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----------     Interesting Things About Ancient Coins     ----------

Barbarians, Soldiers, Huts and Trees

There is a well-known Roman coin type that shows a soldier, possibly meant to be the Emperor or a personification of valour, guiding or dragging a barbarian from a hut beneath a tree. The barbarian is docile and does what the large, well-armoured Roman with the big spear wants him to do.

These coins belong to a series which all have the same reverse legend, FEL TEMP REPARATIO, which I have seen translated as anything from "Happy Days are Here Again" to "A Lucky Time to Recruit."

Thirteen mints produced these coins for about two years, 348-350. They were struck for the emperors Constans and Constantius II. Although the basic description stays the same, each Imperial mint produced trees which were unique to them. This is well known. In fact, I have read that you can identify the mint by looking at the tree. But this isn't completely true, and there are a lot of other interesting details, some of which are analysed on the next page.

Here is a gallery of hut coins organised by mint and RIC type. My thanks to Dane Helvetica for the RIC lists I started with and the help in sorting out which type was which, from which I learned a lot. Of course I still ended up with my own copy of RIC VIII .. and a knowledge of just how many varieties I don't have! RIC lists 246 varieties. I have less than half of that number, and that includes several that aren't documented in RIC. The only mint for which I have all listed varieties is Thessalonica, with a meagre 8 listed types! But I do also have one unlisted variety.

The RIC list for each mint is shown below, with links to such coins as I have. If the link is active, it will take you to my coin. If it's not active, I don't have one. You can also click on any coin image to see the complete coin.

Click here for an analysis of hut coins There are now 264 hut coins in my collection or that have passed through my hands, broken down like this:

Listed in RIC VIII: 128 types and 115 duplicates.
Unlisted officinas, bust types, mintmarks and other features: 21.
Only one of each type is displayed on line.

Some of the unlisted types might simply be errors, but not all of them. So, based on this sample, from this period, a good proportion of those that you might collect won't have been documented. That's a lot of knowledge still to be gained even before you consider the many lesser features of these coins that haven't been analysed.

 
Alexandria (Egypt)
Alexandria mint Alexandria mint Alexandria 58 ALEA
Alexandria 58 ALEB
Alexandria 58 ALEΓ
Alexandria 59 ALEA
Alexandria 59 ALEB
Alexandria 59 ALEΓ
Alexandria 60 ALEA
Alexandria 60 ALEB
Alexandria 60 ALEΓ
Alexandria 61 ALEA
Alexandria 61 ALEB
Alexandria 61 ALEΓ
Alexandria 66 ALEA
Alexandria 66 ALEB
Alexandria 66 ALEΓ
Alexandria 67 ALEA
Alexandria 67 ALEB
Alexandria 67 ALEΓ
Alexandria 67 ALEΔ
Alexandria 68 ALEB
Alexandria 68 ALEΓ
Alexandria 68 ALEΔ
RIC VIII Alexandria 60 ALEA RIC VIII Alexandria 66 ALEB var
Diadem type: Pearl, or laurel and rosette.
Legend break: REPA - RATIO
Spear position: The spear point is downwards, between the soldier's legs.
Tree types: Two very different types, as illustrated. The right hand illustration is the more common type and looks like a fig.
Typical hut: Simple construction, diagonal or horizontal crosspieces, short hooked overhang, pointed end.
Typical small figure: Robed, left hand not shown, upright, looks upwards.
Type:12a2b3a3b3c4a4b
No. of coins: 10     1 1      
Average Weight: RIC VIII says: 4.50g. My coins: 4.06g. (12 coins)
Comments: The right hand coin shown here has a circle in the upper field, which I now think is an ancient attempt to start boring a hole rather than an integral feature of the coin.
Officina 4 for type 68, Alexandria 68 ALEΔ, is not listed in RIC, but has been reported to exist. I don't have one.
 
