The Carthage aes nummi of the first tetrarchy more

STUDIA NUMISMATICA LABACENSIA alexandro jelocnik oblata Ediderunt Peter Kos - 2eljko Demo LJUBLJANA 1988 99 The Carthage aes nummi of the first tetrarchy Peter Kos The first rough classification of the eight Carthage aes nummi issues of the first tetrarchy with their unique and specific reverse types' was proposed by Vocttcr in 1893.2 Since then the aes coinage of the mint of Carthage has been studied in detail and elaborated on the basis of some new criteria by Elmer and Sutherland.1 A suggested relative sequence of nummi issues of the first tetrarchy will be presented here only schematically. The mint began striking the initial issue of the aes nummi with the reverse legend FELIX ADVENT AVGG NN (standing Africa) and the mint-mark PKP-T in three officinae, the first and the second being reserved exclusively for Diocletian and Maximian respectively (with a long obverse legend IMP C ... PF AVG), and the third operating both for Constantius and Galerius. The following issue, introducing shorter obverse legends for both Augusti (IMP ... P F AVG) but retaining the same reverse type and legend, extended its operation to four officinae (PKP-O), the third and the fourth being divided between Constantius and Galerius respectively. The third issue with the same obverse legends and reverse type and legend is characterized by the introduction of additional A-AJ mint-marks in Greek lettering in the field jn the fourth issue the Greek letters were replaced by the Jovian initial for Diocletian and Galerius and the Hcr- culian for Maximian and Constantius respectively (p^p q)- The on'v change in the following fifth issue is the use of Greek numbering for the officinae ^—j- - , In the sixth issue with Greek numbering of the officinae (A-A), the new reverse type with a standing Carthage was introduced. According to Elmer and Sutherland4 1 C. H. V. sutherland, Some Political Notions in Coins Types between 294 and 313', JRS 53. 1963. 16. 2 O. Voettek, 'Romische Kupfcrpragung in Carthago', Milteilungcn des Clubs dcr MOnz- und Medaillen-Freunde in Wien 41, 1893. 405. 3 G. Elmkr, 'Die Pragungen des staatlichen romischen Munzamtes in Karthago'. NZ 65, 1932, 23-36 - hereafter elmer. C. H. V. Sutherland, RICd, London 1967.411 ff.-hereafter Sutherland. 4 Elmer 27. Sutherland 415. 7" 100 PETER KOS both reverse legends SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS AVCTA KART and SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART were being struck simultaneously in this issue. In the seventh issue, characterized by larger portrait heads, the reverse legend SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS AVCTA KART ceased to be minted. The final issue of the first tetrarchy aes nummi with the SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART reverse legend reintroduces in the field the letters denoting membership of the T Ml Jovian and Herculian houses ———. A-A However, there are certain points concerning the absolute chronology as well as the sequence of issues of the first tetrarchy which deserve our careful reconsideration. s According to Elmer and Sutherland1" the striking of the first issue of the aes nummi began in ca. 296 when the mint of Carthage was opened at the time of Maximian's arrival in Africa to suppress the revolt of the Quinquegentiani. However, it is certain that the opening of the mint of Carthage did not occur before the arrival of Maximian in Africa (Adventus type). This happened only in the spring of 297'' after he had concluded the campaign in Spain in the autumn of 296.7 The mint of Carthage was undoubtedly established with the help of personnel from the mint of Rome8 as the Roman portraiture style is reflected on its coinage.9 Elmer noted that in the mint of Rome the number of officinae minting aes nummi soon decreased from nine to four and connected this phenomenon with the opening of the new mint in Carthage.'" The reduction of the number of officinae in Rome occurred during its third emission which can be placed chronologically in ca. 297/298." This accords well with Maximian's arrival in Africa and the simultaneous establishment of the mint of Carthage in the spring of 297.12 On the other hand, Sutherland hypothesized that the minting of the last aes nummi issue of the first tetrarchy »perhaps did not extend beyond 303«.'' The evidence, however, contradicts his assumption. The first aes nummi issue of the second tetrarchy evidently retained the reverse type and the mint-mark of the last issue of the first tetrarchy but with the obverse legends of the members of the second tetrarchy. The sequence of both issues must have been uninterrupted as is also shown by the analysis of hoards containing a high percentage of Carthage 5 Elmer 24. Sutherland 425. * Pan. Lat. 8 (5). 