The Roman Mint Of London - Coin Community Forum

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

Author	Replies: 17 / Views: 1,049	Page: of 2
Victor Pillar of the Community United States 900 Posts	Posted 01/01/2026 1:51 pm The Roman mint in London was started by a pirate. The Emperor Diocletian put Carausius in charge of clearing out the Frank and Saxon pirates pillaging the English Channel. Carausius (reigned 286- 293) defeated the pirates, but then declared himself ruler of Britain, in effect, becoming a pirate himself. Carausius struck coins in his name along with Diocletian and Maximianus in hopes that he would be formally named as a co-ruler; which did not happen. This presumptuous and ill-fated desire to be recognized is why the reverse legend ends with AVGGG- - one G for each Augustus. The Diocletian and Maximianus coins also have ML as part of the mintmark; which translates as "money from London" and XXI, which is likely a mark of value, meaning 20 parts alloy to 1 part silver. Until A.D. 294, the standard denomination in the Roman Empire was the antoninianus which, during the Tetrarchy, was circa 24mm and 4.0 grams. The coin, which featured a radiate crown on the ruler, was first introduced by Caracalla in A.D. 215. In the late 3rd century, it was issued for all the rulers of the 1st Tetrarchy --Diocletian, Maximianus, Constantius I and Galerius. Carausius A.D. 291 24mm 4.3g IMP C CARAVSIVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right PAX AVGGG; Pax stg. l., holding olive branch and transverse sceptre; S-P across fields. In ex. MLXXI RIC V London 143; RIC V.5 London 2197 Diocletian A.D. 291 21x24mm 4.4gm IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right PAX AVGGG; Pax stg. l., holding olive branch and transverse sceptre; S-P across fields. In ex. MLXXI RIC V London 9; RIC V.5 London 3546 Maximianus A.D. 291 24mm 3.8g IMP C MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right PAX AVGGG; Pax stg. l., holding olive branch and sceptre; S-P across fields. In ex. MLXXI RIC V London 34; RIC V.5 London 3607 The treasurer for Carausius was a man called Allectus (reign A.D. 293- 296). He assasinated Carausius and took over and his reign ended after he died in battle against the forces of Constantius I. Allectus A.D. 293-296 AE Quinarius 19mm 1.9g IMP C ALLECTVS P F AVG; radiate and cuirassed bust right. VIRTVS AVG; galley with five oars. In ex. QL RIC V London 55; RIC V.5 London 276 After the defeat of Allectus, the London mint was firmly in the hands of the Roman rulers. Below are coins of the tetrarchy from the Rauceby Hoard. This hoard was discovered in the UK in 2017 and totaled 3,099 coins. Two coins were radiates (before A.D. 282) and the rest were struck from A.D. 294- 307. The majority are from western mints.London (875) Trier (1459) and Lyon (468). These coins are all called folles. The radiate bust of the antoninianus has changed to a laureate bust. The follis is also much larger, with some as large as 30mm and 10 grams. The tetrarchy was the rule of four with a senior Augustus and his Caesar in the Eastern half of the Roman Empire and an Augustus and Caesar in the Western Empire. The rulers changed often, but below are the years from A.D. 296- 306 The first Tetrarchy A.D. 296- 305 Augustii-- Diocletian, Maximianus Caesars-- Constantius I, Galerius A.D. May 305- July 306 Augusti-- Constantius I, Galerius Caesars-- Severus, Maximinus II Seniors-- Diocletian, Maximianus A.D. July 306- Nov 306 Augusti-- Galerius, Severus Caesars-- Maximinus II, Constantine I Seniors-- Diocletian, Maximianus Diocletian A.D. 303 32x28mm 9.1g IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG; laureate and cuirassed bust right. GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, naked except for chlamys over left shoulder, holding patera and cornucopiae. No mintmark RIC VI London 28a; LMCC 3.01.005 Maximianus A.D. 303 30x28mm 9.0g IMP MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; laureate and cuirassed bust right. GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, right holding patera, left cornucopiae. No mintmark RIC VI London 23b; LMCC 3.01.012 Constantius I A.D. 296-303 26x27mm 9.8g FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB C; laureate and cuirassed bust right. GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, right holding patera, left cornucopiae. No mintmark RIC VI London 14a/20; LMCC 2.01.010 Galerius A.D. 303- 305 AE follis 28mm 10.2g MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES; laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, right holding patera, left cornucopiae. No mintmark RIC VI London 36; LMCC 3.01.034 Maximinus II A.D. 305- 307 AE follis 28mm 10.6g MAXIMINVS NOBILIS C; laureate and cuirassed bust right. GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, right holding patera, left cornucopiae. No mintmark RIC VI London --; LMCC 4.03.027 Not in RIC Severus II A.D. 305- 306 AE follis 28mm 8.6g SEVERVS NOBILIS C; laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, right holding patera, left cornucopiae. No mintmark RIC VI London 63a; LMCC 4.02.019 and the first coin issued for Constantine I (also from Rauceby) Constantine I A.D. 306 28mm 9.1g CONSTANTINVS NOBILI C; laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; Genius standing left, tower on head, loins draped, r. holding patera, l. cornucopiae. RIC VI London 66; LMCC 4.04.009 The two senior Emperors (Diocletian and Maximianus) abdicated; though Maximianus would eventually come back. Diocletian A.D. 305- 307 AE follis 26x28mm 9.9g D N DIOCLETIANO FELICISSIMO SEN AVG; Laureate and mantled bust r., holding olive-branch and mappa. PROVIDENTIA DEORVM QVIES AVGG; Providentia standing r., extending hand to Quies standing l., holding branch and leaning on scepter. RIC VI London 77a; LLMC 4.01.002 Maximianus A.D. 305-307 AE follis 27x28mm 9.4gm D N MAXIMIANO FELICISSIMO SEN AVG; Laureate and mantled bust r., holding olive-branch and mappa. PROVIDENTIA DEORVM QVIES AVGG; Providentia standing r., extending hand to Quies standing l., holding branch and leaning on scepter. No mintmark RIC VI London 77b; LLMC 4.01.004 Report this Post to the Staff