Antioch (Antakya, Turkey)
Antioch mint Antioch mint Antioch 126 ANA
Antioch 126 ANB
Antioch 126 ANΓ
Antioch 126 ANΔ
Antioch 126 ANЄ (unlisted officina)
Antioch 126 ANS
Antioch 128 ANB
Antioch 128 ANΓ
Antioch 128 ANΔ
Antioch 128 ANЄ
Antioch 128 ANS
Antioch 128 ANΘ
Antioch 128 ANI
RIC VIII Antioch 126 ANB RIC VIII Antioch 128 ANΔ
Diadem type: Pearl.
Legend break: REPA - RATIO
Spear position: The spear point is downwards, between the soldier's legs.
Tree type: One type. The trees on these coins look more like giant sprays of millet.
Typical hut: Simple construction, twinned diagonal crosspieces, clearly defined entrance, short overhang or none, rounded end.
Typical small figure: Robed, left hand held to mouth or face, upright, looks upwards. Those which appear to show no left hand might just be worn or obscured by corrosion and patina.
Type:12a2b3a3b3c4a4b
No. of coins: 4     8 5      
Average Weight: RIC VIII says: 4.50g. My coins: 4.13g. (16 coins)
 
Aquileia (Near Trieste, Italy)
Aquileia mint Aquileia mint Aquileia 100 AQS
Aquileia 101 AQS
Aquileia 102 AQP
Aquileia 102 AQS
Aquileia 102 AQT
Aquileia 103 AQP
Aquileia 103 AQS
Aquileia 103 AQT
Aquileia 104 AQT
Aquileia 105 AQP
Aquileia 105 AQS
Aquileia 105 AQT
Aquileia 106 AQP (unlisted officina)
Aquileia 106 AQT
Aquileia 121 AQP
Aquileia 121 AQS
Aquileia 121 AQT
RIC VIII Aquileia 106 AQT RIC VIII Aquileia 103 AQP
Diadem type: Pearl.
Legend break: REPAR - ATIO
Spear position: Pointing upwards and to the right, or downwards and left of the soldier's legs.
Tree type: A very distinctive tree, very consistent for this mint, with long spear-head shaped leaves with a distinct spinal ridge.
Typical hut: Complex construction, long overhang, diagonal texture, roof distinct from body.
Typical small figure: Wears tunic, left hand held to mouth or face, stooped, looks downwards. Those which appear to show no left hand might just be worn or obscured by corrosion and patina.
Type:12a2b3a3b3c4a4b
No. of coins: 4     4 10      
Average Weight: RIC VIII says: 4.50g. My coins: 3.65g. (18 coins)
 
Arelate (Arles, France)
Arelate mint Arelate mint Arles 104 PARL
Arles 105 PARL
Arles 106 PARL
Arles 106 PARL (unlisted bust type)
Arles 106 SARL
Arles 107 SARL
Arles 108 PARL
RIC VIII Arles 104 PARL RIC VIII Arles 106 SARL
Diadem type: Pearl or laurel.
Legend break: REPAR - ATIO
Spear position: The spear point is upwards and to the right, or down and to the left of the soldier.
Tree type: One type with variations, as illustrated.
Typical hut: Complex construction, long overhang, diagonal or blocky texture, roof distinct from body.
Typical small figure: Wears tunic, left hand not shown or in front of face, upright, looks forwards.
Type:12a2b3a3b3c4a4b
No. of coins: 5       3   2  
Average Weight: RIC VIII says: 4.25g. My coins: 3.77g. (10 coins)
 
Constantinopolis (Istanbul, Turkey)
Constantinople mint Constantinople mint Constantinople 85 CONSIA
Constantinople 86 CONSA
Constantinople 86 CONSB (unlisted officina)
Constantinople 86 CONSΓ
Constantinople 86 CONSΔ
Constantinople 86 CONSЄ
Constantinople 86 CONSS
Constantinople 86 CONSH
Constantinople 86 CONSI
Constantinople 86 CONSIA
Constantinople 88 CONSA*
Constantinople 88 CONSB*
Constantinople 88 CONSΓ*
Constantinople 88 CONSΔ*
Constantinople 88 CONSЄ*
Constantinople 88 CONSS*
Constantinople 88 CONSI*
Constantinople 88 CONSIA*
Constantinople 91 CONSΓ*
Constantinople 91 CONSI*
Constantinople 92 CONSΓ*
Constantinople 92 CONSЄ*
Constantinople 92 CONSS*
Constantinople 92 CONSI*
Constantinople 92 CONSIA*
RIC VIII Constantinople 92 CONSΓ* RIC VIII Constantinople 88 CONSЄ*
Diadem type: Pearl.
Legend break: REPA - RATIO
Spear position: The spear point is downwards, between the soldier's legs.
Tree type: One type, as illustrated.
Typical hut: Simple construction, little or no overhang, one horizontal crosspiece, pointed end.
Typical small figure: Wears tunic and leggings with horizontal stripes, left hand not shown, hair radiates from head, upright, looks upwards.
Type:12a2b3a3b3c4a4b
No. of coins: 28              
Average Weight: RIC VIII says: 4.50g. My coins: 4.11g. (28 coins)
 