7 P. Argent, 480, 1 verso 3. T. D. Barnes. The New Empire of Diocletian and Con.iianrine, Cambridge 1982, 59. See also Anna Pasqualint, Massimiano Herculius. Per un' imerpretazione delta figure e dell' opera, Roma 1979, 64 ff. * K. Pink. 'Die Silberpragung dcr Diocletianisehen Telrarchie', NZ 63. .930, 18. Id., 'Die Goldpragung des Diocletianus und seiner Milregenten', NZ 64, 1931, 22. 9 Sutherland 411. 10 Elmer 24. 11 Sutherland 331, 358 ff. See also A. JeloCnik, 'Kleinc Bcitragc zur Numismalik der Diocletianischen Tetrarchic-, NZ 87/88. 1972, 79, who sels the third issue of Rome in 296 on the basis of Sutherland's datation of the opening of the mint of Carthage. 12 G. Fabre, M. Mainjonet, 'Les tresors de Montbouy (Loiret)'. Gallia suppl. 12, 1958, 127, n. 12, on the other hand, date the opening of the mint to 298 when Maximian marched into the city. 13 Sutherland 415. THE CAKTIIAOE AES NUMM1 OF THE FIRST TETRARCHY 101 aes nummi.14 The last issue of the first tetrarchy is only rarely represented in hoards deposited between 308-310 in which specimens of the first issue of the second tetrarchy are, on the other hand, already well represented. This clearly proves that the last issue of the first tetrarchy must have been minted for a very short time before the very end of the first tetrarchy and that afterwards its striking continued without interruption in the names of the new rulers of the second tetrarchy. * It was more than 40 years ago that a 10.77 gr. heavy aes nummus of Constantius (CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES) with a verv long reverse legend SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FELIX KARTHAGO and the mint mark l\ found in a hoard at Fyfield in Britain, was published.'5 It shows a medium-large portrait head on the obverse and a thin tall personification of Carthage on the reverse (PI. 1:2). The specimen was only briefly mentioned by Carson and Kent as »an exceptional piece«"' but remained unconsidered by Sutherland. There, however, exist five more specimens distinctly showing other reverse legends as noted which were not taken into consideration by Elmer and Suther- land.17 In 1980, an aes nummus weighing 9.92gr. exhibiting the same obverse and reverse legends as the Fyfield specimen, was bought for the collection of P. Zanchi in Switzerland (PI. 1:1).18 The reverses of both specimens are die linked. Another aes nummus of Constantius which was found in the Isny I hoard is kept in the Wurttembergisches Landesmuseum in Stuttgart.19 A medium-large portrait head is accompanied by the obverse legend CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES. On the reverse of the 9.49 gr. specimen is the legend SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS AVCTA KARTHAGO, a r mint-mark and a tall, slim figure of Carthage (PI. 1:3). 14 See evidence collected by P. Kos in j. Garbsoi - P. Kos. Zivei Schaizfunde der friihen 4. Jahrhundens. Das spatrdmische Kasiell Vemania bei Isny I. (Miinchner Bcitrage zur Vor- und Fruhgeschichte, Bd. 44), Munchcn 1988, Tabelle 5. 15 E.T. Lkkds, A Hoard of Roman holies from Dlocletians's Reform (AD 296) lo Conslumine Caesar hound at Fyfield, Berks., Oxford 1946, 11, 50, PI. II, 16. 14 R. A. G. Carson, J. P. C. Kent. 'Constantinian Hoards and Other Studies in the Later Roman Bronze Coinage", NC 16, 1956, 115. " The Carthage aes nummi in the numismatic collections in Athens (Numismatic Museum). Beograd (Narodni muzej), Berlin (Staatliche Museen). Bruxelles (B:bliotheque Royale Albert ler). Budapest (Magyar Ncmzeli Muzeum), Carthage (Mused dc Carthage). Ljubljana (Narodni muzej), London (British Museum). Milano (Civichc Raccolte Numismalichc and Collezioni di Brcra e del Comune). Munchcn (Staatliche Munzsammlung). New York (The American Numismatic Society), Oxford (Ashmolcan Museum), Paris (Bibliotheque Nationalc), Princeton (University), Stockholm (Kungl Myiitkabineltel), Tunis (Muscc dc Bardo), Vienna (Munzkahinctt) and Zagreb (Arhcoloski muzej) have been considered owing to the kindness of the following curators: J. Touratsoglou, Bojana Boric, H.