 Coins of the elder Constantine have reference to 
 France and Germany; but none are known with 
 any other allusion to Britain than the exergual 
 letters, plon. 
 
 On reviewing the types of the Roman coins 
 commemorating events in Britain, the antiquary 
 is compelled to confess that they afford but little 
 information respecting the manners and habits 
 of our savage ancestors. It is somewhat re- 
 markable that while Spain, Egypt, Parthia, Mau- 
 ritania, and other provinces, are characterised 
 on Roman coins by their peculiar attributes, 
 those which refer to Britain merely denote her 
 insular situation, or that the sea washed her 
 shores. On the money of Antoninus Pius, Par- 
 thia is distinguished by the quiver of arrows, 
 Africa by the proboscis of the elephant, Cappa- 
 docia by Mount Arg^eus, and Spain by her 
 rabbit, &c. ; but it Avould appear, that the artists 
 of the Roman mint took but little pains to
 
 168 COINS OF THE ROMANS 
 
 obtain further information than that the shores 
 of Britain were defended by rocks, and that the 
 province was surrounded by the sea. Did the 
 senate consider that the representation of a 
 naked and ill-armed barbarian, would convey 
 but a mean idea of the power of the Roman 
 arms, and therefore forbid a more characteristic 
 representation of Britain ? 
 
 Postscript. 
 
 In the introduction to this volume, the Britons 
 are described as being an easy prey to the new 
 invaders upon the decay of the Roman power. 
 This admits of some qualification. M. Guizot, 
 in his admirable " Essais sur THistoire de 
 France," observes that the Britons have unjustly 
 been accused of effeminacy for their letter to 
 Aetius,* unploring assistance from Rome; that 
 while Spain, Gaul, and Italy fell without a 
 struggle, Britain alone, less civilised, less Roman 
 than the other provinces, withstood for a time 
 the barbarian inroad; and the fact of their re- 
 sistance is on record. 
 
 * Beda, Hist. Eccles. ii. c.l3. 
 
 (^ 
 
 WcrtUrimt-r & Co.. Printers, Circus Hlace, Fiiisburj Circus.
 
 INDEX TO THE PLATES. 
 
 
 
 
 DESCKIBED AT 
 
 
 
 MBTAt. 
 
 PLATE. 
 
 I'AGE 
 
 COLLECTION. 
 
 Claudius 
 
 Gold 
 
 PI. I. No. 1 
 
 13 
 
 British Museum 
 
 Id. 
 
 Silver 
 
 „ „ 2 
 
 16 
 
 Id. 
 
 Claudius and "> 
 Britannicus j" 
 
 Gold 
 
 ,, ., 3 
 
 18 
 
 T. Thomas 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 „ ., 4 
 
 19 
 
 Id. 
 
 Hadrianus 
 
 Brass 
 
 „ „ ^ 
 
 23 
 
 British Museum 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 „ ,. G 
 
 23 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 „ o 7 
 
 25 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 .. ,. 8 
 
 25 
 
 Id. 
 
 Antoninus Pius 
 
 Brass 
 
 ,. „ 9 
 
 34 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 PI. II. „ 10 
 
 30 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 „ „ 11 
 
 34 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 .. ..12 
 
 34 
 
 H. Vint 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 „ .. 13 
 
 31 
 
 British Museum 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 ,. ,. 14 
 
 33, No. vii 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 ., » 15 
 
 33, No. viii 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 ., ., 16 
 
 32, No.vi 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 ,. ,. 17 
 
 32, No.vi 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 PI. III. „ 18 
 
 30, No. iii 
 
 Id. 
 
 COMMODUS 
 
 Brass 
 
 ., „ '9 
 
 38 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass (med.) 
 
 „ ,. 20 
 
 36 
 
 Id. 
 
 Sept. Severus 
 
 Silver 
 
 „ ., 21 
 
 47 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 „ ,. 22 
 
 46 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Silver 
 
 „ .. 23 
 
 47 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Silver 
 
 .- .. 24 
 
 45 
 
 Id. 
 
 Caracam.a 
 
 Brass 
 
 ,. „ 2.5 
 
 62 
 
 Id. 
 
 Skverus 
 
 Brass 
 
 Pl.IV.,, 26 
 
 46 
 
 Id. 
 
 Caracalla 
 
 Brass 
 
 „ .. 27 
 
 63 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 „ ., 28 
 
 63 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 „ „ 29 
 
 63 
 
 J. Y. Akerman 
 
 Id. 
 
 Silver 
 
 „ „ 30 
 
 64 
 
 Rri'vish Museum 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 >. ., 31 
 
 64 
 
 Id. 
 
 Geta 
 
 Silver 
 
 „ ,. 32 
 
 68 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 ,. „ 33 
 
 66, No. iii 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 ,. ,, 34 
 
 66, No. V 
 
 Rev. J. B. Reade 
 
 Caraustus 
 
 Brass 
 
 PI V. „ 35 
 
 141 
 
 C. R. Smith 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 „ ,. 36 
 
 130 
 
 C. F. Newman ? 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 .. ,. 37 
 
 131, No. 55 
 
 J. Y. Akerman 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 „ ,. 38 
 
 132. No. 73 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 ,. ,, 39 
 
 135 
 
 British Museum 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 >, .. 40 
 
 132, No. 77 
 
 C. R. Smith 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 „ „ 41 
 
 138,No. 140 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 ,, „ 42 
 
 143,No.201 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 „ „ 43 
 
 145, No. 230 
 
 fLord Albert 
 \ Conynghani 
 
 Allectus 
 
 Brass 
 
 ,. ., 44 
 
 153, No. 37 
 
 C. R. Smith 
 
 Id. 
 