MetDet71 Pillar of the Community United Kingdom 1563 Posts	Posted 01/02/2026 08:12 am Very nice post and some nice examples Victor. Always enjoy the knowledge that you share, thank you. Report this Post to the Staff
scopru Pillar of the Community United States 5029 Posts	Posted 01/02/2026 08:24 am Excellent post and information. Report this Post to the Staff
livingwater Pillar of the Community United States 2213 Posts	Posted 01/02/2026 1:55 pm Great coins and info, thank you. I didn't know about the MLXXI coins. Edited by livingwater 01/02/2026 1:57 pm Report this Post to the Staff
travelcoin Pillar of the Community United States 1120 Posts	Posted 01/02/2026 6:03 pm Victor, thank you for posting and educating all of us. I recently listened to an outstanding podcast, Fall of Civilizations: Roman Britain - The Work of Giants Crumbled. The episode explores how Roman Britain rose, flourished, and then slowly unraveled. I highly recommend it. It explains how repeated bids for power by usurpers and would-be emperors steadily bled the province dry. In the end, Rome could no longer support Britain, leaving behind abandoned cities, empty forts, and ruins remembered only as the work of giants. 1whRd_c_irk 1. Clodius Albinus (c. 150-197 AD), governor of Britannia and commander of three legions, declared himself emperor after being sidelined by Septimius Severus, crossed into Gaul to fight for the throne, and was defeated and executed at the Battle of Lugdunum in 197 AD, leaving Britain militarily weakened and later divided into smaller provinces to prevent future rebellions. 2. Carausius (c. 286-293 AD), commander of the Channel Fleet, proclaimed himself emperor after accusations of corruption, ruled Britain and parts of northern Gaul as an independent breakaway state for nearly a decade, and was ultimately assassinated by his own treasurer, Allectus. 3. Allectus (293-296 AD) seized power in Britain after murdering Carausius, relied on the British army and fleet to maintain control, and was killed during the reconquest of Britain by Constantius Chlorus, restoring Roman authority at significant cost. 4. Constantine the Great (Constantine I) (306-337 AD) was proclaimed emperor by his father's troops at Eboracum (York) in 306 AD, used Britain as the launching point for his rise, defeated his rivals—including Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge—and ultimately became sole ruler of the Roman Empire. 5. Magnus Maximus (383-388 AD), a senior commander in Britain, was proclaimed emperor by his troops, removed much of Britain's field army to pursue power in Gaul and Spain, and was defeated and executed by Theodosius I, permanently weakening Britain's defenses and administration. 6. Constantine III (407-411 AD), declared emperor by Britain's remaining legions during the collapse of the Western Empire, led the last Roman army out of Britain in a final bid for power, was captured and executed, and in doing so marked the permanent end of Roman rule in Britain. Edited by travelcoin 01/02/2026 6:04 pm Report this Post to the Staff
Victor Pillar of the Community United States 900 Posts	Posted 01/02/2026 7:42 pm My main interest in the London mint is coinage of Constantine I and I currently have over 150 examples. Below are some that show what was happening during the years that Maxentius was a rival for power in the Western Roman Empire. First is a Mars reverse. Mars and Sol appeared frequently on earlier coinage of Constantine. These reverses are showing the Romans that Constantine was favored by the gods. Constantine I A.D. 307- 310 25x26mm 6.8g IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG; Laureate and cuirassed bust right. MARTI PATRI PROPVG (To Mars, the defending father); Mars, naked but for chlamys, advancing right, holding transverse spear, shield on left arm. In ex. PLN RIC VI London 108; LMCC 