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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Themes & Provenance| ▸ |Numismatics| ▸ |Coded||View Options:  |  |  |   

The Roman "Secret" Codeword Coins

Some Roman antoniniani offer a unique and very interesting collecting focus - the embedded "secret" codeword series of Probus, Diocletian, and Maximian. Each of these coins was struck with the letters of a codeword "hidden" within the mintmark. Each officina (mint workshop) was assigned part of a codeword. When all the types from a codeword series are assembled in officina order, the embedded letters spell out the "secret" codeword: AEQVITI (for Probus at Rome), AEQVIT and later EQVITI (for Probus at Ticinum), IOBI (for Diocletian at Siscia), and HPKOYΛI (for Maximian at Siscia). The following articles in NumisWiki discuss these hidden codewords:

"Coins of Probus with coded markings of AEQVITI" by Chip Scoppa

"The Translation of the Codewords AEQVITI, IOBI, and HPKOY" by Gert Boersema

"EQVITI Coins of Probus" by Doug Smith

Probus, Summer 276 - September 282 A.D.; EQVITI Series II of Ticinum, V, TXXI

|Probus|, |Probus,| |Summer| |276| |-| |September| |282| |A.D.;| |EQ<u>V</u>ITI| |Series| |II| |of| |Ticinum,| |<u>V</u>,| |TXXI||antoninianus|
Ticinum mint EQVITI series II - click AEQVITI to read the NumisWiki article, "Coins of Probus with Coded Markings of EQVITI Embedded in the mint mark." The letter "V" in the reverse field is the third letter of the codeword EQVITI. The letter "T" in the exergue indicates this coin was struck by the third officina (mint workshop). The letters of the word EQVITI are coded in the mint marks of coins from all the officinae of the mint, with the specific letters of the codeword assigned to each officina in order corresponding with their officina numbers. This codeword probably refers to cavalry. It may be AEQVITI truncated because there were only six officinae in operation.
RA25952. Billon antoninianus, RIC V-2 500G, Pink VI/1 p. 55, Cohen VI 584, cf. Hunter IV 161 (star right, 282 A.D.), gem EF, weight 3.973 g, maximum diameter 23.8 mm, die axis 180o, 3rd officina, Ticinum (Pavia, Italy) mint, 9th emission, 281 A.D.; obverse VIRTVS PROBI AVG (the valor of Emperor Probus), helmeted, radiate and cuirassed bust left, spear in right over shoulder, shield on left; reverse SALVS AVG (the health of the Emperor), Salus standing right feeding snake held in arms, V left, TXXI in exergue; ex Kunker, auction 111 (18 Mar 2006), 7026; SOLD


Probus, Summer 276 - September 282 A.D.; EQVITI Series III of Ticinum - * | I VIXXI

|Probus|, |Probus,| |Summer| |276| |-| |September| |282| |A.D.;| |EQVIT<u>I</u>| |Series| |III| |of| |Ticinum| |-| |*| ||| |<u>I</u>| |VIXXI||antoninianus|
Ticinum mint EQVITI series III - click AEQVITI to read the NumisWiki article, "Coins of Probus with Coded Markings of EQVITI Embedded in the mint mark." The letter "I" in the reverse field is the sixth letter of the codeword EQVITI. The letter "VI" in the exergue indicates this coin was struck by the sixth officina (mint workshop). The letters of the word EQVITI are coded in the mint marks of coins from all the officinae of the mint, with the specific letters of the codeword assigned to each officina in order corresponding with their officina numbers. This codeword probably refers to cavalry. It may be AEQVITI truncated because there were only six officinae in operation.
RA87600. Billon antoninianus, Hunter IV 170; RIC V-2 525; Cohen VI 612, Pink p. 67, em. 10; SRCV III 12033, Choice aMS, nearly as struck, lustrous full silvering, excellent centering, bold strike, areas of light toning, weight 3.639 g, maximum diameter 24.5 mm, die axis 0o, 6th officina, Ticinum (Pavia, Italy) mint, 282 A.D.; obverse VIRTVS PROBI AVG (the valor of Emperor Probus), radiate bust left in consular robe, eagle-tipped scepter in right; reverse SECVRIT PERP (everlasting security), Securitas standing left raising right hand to head, resting left elbow on column, star left, I right, VIXXI in exergue; SOLD


