Third century Roman mintmarks

[Valentinian]

When there is only one mint, Rome, there is no need for coins to have mintmarks to distinguish mints. In the third century when mint proliferated, most coins still did not have mintmarks. However, with the introduction c. 294 of the follis (a.k.a. nummus) under the First Tetrarchy of Diocletian mintmarks are typical and clear, e.g. ANT for Antioch.  The transition from different mints without distinguishing identification on the coins and different mints with clear distinguishing identification happens in the second half of the third century. Among the first clear mintmarks is this SERD for Serdica, a mint opened under Aurelian. This coin is from its first issue, Summer 271.

22-21 mm. 3.96 grams.
IMP C D AVRELIANVS AVG
CONSERVATOR AVG
Aesculapius standing head left, holding staff entwined with serpent.
RIC V.I Aurelian 258.
Estiot 271 (not in BN) page 389, reverse on plate 81, #166.
RIC on-line temporary 2523.

Show us some pre-tetrarchy Roman imperial coins with mintmarks!

 

[shanxi]

Rome mintmark

Probus (276-282)
Antoninianus, Rome
Obv.: IMP PROBVS AVG, Radiate bust left in imperial mantle, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle.
Rev.: SOLI INVICTO, R /crescent and star/ E in ex, Sol driving quadriga left, raising hand, holding globe and whip
4.43g, 22.4mm
Ref.: RIC 202

Doug Smith on Probus Mintmarks: https://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/probus.html

 

 

Edited April 26, 2023 by shanxi

[Orange Julius]

Panther City mint mark 😗

Edited April 26, 2023 by Orange Julius

[Al Kowsky]

The 8 pointed star below the eagle is a mintmark for Laodicea ad Mare.

The sign of Marnas below the eagle is a mintmark for Gaza.

The serpent around a flaming torch below a bull's head is the mintmark for Caesarea Maritima.

MON VRB (Moneta Urbis) is a mintmark for Rome, & used only for the coins of Antioch, Syria, in the reign of Philip I.

The word ANTIOXIA is a mintmark for Antioch, Syria.

The facing Bull's head below the eagle is a mintmark for Carrhae.

The thyrsos & wine cup below the eagle is a mintmark for Aelia Capitolina (Jerusalem).

 

[mc9]

Alexandria mintmark :

DIOCLETI - ANUS AVG : head laur. r.

VIRTUS MILITVM /Γ/ALE : tree turreted campgate, open ; no doors, 6 layers

Denarius, Alexandria, A.D.295 – 296, RIC VI 10a p.662

Edited April 27, 2023 by mc9

[ambr0zie]

Mintmark VIIC dot

 

PXV (both from Antioch)

[maridvnvm]

Carinus 

Obv:– IMP C M AVR CARINVS AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:– SALVS AVGG, Salus standing right, feeding snake
Minted in Lugdunum (_|D / LVG), Emission 7, Officina 4. early A.D. 284
Reference:– RIC 216 Bust Type C. Bastien 585

Ex. P. Gysen

[DonnaML]

I think the only one I have that qualifies as an actual mint mark (rather than an officina number at a particular mint) is this coin of Allectus with a London mint mark:

Allectus, Billon “Quinarius” [1/2 Antoninianus or Aurelianus; see fn.], 293-295/96 AD, London Mint. Obv. Radiate and cuirassed bust right, IMP C ALLECTVS P F AVG / Rev. Galley left with mast and rigging (no rowers), waves below, VIRTVS AVG above; in exergue, mintmark Q L [L = London Mint]. 19 mm., 3.16 g. RIC V-2 55 (p. 563) [erroneously identified by dealer as RIC 128, which has Q C mintmark for Camulodunum mint]; Sear RCV IV 13870; Burnett 111 [this variety] (App. 2, p. 34) [Andrew Burnett, “The Coinage of Allectus: Chronology and Interpretation,” British Numismatic Journal Vol. 54 (1984) pp. 21-40, available at https://www.britnumsoc.org/publications/Digital BNJ/pdfs/1984_BNJ_54_5.pdf ]. Purchased from Noonans (Noonans Mayfair Ltd., London, UK), Auction 269, 8 March 2023, Lot 736.  [Footnote omitted.]