-D. Schulz. Jacqueline Lallcmand. Katalin Biro-Scy. M. Enabli. P. A. van der Vin. John Kent, Rodolfo Martini. Bernhard Overbeck. William E. Metcalf, Cathy King, Michel Amandry, Brooks Levy, Harald Nilsson, Khalcd ben Romdhane, Giinther Dembski and Ivan Mirnik. The study of the comparative material in Tunisia was made possible by a generous grant of the Deutsches Archacologisch.es Institut in Berlin through the kindness of the Director Professor Edmond Buchner. " Aes Rude - Chiasso, April 1980. 1 owe this information to the kindness of G. Gautier. " P. Kos, op. cit. (n. 14), 75, Cat. No. 4. the carthage aes nummi of the first tetrarchy 103 The obverses of the Zanchi and the lsnv specimens are die linked. Both, significantly enough, are also die linked with the obverse of the aes nummus with the reverse legend SALV1S AVGG ET CAESS AVCTA KART from the Centur-C hoard in Istria (PI. 1:7).20 A further specimen of Constantius (CON- STANTIVS NOB CAES) of the third Carthaginian officina (I") with the very short reverse legend SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS AVCT KAR is held by the Miinzkabinett in Vienna (PI. 1:4). In the British Museum is an aes nummus of Galcrius (MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES) with an identical reverse legend and a A mint-mark (PI. 1:5), whereas a worn speciment with die linked obverse and reverse is in the Zagreb collection (PI. 1:6). The former two specimens weigh 10.84gr. and 9.84gr. respectively, and the latter 9.53gr.. all showing medium-large portrait heads and medium-large figures of Carthage holding different kinds of plant attributes in the hands. All six specimens are, I believe, the scarce representatives of hitherto unrecognized issues21 which call for a revision of the relative sequence of the first tetrarchy aes nummi. Several criteria were proposed as being important for the sequence of aes issues in the mint of Carthage. A very significant one is the position of the wreath-ties: at the very beginning of striking two ribbons hang down but later, the front ribbon is lying forward onto the neck and the shorter rear ribbon is dangling down.22 The criterium of smaller portrait heads being superseded by larger ones2' is less relevant as it is valuable only for its extreme variants. For medium-large portrait heads the subjectivity of the observer plays too great a role. After the initial reverse type showing standing Africa with her attributes, a new reverse type was introduced and struck until late 306. It shows the personification of Carthage with a wreath on her head, wearing a long chiton and holding various plant attributes24 (ears of corn, fruit of various kinds) in both hands.2:1 It has been argued that the reverse figures developed from small, thin ones to very tall, bulky ones.2'1 It was also believed that the plant attributes in the hands of Carthage were very soon transposed between the hands after having shown fruit in the right and wheat in the left hand at the beginning of the SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS AVCTA KART issue.27 The numismatic evidence, however, partlj invalidates the definite value of the latter criterium. There are four kinds of plant attributes in the hands of Carthage which occur in six combinations (Fig. 1): -" A. Jelocnik - P. kos, The C enlur-C Hoard. Folles of Maxenlius and of the Tetrarchy (= Simla 23). Ljubljana 1983, PI. II. 320. 21 For the definition of issue, see R. Gobl. F.ckhclianum IP, NZ 98. 1984. 7-18. 22 Elmlr 24. Sutherland 413. 0 Elmer 24. Sutherland 415. ;j Elmer 27. Sutherland 426 it. ;< For the description of the personification of Carthage, sec j. W. Sai.omonson. 