Probus, Summer 276 - September 282 A.D.; EQVITI Series II of Ticinum - I VIXXI

|Probus|, |Probus,| |Summer| |276| |-| |September| |282| |A.D.;| |EQVIT<u>I</u>| |Series| |II| |of| |Ticinum| |-| |<u>I</u>| |VIXXI||antoninianus|
Ticinum mint EQVITI series II - click AEQVITI to read the NumisWiki article, "Coins of Probus with Coded Markings of EQVITI Embedded in the mint mark." The letter "I" in the reverse field is the sixth letter of the codeword EQVITI. The letter "VI" in the exergue indicates this coin was struck by the sixth officina (mint workshop). The letters of the word EQVITI are coded in the mint marks of coins from all the officinae of the mint, with the specific letters of the codeword assigned to each officina in order corresponding with their officina numbers. This codeword probably refers to cavalry. It may be AEQVITI truncated because there were only six officinae in operation.
SH26615. Billon antoninianus, Hunter IV 153, RIC V-2 526G var. (I left); Pink VI-1, p. 67, em. 8; Cohen VI 617; SRCV III 12033 var. (obv. leg., bust), Choice EF, full circles strike, weight 4.374 g, maximum diameter 23.5 mm, die axis 345o, 6th officina, Ticinum (Pavia, Italy) mint, c. 282 A.D.; obverse VIRTVS PROBI AVG (the valor of Emperor Probus), radiate, helmeted and cuirassed bust left, spear in right over shoulder, shield on left arm; reverse SECVRIT PERP (everlasting security), Securitas standing left in relaxed pose, raising right hand to head, resting left elbow on column, I right, VIXXI in exergue; SOLD


Maximian, 286 - 305, 306 - 308, and 310 A.D.; HPKOYΛI Series of Ticinum - XXIΓ•ΛI

|Maximian|, |Maximian,| |286| |-| |305,| |306| |-| |308,| |and| |310| |A.D.;| |HPKOY<u><q>L</q>I</u>| |Series| |of| |Ticinum| |-| |XXI<q>G</q>•<u><q>L</q>I</u>•||antoninianus|
Part of the coded HPKOYΛI (Hercules) series struck for Maximian.

See "The Translation of the Codewords| AEQVITI|, IOBI, and HPKOY" by Gert Boersema in NumisWiki.
RT49450. Billon antoninianus, RIC V-2 580, Cohen VI 71, Choice EF, scarce reverse type, near full silvering with a light hoard patina, weight 3.744 g, maximum diameter 22.7 mm, die axis 0o, Ticinum (Pavia, Italy) mint, obverse IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right; reverse CONSERVATOR AVGG, Maximian on left standing right holding scepter in left, Hercules on right standing left holding club in left, both sacrificing over altar between them, B right, XXIΓ•ΛI• in exergue; SOLD


Probus, Summer 276 - September 282 A.D.; EQVITI Series II of Ticinum, I, VIXXI

|Probus|, |Probus,| |Summer| |276| |-| |September| |282| |A.D.;| |EQVIT<u>I</u>| |Series| |II| |of| |Ticinum,| |<u>I</u>,| |VIXXI||antoninianus|
Securitas stands perfectly at her ease, with legs crossed, leaning on a column, clearly relaxed, having nothing to fear. Probus did much to increase security. He marched against the enemies of Rome in Gaul and Germany and left 400,000 barbarians dead in the field. The remaining barbarian tribes of the north were terrified to peace. Probus then attacked the Blemmyes near Egypt defeating them with tremendous slaughter. Knowing he was next, the king of Persia sued for peace and attempted to buy Probus' favor with splendid presents. Probus was feasting upon the most common food when the ambassadors were introduced. Without even casting his eyes upon them, he said that if their master did not give proper satisfaction to Rome, he would lay Persia as desolate and as naked as the crown of his head. As he spoke the Emperor took off his cap and showed the baldness of his head to the ambassadors. His conditions were gladly accepted by the Persian monarch.
RA04131. Billon antoninianus, RIC V-2 525H; Cohen VI 612, Pink VI-1, p. 67, em. 9; SRCV III 12033; Hunter IV 170 var. (star left, I right), gem EF+, bold, beautiful, weight 3.72 g, maximum diameter 22.5 mm, die axis 170o, Ticinum (Pavia, Italy) mint, 281 A.D.; obverse IMP C PROBVS AVG, radiate bust left in consular robe, eagle-tipped scepter in right; reverse SECVRIT PERP (everlasting security), Securitas standing left raising right hand to head and resting left elbow on column, I left, VIXXI in exergue; from the Aiello Collection; SOLD