Cyzicus (ruins visible at Bal-kiz, Turkey)
Cyzicus mint Cyzicus mint Cyzicus 72 SMKA
Cyzicus 72 SMKB
Cyzicus 72 SMKΓ
Cyzicus 72 SMKΔ
Cyzicus 72 SMKЄ
Cyzicus 72 SMKS
(Unlisted) SMKN
Cyzicus 73 SMKA (unlisted officina)
Cyzicus 73 SMKB
Cyzicus 73 SMKΓ
Cyzicus 74 SMKΔ
Cyzicus 77 *SMKA
Cyzicus 77 *SMKΓ
Cyzicus 77 *SMKΓ (unlisted bust type)
Cyzicus 77 *SMKΔ
Cyzicus 77 *SMKS
Cyzicus 78 *SMKΔ
Cyzicus 79 *SMKA
Cyzicus 79 *SMKB
Cyzicus 79 *SMKΓ
Cyzicus 79 *SMKΔ
Cyzicus 79 *SMKЄ
Cyzicus 79 *SMKS
Cyzicus 81 SMKA
Cyzicus 81 SMKΔ
Cyzicus 81 SMKЄ
Cyzicus 81 SMKS
Cyzicus 82 SMKΔ
Cyzicus 82 SMKЄ
Cyzicus 85 SMKA
Cyzicus 85 SMKB
Cyzicus 85 SMKΓ
Cyzicus 85 SMKΔ
Cyzicus 85 SMKЄ
Cyzicus 85 SMKS
Cyzicus 86 SMKA
Cyzicus 86 SMKB
Cyzicus 86 SMKΓ
Cyzicus 86 SMKЄ
Cyzicus 86 SMKS
Cyzicus 87 SMKS
RIC VIII Cyzicus 86 SMKA RIC VIII Cyzicus 72 SMKΔ
Diadem type: Pearl, or (rarely, not listed in RIC VIII) rosette.
Legend break: REP - ARATIO or REPA - RATIO
Spear position: The spear point is downwards, between the soldier's legs.
Tree type: Two distinct types, as illustrated. Intermediate forms exist.
Typical hut: Simple construction, curved overhang, horizontal or diagonal crosspieces, pointed end, often attached to the tree.
Typical small figure: Wears unbelted tunic with vertical stripes and leggings with horizontal stripes, left hand in front of mouth, hair radiates from head, upright, looks forwards.
Type:12a2b3a3b3c4a4b
No. of coins: 7       25   6  
Average Weight: RIC VIII says: 4.50g. My coins: 4.11g. (38 coins)
Comments: Some of these coins show the soldier with a full cloak, which is unusual.
 