5.04.008 Here is a double headed coin with Sol. This type is fairly common from Trier, but exceptionally rare from London. Constantine I A.D. 311 23x24mm 4.4g IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG; laureate and cuirassed bust right SOLI INVICTO COMITI (To my companion the invincible sun god); radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Sol right. RIC VI London--; LMCC 6.04.001 (2) this coin; RML 276 corr. this ADVENTVS type was struck when Emperors entered a city. Constantine was probably in London recruiting for his campaign against Maxentius Constantine I A.D. 311- 312 AE nummus 22x23mm 4.3gm CONSTANTINVS P AVG; Laureate, helmeted, and cuirassed bust left, holding spear over shoulder and shield. ADVENTVS AVG (The arrival of our Emperor); Emperor mounted l., raising r. hand and holding spear; star in right field. in ex. PLN RIC VI London 139; LMCC 7.01.012, 2nd ed.; RML 281 this coin proclaims that Sol is a companion of Constantine and has a shield with a victory flying Constantine I Circa 310-12 AE nummus 24mm 4.7g CONSTANTINVS AG; Laureate and cuirassed bust left, holding spear and shield decorated with victory flying left holding wreath. COMITI AVGG N N (To the companion of our Emperor(s)); Sol standing left, chlamys falling from left shoulder, r. holding globe & whip in left; star in right field in ex. PLN RIC VI London --; LMCC 7.03.058; RML 370 The next types are CONCORD MILIT, which is roughly "Harmony of the soldiers" which Constantine knew was important as he was preparing to fight Maxentius. What is really special about the next three coins is each has a decorated shield. Constantine I A.D. 310-12 23mm 4.2g CONSTANTINVS P AVG; laureate helmet and cuirassed bust left with spear over right shoulder and shield decorated with three soldiers on left arm. CONCORD MILIT; Concordia standing left, holding standard in each hand; star in right field In ex. PLN RIC VI London 203; LMCC 7.04.024; RML 404 Constantine I A.D. 311-12 23mm 4.2g CONSTANTINVS AVG; helmeted (decorated with victory) and cuirassed bust left with spear over right shoulder and shield decorated with wolf and twins on left arm. CONCORD MILIT; Concordia standing left, holding standard in each hand; star in right field In ex. PLN RIC VI London 207; LMCC 7.04.031; RML 413 discovered in Sutton Veny, England Constantine I A.D. 311-12 23mm 4.0g CONSTANTINVS AG; laureate and cuirassed bust left; r. holding spear forward, shield on l. arm decorated with head of Sol. CONCORD MILIT; Concordia standing left, holding standard in each hand; star in right field In ex. PLN RIC VI London --; LMCC 7.04.036 the reverse of this coin translates as "Prince of Youth" In A.D. 306, Constantine was awarded this title by the Senate, even though he was in his mid 30's...far from a youth. He is showing the citizens that he is the proper ruler-- by virtue of being the son of Constantius I and formally recognized by the Senate. Constantine I A.D. 311- 312 23mm 4.2g CONSTANTINVS P AVG; Laureate, helmeted, and cuirassed bust left, holding spear forward and shield. PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS; Prince standing facing head left, in military dress with cloak hanging over left shoulder, holding globe in right, reversed spear in left; star in right field. In ex. PLN RIC VI London --; LMCC 7.07.028; RML 489 Constantine defeated Maxentius in late 312 and a series of coins was issued to commemorate the victory. There is a star on the reverse of many of these London issues. Prior to the defeat of Maxentius, the star is in the right field. After his defeat, the star moved to the left field. Constantine I A.D. 312- 313 23mm 5.0g CONSTANTINVS P F AVG; laureate & cuirassed bust right. FELICITAS AVGG N N (The happiness of our Emperors); Roma, helmeted, seated left, holding branch in right hand and globe in left; star in left field. In