'Kunstgcsehich- tliche unci Ikonographischc Untersuchuiigcn zu eiiicm Tonfragmcnt der Samnilung Benaki in Alhen". Archaeologische Studien van het Nederlands Instituut le Rome. Scripts minora III. 1973, 66. * Elmer 27. n R.A.G. Carson. J.P. C. Kent. op. eit. (n. 16) 115. ui4 PETER kos 5 6 Fig. 1 With a small, thin figure of Carthage combination 2 evidently predominates (PI. 1:8-10), while with a tall and bulky reverse figure combination 6 (PI. 2: 1,2.4) slightly exceeds in number combination 5^ (PI. 2:3), all combinations appearing either with SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS AVCTA KART or SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART reverse legends. Even in the last issue of the first tetrarchy (solely SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART) with the mint-mark both combinations 5 and 6 occur (PI. 2:5-7). Both SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS AVCTA KART and SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART issues show a clear development of the reverse figures from small, thin ones to tall and bulky ones. The evidence implies, therefore, the independent development of the reverse figures either with the SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS AVCTA KART or with the SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART reverse legends. This could, plausibly enough, be interpreted as an argument for the simultaneous striking of aes nummi with both reverse legends not only in the 28 For instance, of 57 specimens with SAl.VIS AVGG ET CAF.SS FEL KART in Vienna 25 specimens show combination 6 and 22 specimens combination 5. the carthage acs nummi of the first tetrarchy 105 PI. 2 7 sixth issue, as Elmer and Sutherland have suggested.2'' but in their seventh issue as well. One would hesitate to accept the idea of the simultaneous striking of nummi with both reverse legends in the same officinae denoted with the same mint-marks since it would render the control of the mint output extremely difficult -"' Elmer 27. Sutiilri.and 415. 106 peter kos and hence seems most unlikely. Such striking would theoretically also result in an approximately even percentage of minted coins with both reverse legends. On the contrary, the analysis of hoards shows a tremendously uneven output of specimens with the SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS AVCTA KART and the SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART reverse legends (ca. 18 and 77 per cent, of all Carthage aes nummi of the first tetrarchy respectively)3" and suggests a much scarcer striking of coins with the former legend." However, a detailed analysis of the Isny II hoard, buried in the province of Raetia and containing a unique and enormous percentage of the Carthaginian aes nummi (54.16 %),32 is crucial for our understanding of the present problem. Out of the 60 aes nummi with the reverse legend SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS AVCTA KART there are 20 specimens (33.3%) with combination 1, 39 specimens (65%) with combination 2 and 1 specimen (1.6%) with combination 3 (only nummi with distinguishable reverse figures and attributes are considered). Out of the 272 aes nummi with the reverse legend SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART there are 129 specimens (47.42%) showing combination 1, 137 specimens (50.36%) with combination 2 and 6 specimens (2.20%) with combination 3. All specimens in the hoard exhibit small, thin figures of Carthage.11 This evidence definitely proves the simultaneous striking of aes nummi with both reverse legends from the very beginning of the sixth issue up to the introduction of the last issue of the first tetrarchy. There is a further important critcrium for establishing the sequence of issues that must be seriously taken into consideration. The relative sequence of argentei issues of the first tetrarchy evidently shows that in the mint of Carthage the shortening of the reverse legend is also an important element for establishing the sequence of issues. The initial argentei issue FELIX ADVENT AVGG NN was superseded by the shorter FEL ADVENT AVGG NN and finally by a very short F ADVENT AVGG NN.34 The same criterium must certainly be taken into consideration for the aes issues as well.'5 I propose, therefore, the following sequence of the first tetrarchy aes nummi issues. After the initial five FELIX ADVENT AVGG NN aes issues with standing Africa, the new reverse type of standing Carthage was introduced. In the sixth issue the figure of Carthage was accompanied by a very long reverse legend SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FELIX KARTHAGO. This legend is known for Constantius alone and the issue must have been very small. The die linking of the obverses of aes nummi with reverse legends SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS 30 P. Kos. op., cit. (n. 14), Tabelle 5. 