Roman coins » Inscriptions
Other Common Titles and Inscriptions
The following table provides a list of some of the most common titles that appear on Roman coins together with an explanation of their meaning.
| Latin | English Translation | Description |
|---|---|---|
| AVG(ustus)/AVGVSTVS | - | The adopted personal name of the first emperor, later adopted as a title by his successors. |
| C(aesar)/CAES(ar)/CAESAR | - | The family name of Julius Caesar and the first dynasty of emperors the Julio-Claudians (Augustus to Nero). From AD 138 it became the title of the junior emperor(s) / Imperial heir(s). |
| CENS(or) | - | A political office of the Roman Republic held by some emperors |
| DIVVS/DIVO (masculine) DIVA (feminine) |
Divine, deified. | This is indicative that the coin was struck after the death of the named emperor or empress. (DIVVS ANTONINVS, DIVA FAVSTINA, DIVO CLAVDIO etc) |
| D(ominus) N(oster) | Our Lord | Gradually replaced Imperator as the main title of the emperor during the 4 th century AD (D N VALENS P F AVG, D N ARCADIVS P F AVG etc) |
| NOB CAES/NOB C/N C (Nobilissimus Caesar) | Most Noble Caesar | Title of junior emperor during 4 th century AD |
| P(ater) P(atriae) | Father of his Country | Honorific title first used by Augustus and by some subsequent emperors |
| PER(petuus)/PERP(etuus) | Continuous, perpetual | Qualifying another title |
| P(ius) F(elix) | Dutiful and fortunate | Part of the standard Imperial titles from the 2 nd century AD |
| P M/PON MAX/PONT MAX Pontifex Maximus | High Priest | The Pontifices were the most senior of the Priesthoods of Ancient Rome |
| S(enatus) C(onsulto) | By decree of the Senate | Appears on the reverse of all early imperial bronzes struck before the mid 3 rd century AD |
| S(enatus) P(opulus)Q(ue) R(omanus) | The Roman Senate and People | A reference to the Roman State - its main political body and its citizens. |