Heraclea Thracica (Eski Eregli, Turkey)
Heraclea mint Heraclea mint Heraclea 64 SMH
Heraclea 70 SMHΔ
Heraclea 71 SMHA
Heraclea 71 SMHΓ
Heraclea 71 SMHΔ
Heraclea 71 SMHЄ
(unlisted) SMHΔ
Heraclea 73 SMHΔ
Heraclea 74 SMHA
Heraclea 74 SMHΓ
Heraclea 74 SMHΔ
Heraclea 74 SMHΔ variety
Heraclea 74 SMHЄ
Heraclea 76 MHΔ
Heraclea 76 MHЄ
Heraclea 77 MHΔ
Heraclea 77 MHЄ
Heraclea 78 SMHΔ*
RIC VIII Heraclea 74 SMHA RIC VIII Heraclea 64 SMH
Diadem type: Pearl.
Legend break: REPA - RATIO
Spear position: The spear point is downwards, between the soldier's legs.
Tree type: Two distinct types, as illustrated. Both are common.
Typical hut: Simple construction, wavy verticals, small curved overhang, one horizontal crosspiece, pointed end.
Typical small figure: Wears belted tunic with vertical stripes and leggings with horizontal stripes, left hand not shown or holding something between self and soldier, hair radiates from head, upright, looks upwards.
Type:12a2b3a3b3c4a4b
No. of coins: 13     2 8     8
Average Weight: RIC VIII says: 4.50g. My coins: 4.02g. (31 coins)
Comments: RIC VIII notes a coin of type 71 from the Sydenham hoard on which the figure appears to be carrying a bow. The type 64 coin shown here matches that description.
 
Lugdunum (Lyons, France)
Lyons mint Lyons mint Lyons 84 PLG
Lyons 84 SLG
Lyons 85 PLG
Lyons 85 SLG
Lyons 86 *PLG
Lyons 86 *SLG
Lyons 87 *PLG
Lyons 87 *SLG
Lyons 88 *PLG
Lyons 88 *SLG
Lyons 89 PLG
RIC VIII Lyons 84 PLG RIC VIII Lyons 88 *PLG
Diadem type: Pearl or rosette.
Legend break: REPAR - ATIO
Spear position: The spear point is upwards and to the right.
Tree type: Two types, as illustrated. The left hand one is more common.
Typical hut: Complex construction, long overhang diagonal texture, roof distinct from body.
Typical small figure: Wears tunic, left hand not shown, upright, looks upwards.
Type:12a2b3a3b3c4a4b
No. of coins: 10            
Average Weight: RIC VIII says: 4.25g. My coins: 3.69g. (10 coins)
 
Nicomedia (Izmit, Turkey)
Nicomedia mint Nicomedia mint Nicomedia 69 SMNB
Nicomedia 70 SMNA
Nicomedia 70 SMNB
Nicomedia 70 SMNΓ
Nicomedia 70 SMNΔ
Nicomedia 72 SMNA
Nicomedia 72 SMNB
Nicomedia 72 SMNΔ
RIC VIII Nicomedia 70 SMNB RIC VIII Nicomedia 72 SMNA
Diadem type: Pearl.
Legend break: REPA - RATIO
Spear position: The spear point is downwards, between the soldier's legs.
Tree type: One consistent type, rather like an ash tree, with slight variations as shown.
Typical hut: Simple construction, one horizontal crosspiece, curved overhang, pointed end.
Typical small figure: Wears unbelted tunic with vertical stripes and leggings with horizontal stripes, hair radiates from head, left hand not shown, or sometimes, held by left hand and right hand empty; upright, looks forwards.
Type:12a2b3a3b3c4a4b
No. of coins: 10   3          
Average Weight: RIC VIII says: 4.50g. My coins: 4.09g. (13 coins) (One slabbed, so unweighable)
 
