Roman coins » Coin reverses
Common reverse types of the 4th century AD.
Copper alloy coins of the 4th century AD (nummi) are some of the most common Roman coins found in this country. Unlike earlier coins it is often difficult to identify the emperor if the name has become worn away because the portrait changes little from one emperor to the next. For this reason it is best to identify these coins by their reverse type. Throughout the whole of the 4th century there are only about 20 or 30 principal reverse types, and these can normally be accurately dated.
In each of the date periods listed below, the most common reverses are shown together with a list of the possible emperors shown on the obverse.
AD 295-307
The reverse inscription:
GENIO POPVLI ROMANI - 'To the spirit of the Roman People'
Possible obverses: Diocletian, Maximian I, Constantius I, Galerius, Galeria Valeria, Severus II, Maximinus II, Maxentius, Constantine I
AD 307-318
The reverse inscriptions: GENIO POP ROM - 'To the spirit of the Roman People'
SOLI INVICTO COMITI - 'To the unconquered Sol, companion (of the emperor)'
MARTI CONSERVATORI - 'To Mars the Protector'
Possible obverses: Maximian I, Galerius, Galeria Valeria, Maximinus II, Maxentius, Constantine I, Licinius I
AD 318-324 Set 1 | Set 2
The reverse inscriptions: VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP - 'The joyful victories of the everlasting leaders'
VIRTVS EXERCIT - 'The virtue of the army'
BEATA TRANQVILLITAS - 'Blessed tranquillity'
SARMATIA DEVICTA - ' Sarmatia conquered'
VOT X MVLT XX (or other numbers) - This formula celebrates the completion of (in this case) the emperor's first 10 years and anticipates the next 10
Possible obverses: Constantine I, Constantine II, Crispus, Licinius I, Licinius II
AD 324-330
The reverse inscriptions: PROVIDENTIAE CAESS - 'The foresight of the emperors'
VIRTVS AVGG - 'The virtue of the emperors'
SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE - 'The security of the State'
SALVS REIPVBLICAE - 'The wellbeing of the State'
Possible obverses: Constantine I, Constantine II, Constantius II, Crispus, Helena, Fausta
AD 330-335
The reverse inscriptions: GLORIA EXERCITVS - 'The glory of the army'
Possible obverses: Constantine I, Constantine II, Constantius II, Constans and the commemorative types: Constantinopolis (with Victory on prow reverse), Urbs Roma (with Wolf and twins reverse)
AD 335-341
The reverse inscriptions: GLORIA EXERCITVS - 'The glory of the army'
Possible obverses: Constantine I, Constantine II, Constantius II, Constans, Delmatius
AD 337-341
The reverse inscriptions: PAX PVBLICA - 'Public peace'
PIETAS ROMANA - 'Roman piety'
Possible obverses: Helena, Theodora
AD 343-348
The reverse inscription: VICTORIAE DD AVGG Q NN - 'The victories of our lords the emperors'
Possible obverses: Constantius II, Constans
AD
348-350
The reverse inscription: FEL TEMP REPARATIO - 'Happy times restored'
Possible obverses: Constantius II, Constans
AD 350-353
The reverse inscriptions: FELICITAS REIPVBLICE - 'The prosperity of the State'
GLORIA ROMANORVM - 'The glory of the Romans'
VICTORIAE DD NN AVG ET CAE - 'The victories of our lords, Augustus and Caesar'
SALVS DD NN AVG ET CAES - 'The wellbeing of our lords, Augustus and Caesar'
Possible obverses: Magnentius, Decentius, Constantius II, Constantius Gallus
AD 353-361
The reverse inscription: FEL TEMP REPARATIO - 'Happy times restored'
Possible obverses: Constantius II, Constantius Gallus, Julian
AD 361-363
The reverse inscriptions: VOT X MVLT XX (or other numbers) - This formula celebrates the completion of (in this case) the emperor's first 10 years and anticipates the next ten
Possible obverses: Julian, Jovian
AD 364-378
The reverse inscriptions: GLORIA ROMANORVM - 'The glory of the Romans'
GLORIA NOVI SAECVLI - 'The glory of the New Age'
SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE - 'The security of the State'
Possible obverses: Valentinian, Valens, Gratian, Valentinian II
AD 387-388
The reverse inscription: SPES ROMANORVM - 'The hope of the Romans'
Possible obverses: Magnus Maximus, Flavius Victor
AD 388-402
The reverse inscriptions: VICTORIA AVGGG - 'The victory of the emperors'
SALVS REIPVBLICAE - 'The wellbeing of the State'
Possible obverses: Valentinian II, Theodosius I, Eugenius, Arcadius, Honorius