Probus, Summer 276 - September 282 A.D.; EQVITI Series II of Ticinum, V - / TXXI

|Probus|, |Probus,| |Summer| |276| |-| |September| |282| |A.D.;| |EQ<u>V</u>ITI| |Series| |II| |of| |Ticinum,| |<u>V</u>| |-| |/| |TXXI||antoninianus|
Click EQVITI to read the NumisWiki article, "Coins of Probus with Coded Markings of EQVITI Embedded in the mint mark." The letter V in the reverse field is the third letter of the codeword EQVITI. The letter T in the exergue indicates this coin was struck by the third officina (mint workshop). The letters of the word EQVITI are coded in the mint marks of coins from all the officinae of the mint, with the specific letters of the codeword assigned to each officina in order corresponding with their officina numbers. This codeword probably refers to cavalry. It may be AEQVITI truncated because there were only six officinae in operation.
SH58232. Billon antoninianus, RIC V-2 499H, Choice aEF, excellent centering, strong obverse, silvering, scratches, weight 3.044 g, maximum diameter 22.4 mm, die axis 0o, 3rd officina, Ticinum (Pavia, Italy) mint, c. 281 A.D.; obverse IMP C PROBVS AVG, radiate and mantled bust left holding eagle-tipped scepter; reverse SALVS AVG (the health of the Emperor), Salus standing right feeding snake held in arms, V left, TXXI in exergue; SOLD


Probus, Summer 276 - September 282 A.D.; EQVITI Series II of Ticinum, I, QXXI

|Probus|, |Probus,| |Summer| |276| |-| |September| |282| |A.D.;| |EQV<u>I</u>TI| |Series| |II| |of| |Ticinum,| |<u>I</u>,| |QXXI||antoninianus|
Ticinum mint EQVITI series II - click AEQVITI to read the NumisWiki article, Coins of Probus with Coded Markings of EQVITI Embedded in the mint mark. The letter I in the reverse field is the fourth letter of the codeword EQVITI. The letter Q in the exergue indicates this coin was struck by the fourth officina (mint workshop). The letters of the word EQVITI are coded in the mint marks of coins from all the officinae of the mint, with the specific letters of the codeword assigned to each officina in order corresponding with their officina numbers. This codeword probably refers to cavalry. It may be AEQVITI truncated because there were only six officinae in operation.
RA35030. Billon antoninianus, Hunter IV 148; RIC V-2 508H; Pink VI-1, p. 67, 9/4; Cohen VI 352; SRCV III -, Choice aEF, weight 3.538 g, maximum diameter 22.2 mm, die axis 180o, 4th officina, Ticinum (Pavia, Italy) mint, 9th emission, 281 A.D.; obverse IMP C PROBVS AVG, radiate mantled bust left, eagle-tipped scepter in right; reverse MARTI PACIF (to Mars the peacemaker), Mars advancing left, holding olive-branch, shield and spear, I left, QXXI in exergue; SOLD


Probus, Summer 276 - September 282 A.D.; AEQVITI Series I of Rome, R T S

|Probus|, |Probus,| |Summer| |276| |-| |September| |282| |A.D.;| |AEQVI<u>T</u>I| |Series| |I| |of| |Rome,| |R| |<u>T</u>| |S||antoninianus|
Rome mint AEQVITI series I - click "AEQVITI" to read the NumisWiki article, "Coins of Probus with Coded Markings of AEQVITI Embedded in the mint mark." The first letter "R" indicates the Rome mint. The letter "T" in the middle of the mint mark is the sixth letter of the codeword AEQVITI. The last letter "S" indicates this coin was struck by the sixth officina (mint workshop). The letters of the word AEQVITI are coded in the mint marks of coins from all the officinae of the mint, with the specific letters of the codeword assigned to each officina in order corresponding with their officina numbers.
SL95848. Silvered antoninianus, RIC V-2 181F (S); Cohen VI 493; SRCV III 12015; Pink p. 59, series 7; Hunter IV - (p. cxxxvii), Ch XF, strike 4/5, surface 2/5, silvering, high silver content flan (5771373-002), weight 3.807 g, maximum diameter 21.1 mm, die axis 180o, 6th officina, Rome mint, 282 A.D.; obverse PROBVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right; reverse PROVIDENTIA AVG (the foresight of the Emperor), Providentia standing left, globe in right hand, scepter in left, RTS in exergue; NGC| Lookup; scarce; SOLD