Rome (Italy)
Rome mint Rome mint Rome 137 RQ (dots)
Rome 137 RQ (no dots)
Rome 138 RQ (dots)
Rome 138 RQ (no dots)
Rome 138 RЄ (dots)
Rome 138 RЄ (no dots)
Rome 139 R*P (dots)
Rome 139 R*P (no dots)
Rome 139 R*T (dots)
Rome 139 R*T (no dots)
Rome 139 R*Q (dots)
Rome 139 R*Q (no dots)
Rome 139 R*Є (dots)
Rome 139 R*Є (no dots)
Rome 139 R*S (dots)
Rome 139 R*S (no dots)
Rome 140 R*P (dots)
Rome 140 R*P (no dots)
Rome 140 R*B (dots)
Rome 140 R*B (no dots)
Rome 140 R*T (dots)
Rome 140 R*T (no dots)
Rome 140 R*Q (dots)
Rome 140 R*Q (no dots)
Rome 140 R*Є (dots)
Rome 140 R*Є (no dots)
Rome 140 R*S (dots)
Rome 140 R*S (no dots)
Rome 156 RP
Rome 156 RB
Rome 156 RT
Rome 156 RЄ
Rome 156 RS
Rome 157 RB
Rome 157 RT
Rome 157 RQ
Rome 157 RЄ
Rome 157 RS
Rome 158 RP
Rome 158 RT
Rome 158 RЄ
Rome 158 RS
Rome 159 RP
Rome 159 RB
Rome 159 RT
Rome 159 RQ
Rome 159 RЄ
Rome 159 RS
Rome 160 R*S
Rome 161 R*S
RIC VIII Rome 140 R*S RIC VIII Rome 140 R*T
Diadem type: Pearl, or laurel and rosette.
Legend break: REPA - RATIO or, if the N denomination mark is present, REPARAT - I - O
Spear position: The spear point is downwards, between the soldier's legs.
Tree type: One type, as shown, with minor variations in detail.
Typical hut: Simple construction, one horizontal crosspiece, curved overhang, pointed end, sometimes a sloping element or an angled projection at the top.
Typical small figure: Wears belted tunic, sometimes carrying something OR left hand in front of face (hard to tell), upright, looks forwards.
Type:12a2b3a3b3c4a4b
No. of coins: 3     3 9   7  
Average Weight: RIC VIII says: 4.50g. My coins: 4.18g. (23 coins)
Comments: The listings for types 137, 138, 139 and 140 are doubled up because RIC VIII says that the dots between the words "FELTEMPREPARATIO" are sometimes there, sometimes not.
 
Siscia (Sisak, Croatia)
Siscia mint Siscia mint Siscia 212 ASIS(s1)
Siscia 212 ΔSIS(s4)
(unlisted) ΔSIS(s4)
(unlisted) ASIS(s1)
Siscia 213 BSIS(s2)
(unlisted) BSIS(s2)
Siscia 214 ΔSIS(s4)
(unlisted) ASIS(s4)
(unlisted) ЄSIS(s4)
Siscia 215 BSIS(s2)M
Siscia 215 BSIS(s2)M (unlisted bust type)
Siscia 215 ΔSIS(s4)M (unlisted officina)
Siscia 216 BSIS(s2)M
Siscia 216 ΔSIS(s4)M
Siscia 216 ΔSIS(s4)M (unlisted legend break)
Siscia 217 BSIS(s2)M
Siscia 217 ΔSIS(s4)M
Siscia 218 BSIS(s2)M
Siscia 218 ΔSIS(s4)M
Siscia 219 ASISR
Siscia 219 BSISM
Siscia 219 ΓSISR
Siscia 219 ΔSISM
Siscia 219 ЄSISR
Siscia 220 ΔSISM
(unlisted) ΓSISR
Siscia 221 ЄSISR
Siscia 222 ASISR
Siscia 222 ΓSISR
Siscia 222 ЄSISR
(unlisted spear position) ASISR
(unlisted spear position) ΓSISR
(unlisted spear position) ΓSISR
RIC VIII (unlisted) ЄSIS (s4) RIC VIII Siscia 218 BSIS(s2)M
Siscia mint symbols Diadem type: Pearl, or (rarely, not listed in RIC VIII) laurel and rosette.
Legend break: REPA - RATIO or (rarely, not listed in RIC VIII) REPAR - ATIO
Spear position: Pointing upwards and to the right, downwards and between the soldier's legs, or (rarely, not listed in RIC VIII) downwards and to the left of the soldier.
Tree type: Two distinct types, both common. The right-hand illustration is a type that does not vary. The left-hand illustration is a more variable type; the other end of its range is shown here.
Typical hut: Complex construction, long overhang, diagonal texture, roof distinct from body. Coins with simple construction huts, and other hut variations, exist.
Typical small figure: Wears belted tunic, left hand not shown or in front of face, upright, looks forwards.
Type:12a2b3a3b3c4a4b
No. of coins: 10     5 11      
Average Weight: RIC VIII says: 4.50g. My coins: 3.98g. (27 coins)
Comments: The symbols are supposed to belong exclusively to their own officina, and they usually do, but by no means always.
 
