Mint Mark Question On My Ae3s

I think what you are referring to are the coins field markings. These get pretty crazy on the SECVRITAS REIPVBLICA issue. What you are referring to would be referenced as 'Star over A over O'. These supposedly are officina marks, there should still be a mint mark.

Having looked it up, the closest I found was a Valens with 'Star over M over O', with a Q in the right field and the mintmark ASISCR. If you post a picture then a proper reference should be possible.

The marks you are looking at are not mint or officina marks on the coins of Valentinian I. In the form you describe they are specific to the mint at Siscia. Here is an example of what I think you have:




Let me know if it is close.

The "stack" on your coin you have given as
*
A or H
O

But I think the second figure is an R as on the coin I am showing.

*
R
O

With an M alone in the right field.


When RIC IX was published years ago, they had not yet determined the precise purpose of those marks, but they should not be confused with the mint and officina marks. On the example I have given you the mint and officina marks are below the horizontal line the figure of Republica is standing on. This part of the coin is called the exergue.

The mint mark on this coin reads: <gamma> S I S C {Z}

The gamma is the officina number (Greek numeral 3) SISC stands for Siscia, and the final elevated Z tipping to the left was frequently added to the marks for Siscia, not sure why (my hunch is that it had to do with local pronunciation).

Just curling up into bed to fall asleep to a "The Simpson" rerun and I have seen all these wonder responses.

Yes, it would be easier with a picture but sadly I have no camera. Irbguy posted the coin I was talking about. I should really invest in some Roman literature.

I wrote all this down on an index card and I am using an old muffin tin as a coin tray to sell my wares at an upcoming street market. Thank you guys for all the help.