ex. PLN RIC VI London 246; LMCC 7.09.008 Constantine I A.D. 312- 313 22mm 3.6g CONSTANTINVS P F AVG; laureate & cuirassed bust right. ROMAE AETER AVGG (To the everlasting Rome of the Emperors); Roma, helmeted, seated left, holding branch in right hand and globe in left; star in left field. In ex. PLN RIC VI London 269; LMCC 7.12.002 Constantine I A.D. 312- 313 24mm 4.1g CONSTANTINVS P AVG; laureate & cuirassed bust right. ROMAE RESTITVTAE (To Rome, having been restored); Roma, helmeted, seated left, holding branch in right hand and globe in left; star in left field. In ex. PLN RIC VI London 273; LMCC 7.12.0026 Constantine I A.D. 312- 313 23x24mm 4.1gm CONSTANTINVS P F AVG; laureate and cuirassed bust right. SECVRITAS AVGG (The security of the Emperors); Securitas standing facing, head left, legs crossed, right hand on head, left arm leaning on column; star in left field. In exergue PLN RIC VI London 277; LMCC 7.13.001 Edited by Victor 01/02/2026 7:43 pm Report this Post to the Staff
tdziemia Pillar of the Community United States 7933 Posts	Posted 01/03/2026 08:49 am Great thread, outstanding coins. Not being at all familiar with coinage from this place and era, I'll ask this question that's probably obvious to others: Lacking a mint mark, how were the tetrarchy era coins attributed to London? Were there specific design elements unique to London? Or is it just disribution in hoards? Report this Post to the Staff
Victor Pillar of the Community United States 900 Posts	Posted 01/03/2026 10:05 am Style is how numismatists figured out which mint produced coins without mint marks. The first coin below is Constantius I from London and the second is Constantius I from Lyon The busts look similar; but there are differences. An easy one to spot is the bridge of the nose-- on London it has more of an arch, while Lyon is flat. Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 187475 Posts	Posted 01/03/2026 12:47 pm Fascinating history and wonderful examples! Thank you for sharing. Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
tdziemia Pillar of the Community United States 7933 Posts	Posted 01/04/2026 07:31 am Quote: Style is how numismatists figured out which mint produced coins without mint marks. Reason I asked is that the Kingdom of Sicily used two mints in the time of the Hohenstaufen rulers (1194-1268): Messina and Brindisi. A few of the types have the mints indicated by AP (or similar) for Apulia (Brindisi) but most have no mint mark. Earlier catalogers assigned best guesses based on style, but the authors of Medieval European Coinage analyzed prevalence in hoards and reversed some of those earlier attibutions when the evidence seemed clear cut (no pun intended). Report this Post to the Staff
Victor Pillar of the Community United States 900 Posts	Posted 01/04/2026 2:27 pm The London mint closed in A.D. 325 as Constantine's interests shifted East. Here are some assorted reverse types for Constantine I from the last decade of the Roman mint in London. Constantine I A.D. 314- 315 21mm 3.7g IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG; laureate and cuirassed bust right. GENIO POP ROM; Genius standing left, tower on head, loins draped, r. holding patera, l. cornucopiae; across fields S-P In ex. MSL RIC VII London--; LMCC 8.07.001; RML 693 Constantine I A.D. 314-315 20x23mm 3.2g CONSTANTINVS P F AVG; laureate and trabeated bust left. SOLI INVICTO COMITI; Sol rad., stg. L., raising r. hand, globe in l., chlamys across l. shoulder, across fields S-P. in ex. MSL RIC VII London 73 correction; LMCC 8.07.015 (this coin) RIC lists this coin as cuirassed, when it is actually trabeate. redated to 315 because Constantine celebrated his 4th consulship that year; which is why this issue is trabeate. Constantine I A.D. 314- 315 21mm 4.0g CONSTANTINVS P AVG; laureate and trabeate bust left. SOLI INVICTO