Thessalonica (Thessaloniki, Greece)
Thessalonica mint Thessalonica mint Thessalonica 117 TESA
Thessalonica 117 TESΓ (unlisted officina)
Thessalonica 117 TESΔ
Thessalonica 117 TESЄ
Thessalonica 118 TESA
Thessalonica 118 TESB
Thessalonica 118 TESΓ
Thessalonica 118 TESΔ
Thessalonica 118 TESЄ
RIC VIII Thessalonica 117 TESΓ RIC VIII Thessalonica 117 TESЄ
Diadem type: Pearl.
Legend break: REPAR - ATIO
Spear position: The spear points downwards and to the left of the soldier.
Tree type: One basic type with some variation. The illustrations show both ends of the range of variation – there are many intermediate forms.
Typical hut: Complex construction, long overhang, diagonal texture, roof distinct from body.
Typical small figure: Wears belted tunic, left hand touching or in front of face, stooped, looks forwards.
Type:12a2b3a3b3c4a4b
No. of coins: 6     15 4      
Average Weight: RIC VIII says: 4.50g. My coins: 4.11g. (25 coins)
 
Treveri (Trier, Germany)
Trier mint Trier mint Trier 220 TRP
Trier 221 TRP
Trier 221 TRS
Trier 222 TRP
Trier 222 TRS
Trier 223 TRP
Trier 223 TRS
Trier 224 TRS
Trier 225 TRP
Trier 225 TRS
RIC VIII Trier 221 TRP RIC VIII Trier 221 TRS
Diadem type: Pearl or rosette.
Legend break: REPAR - ATIO
Spear position: The spear points downwards between the soldier's legs, or to the left of the soldier.
Tree type: Two very different types. The left hand one illustrated is rare. It's possible that this might actually be a barbarous imitation.
Typical hut: Complex construction, base is partly behind the tree, long overhang, diagonal texture, roof distinct from body.
Typical small figure: Wears belted tunic, left hand not shown or open at waist level, stooped, looks forwards.
Type:12a2b3a3b3c4a4b
No. of coins: 2 8     2 1    
Average Weight: RIC VIII says: 4.25g. My coins: 3.63g. (13 coins)

Total count of the types of the small figure:

Type:12a2b3a3b3c4a4b
No. of coins: 109 8 3 38 74 1 15 8

Most of these coins are common. Really nice examples can cost a bit, as is true of all bronze coins. But nearly all of the coins on this page were quite inexpensive and easy to collect, requiring only time and patience. Please see the next page for more analysis of hut coins.

--------------------------------- Workshop Numbers ---------------------------------

The officina (workshop) numbers translate as follows – please see the "hut coin analysis" page for a more detailed breakdown:

 1234 5678 91011
Aquileia, Arelate, Lugdunum, Treveri PST Q             
Rome PBT QЄ S          
Others ABΓ ΔЄS  HΘ IIA

Thessalonica mintmark showing an Epsilon and a capital E Constantinopolis mintmark showing a Digamma and a capital S The greek Epsilon Є is clearly distinguishable from the straight-backed Roman E, as shown in the mintmark from Thessalonica on the left. The archaic character Digamma for officina 6 is, on these coins, almost indistinguishable from an upper case S, as seen in the mintmark from Constantinople on the right, and it is represented by one on this page. (It does look different on many other coin types.)

--------------------------------- Key To References ---------------------------------

The references by each mint are from Volume VIII of The Roman Imperial Coinage by J P C Kent. It is generally referred to as RIC VIII. I also had a lot of help matching up these coins from Dane "Helvetica" Kurth, whose excellent page on Fallen Horsemen is here: [Helvetica's Fallen Horseman page], and whose tables of RIC references are here: [Helvetica's RIC lists].

An improved hut coin spreadsheet is downloadable here. This sheet is a minor modification of Dane's, and could not have been prepared without her invaluable original work and generous help. Dane's sheets cover many, many types of coin: this one covers only the hut coins.

My other reference book for these coins and many others is "Late Roman Bronze Coinage" (LRBC) by R A G Carson, P V Hill and J P C Kent, published by Sanford J Durst Numismatic Publications, Rockville Centre, NY.


The content of this page was last updated on 23 January 2013

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