Probus, Summer 276 - September 282 A.D.; EQVITI Series III of Ticinum, V | * TXXI

|Probus|, |Probus,| |Summer| |276| |-| |September| |282| |A.D.;| |EQ<u>V</u>ITI| |Series| |III| |of| |Ticinum,| |<u>V</u>| ||| |*| |TXXI||antoninianus|
Ticinum mint EQVITI series III - click AEQVITI to read the NumisWiki article, "Coins of Probus with Coded Markings of EQVITI Embedded in the mint mark." The letter "V" in the reverse field is the third letter of the codeword EQVITI. The letter "T" in the exergue indicates this coin was struck by the third officina (mint workshop). The star indicates this is from the third Ticinum series. The letters of the word EQVITI are coded in the mint marks of coins from all the officinae of the mint, with the specific letters of the codeword assigned to each officina in order corresponding with their officina numbers. This codeword probably refers to cavalry. It may be AEQVITI truncated because there were only six officinae in operation.
RA87598. Billon antoninianus, Hunter IV 161 (also third officina), RIC V-2 499; Pink VI/1, p. 67; Cohen VI 577; SRCV III -, Choice EF, well centered, much silvering, areas of porosity, bumps and marks, edge crack, weight 3.788 g, maximum diameter 22.7 mm, die axis 0o, 3rd officina, Ticinum (Pavia, Italy) mint, 282 A.D.; obverse IMP C PROBVS AVG, radiate and mantled bust left holding eagle-tipped scepter; reverse SALVS AVG (the health of the Emperor), Salus standing right feeding snake held in arms, V left, * right, TXXI in exergue; SOLD


Probus, Summer 276 - September 282 A.D.; AEQVITI Series I of Rome, RTς

|Probus|, |Probus,| |Summer| |276| |-| |September| |282| |A.D.;| |AEQVI<u>T</u>I| |Series| |I| |of| |Rome,| |R<u>T</u>&sigmaf;||antoninianus|
Rome mint AEQVITI series I - click AEQVITI to read the NumisWiki article, Coins of Probus with Coded Markings of AEQVITI Embedded in the mint mark. The first letter R indicates the Rome mint. The letter T in the middle of the mint mark is the sixth letter of the codeword AEQVITI. The last letter ς is the sixth officina number (mint workshop). The letters of the word AEQVITI are coded in the mint marks of coins from all the officinae of the mint, with the specific letters of the codeword assigned to each officina in order corresponding with their officina numbers
RA35045. Billon antoninianus, Hunter IV 65; RIC V-2 215F; Pink p. 58, series 6; Cohen VI 739; SRCV III 12052 var. (obv. leg., bust), Choice gVF, weight 4.033 g, maximum diameter 22.0 mm, die axis 180o, 6th officina, Rome mint, obverse PROBVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right; reverse VICTORIA AVG (the victory of the Emperor), Victory walking left, wreath in right hand, trophy over shoulder in right, RTς in exergue; SOLD




  




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REFERENCES

Cohen, H. Description historique des monnaies frappées sous l'Empire Romain, Vol. 6: Macrianus to Diocletian & Maximianus. (Paris, 1886).
Colombetti, L. "Cennisulla monetazione di Probo gli antoniniani delle serie (A)EQVIT(I) (zecche de Roma e Ticinvm)." in La numismatica 20, 11 (1989), pp. 339 - 340.
Dannhäuser, E. Untersuchungen zur Geschichte des Kaisers Probus (276-282). Inaugural Dissertation. (1909).
von Kolb, J. "EnträthselteSiglen auf Münzen Diocletians and Maximians" in Numismatische Zeitschrift 4 (1872), pp. 24 - 30.
von Kolb, J. "EnträthselteSiglen auf Münzen Diocletians and Maximians" in Numismatische Zeitschrift 5 (1873), pp. 116 - 121.
Mattingly, H., E. Sydenham & P. Webb. The Roman Imperial Coinage, Vol. V, Part II, Probus to Amandus. (London, 1933).
Missong, A, "Gleichartigsystemisirte Münzreihen unter Kaiser Probus" in Numismatische Zeitschrift 5 (1873), pp. 102 - 115.
Mommsen, T. 'Equitius', Zeitschrift für Numismatik, 15 (1887) pp. 251-252.
Mowat, R. "Combinaisons secrète delettres dans les marges monétaires de l 'empire Romain" in Revue Numismatique 1897, pp. 67 - 81.
Pink, K. "Der Aufbau derrömischen Münzprägung in der Kaiserzeit. VI/I, Probus" in Numismatische Zeitschrift 73 (1949), p. 13 - 74.
Robinson, A. Roman Imperial Coins in the Hunter Coin Cabinet, University of Glasgow, Vol. IV. Valerian I to Allectus. (Oxford, 1978).
Sear, D. Roman Coins and Their Values, Vol. Three, The Accession of Maximinus I to the Death of Carinus AD 235 - AD 285. (London, 2005).

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