 Gold 
 
 PI. VI. „ 45 
 
 149, No. 1 
 
 CountD'Erceville 
 
 Id. 
 
 Gold 
 
 ., .. 46 
 
 149, No. 4 
 
 British Museum 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 ., „ 47 
 
 155, No. 62 
 
 J. Y. Akerman 
 
 CONSTANTINUS \ 
 
 Magnus j 
 
 Brass 
 
 ,- ., 48 
 
 157 
 
 C. R. Smith 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 .. ,. 49 
 
 158 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 „ >, 50 
 
 160 
 
 Id. 
 
 Crispus 
 
 Brass 
 
 „ ,, 51 
 
 163 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 ,. „ 52 
 
 ' 163 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 „ „ 53 
 
 ':163 
 
 Id. 
 
 CONSTANTIUSJUN. 
 
 Brass 
 
 ., „ 54 
 
 164 
 
 Id. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Brass 
 
 „ „ 55 
 
 164 
 
 Id.
 
 170 INDEX TO THE PLATES, ETC. 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATE REPRESENTING THE MODE OF | 
 
 CASTING ROMAN COINS AS DESCRIBED AT PAGE 89. 'i 
 
 No. 1, represents the group of moulds arranged for casting. 
 
 No. 2, is a mass uf metal filling channel D. 
 
 No. 3. Ground-plan of moulds found at Lingwell-Gate. 
 
 No. 4. Highly-magnified representation of Navinila'., occurring in the 
 
 clay of which the moulds arc composed. (See page 9.').) 
 No. 5. Double pile of moulds with funnel attached. 
 No. 6. Crucible found at Lingwell-Gate. 
 
 WOODCUTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 1. Reverse of first brass of Antoninus, described at page 29 . . title 
 
 2. Reverse of second brass of Geta, described at page GS . . viii 
 
 3. Vignette 7 
 
 4. Medallion of Commodus . 37 
 
 5. Second brass of Geta ........ G8 
 
 6. Brass vessel discovered near Hexham . . . . .102 
 
 7. Inscriptions with the name of Tetricus, found at Bittern . 10'") 
 
 8. Gold coin of Maximian 109 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 The large brass coin of Caracalla (No. 3 1 ) is a variety of that described 
 
 at page C3. It is in the collection of the British Museum. 
 Page 132. To the description of No. 73 add " or qc"

 
 I
 
 ./»v
 
 1
 
 THE FOLLOWING 
 
 NUMISMATIC WORKS 
 
 BY JOHN YONGE AKERMAN, 
 
 MAY BE HAD OP THE PUBLISHER, 
 
 JOHN RUSSELL SMITH, 
 
 4, Old Compton Street, Soho Squabe. 
 
 I. 
 A DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF RARE AND UNEDITED 
 ROMAN COINS, from the earliest period to the Extinction of the 
 Empire under Constantine Paleologus. 2 Vols. 8vo. \L Is. 
 
 II. 
 COINS OF THE ROMANS RELATING TO BRITAIN, described and 
 illustrated with 6 plates. The Second edition, revised and greatly 
 enlarged. 8vo. 10s. 6 J. 
 
 III. 
 A NUMISMATIC MANUAL, or, Guide to the study of Greek, Roman, and 
 English Coins, with representations of many hundred types, all drawn 
 from the originals. Second edition, greatly enlarged. 1 Vol. 8vo. I/. Is. 
 
 Works edited by Mr. Akerman. 
 
 IV. 
 
 THE NUMISMATIC JOURNAL, a collection of papers on Numismatic 
 Subjects by the Editor and others, with numerous engravings on wood 
 and steel. 2 Vols. 8vo. 
 
 V. 
 
 THE NUMISMATIC CHRONICLE AND JOURNAL OF THE 
 NUMISMATIC SOCIETY, being a continuation of the Numismatic 
 Journal. 6 Vols. 8vo. 
 
 This periodical, the only one dedicated to Numismatic Science in England, ispublislicd 
 Quarterly ; four numbers, at 3s. Gd. each, making a volume. 
 
 Preparing for publication. 
 VI. 
 
 THE NEW TESTAMENT OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS 
 
 CHRIST ; with Numismatic and other Notes, and Engravings of many 
 
 Ancient Coins from the originals in the collection of the British Museum, 
 
 and the Cabinets of Paris, Vienna, &c. 
 
 The intention of the Editor is to furnish very accurate engravings of many Coins whicli 
 
 in a remarkable manner illustrate the H«rcn<f«e portions of the New Testament. 
 
 Not a word of controversial character will be inserted in the notes. The work 
 
 will be published in one Volume octavo, and at a price which will place it within 
 
 the reach of every reader. 
 
 *,!,* The vames of Suhsnihers may be addressed to the Editor, to the care of 
 Mr. J. R. Smith, 4, Old Compton Street, Soho Square.
 
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