COMITI; Sol standing left in spread quadriga, raising right hand, globe and whip in left; S/P across fields. In ex. MSL RIC VII London 81/84 corr.; LMCC 8.07.030 Constantine I A.D. 317- 318 18mm 3.4g IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG; laureate and cuirassed bust right. PRINCIPIA I-VVENTTVTIS; Constantine in military dress standing right, head right, cloak spread, reversed spear in right and left resting on shield; crescent in left field. In ex. PLN RIC VII London --; LMCC 8.11.013 should come after RIC VII London 132...Reportedly ex Bourton-on-the-Water Hoard. Constantine I A.D. 319 18mm 2.2g IMP CONSTANTINVS P AVG; radiate and trabeate bust left; raising right hand, left holding globe. VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP; two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR on altar with star in wreath. In ex. PLN RIC VII London --; LMCC 9.01.019 Constantine I A.D. 320 19mm 3.3g CONSTANTINVS AG; Helmeted and cuirassed bust right. VIRTVS EXERCIT; Standard inscribed VOT/XX with captive seated on ground on either side. in ex. PLN RIC VII London 193; LMCC 9.02.003 Constantine I A.D. 320- 321 18mm 3.4g CONSTANTI-NVS AVG; radiate and trabeated bust left, holding eagle-tipped sceptre in right hand. BEATA TRAN-QVILLITAS; globe set on altar inscribed VOT/IS/XX; above, three stars; P-A across fields. in ex. PLON RIC VII London 207; LMCC 9.04.008 Constantine I A.D. 323-4 19x20mm 3.5g CONSTANTINVS AVG; laureate head right. SARMATIA DEVICTA; Victory advancing r., holding trophy, palm branch, spurning captive std. on ground to right. In ex. PLON crescent RIC VII London 289; LMCC 10.01.002 Constantine I A.D. 324-5 19x21mm 3.3g CONSTAN-TINVS AG; Laureate head right. PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG; camp gate with two turrets and star between them, • in bottom of doorway. in ex. PLON dot RIC VII London 294 variation; LMCC 10.02.002 (this coin cited and illustrated) Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 187475 Posts	Posted 01/05/2026 09:10 am Thank you for sharing more examples! Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
livingwater Pillar of the Community United States 2213 Posts	Posted 01/07/2026 5:45 pm I really like the Sol in quadriga Edited by livingwater 01/07/2026 5:45 pm Report this Post to the Staff
Victor Pillar of the Community United States 900 Posts	Posted 01/08/2026 08:58 am Quote: I really like the Sol in quadriga It's definitely in my top 10 London coins Report this Post to the Staff
circusmax120 Valued Member United States 319 Posts	Posted 01/09/2026 7:18 pm Splendid post, Victor! All of it new(s) to me. Many thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience! Here is a very nice Maximian from my collection. Report this Post to the Staff
scopru Pillar of the Community United States 5029 Posts	Posted 01/10/2026 08:27 am Beautiful example circus. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 17 / Views: 1,049	Page: of 2

Last 15 Replies

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

All Forums Category: World Coins and Currency Forums Forum: Ancient, Greek, Roman, and Medieval Coins

The First Dollar, your premier source for bullion and rare coins. See our bullion list on the site and the coin inventory on ebay.

Silver Gold Bull US is the United States leading bullion dealer. We deliver gold coins, gold bars, silver coins, silver bars and precious metals to your door. Order today!

View Last 100 New Topics

View Last 100 Active Topics

Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Coin Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Family- all rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Coin Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited.
Contact Us | Advertise Here | Privacy Policy / Terms of Use

Coin Community Forum

It took 0.5 seconds to rattle this change.