11 According to Voetter. op. cit. (n. 2), the striking of coins with the reverse legends SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS AVCTA KART iind FEL KART was not simultaneous. Sec also R. A. G. Carson. J. P. C. kent, op. cit. (n. 16). 5! Compare P. Kos, op. cit. (n. 14). Tabelle 2. 53 Regretfully, a study of die links could not be performed since the coins were badly damaged during their cleaning. M Sutherland 412. 423 ff. 35 The comparative metrological study of numismatic material from Carthage does not contribute much to the problem of the relative sequence of issues since there is too much variation within the issues. Sec also c. Kino. A. Spaek, 'A Hoard of Folios from Northern Sinai'. NC 17. 1977. 79. the carthage ab nummi of the hkst tetrarciiy 107 FELIX KARTHAGO and SALVIS AVGG ETCAESS AVCTA KARTHAGO* indicates simultaneous striking of aes nummi with both reverse legends in the same officinae in this issue. The legend SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS AVCTA KARTHAGO is known for Constantius alone and must have been very small as well. The obverse die linking of both long reverse legends and of the specimen with the shorter reverse legend SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS AVCTA KART" further confirms a very limited striking of coins with both very long reverse legends and indicates the successive minting of coins with shorter reverse legends. Thus, in the seventh issue the aes nummi with shorter reverse legends SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART and SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS AVCTA KART were minted simultaneously. The evidence shows that coins with both reverse legends were struck for all four rulers. The issue of nummi with the legend SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS AVCTA KART must have been relatively small considering its minor percentage representation in various hoards.38 In the eighth issue this legend was replaced by a very short one, SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS AVCT KAR. It is known only for Constantius and Galerius and must again have been a very small one. Simultaneously, the minting of aes nummi with the reverse legend SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART proceeded uninterrupted in this issue. The striking of coins with the reverse legend SALVIS AVGG ET CAESS FEL KART continues in the final ninth issue of the first tetrarchy exhibiting the I-Hl new mint-mark-■—. These characteristics were utilized further in the se- A-A cond tetrarchy. however in the name of the new rulers. Key to the Plates pi. i 1 Constantius. RIC -. 9.92gr.. 1 . Coll. P. Zanchi 2 Constantius. RIC -. 10.77gr., 1, Oxford (Fyficld hoard) 3 Constantius, RIC -. 9.49gr., | . Stuttgart (Isny I hoard) 4 Constantius. RIC -. 10.84gr.. t . Wicn 62100 5 Galerius. RIC -. 9.84gr.. | ■ BM 1499 6 Galerius, RIC -. 9.53gr.. |. Zagreb 13412 7 Constantius, RIC 28a. 9.69gr.. t. Ljubljana (Centur-C hoard No. 320) 8 Diocletianus, RIC 27a, 9.97gr., 1, Stuttgart (Isny II hoard) 9 Constantius. RIC 30a, 9.38gr.. f , Ljubljana (Centur hoard No. 275) 10 Galerius. RIC 30b. 9.91 gr.. | . Stuttgart (Isny II hoard) * See above, p. 101. 17 See above, p. 103. w Ca. IS per cent, of all Carthage coins of the first tetrarchy. Sec P. Kos. op. cit. (n. 14). 108 peter kos PI. 2 1 Diocletianus, RIC 27a, 9.44gr., / , Ljubljana (Centur hoard No. 271) 2 Diocletianus, RIC 27 a, 9.09gr., f , Stockholm 3 Constantius, RIC 30a, 8.37gr., 1 , Ljubljana (Centur hoard No. 275) 4 Maximianus, RIC 29 b, 9.70gr., f , Ljubljana (Centur hoard No. 274) 5 Constantius, RIC 34a, 10.41 gr., | ■ Ljubljana (Centur-C hoard No. 328) 6 Diocletianus, RIC 33 a, 8.79 gr., I, Ljubljana (Centur-C hoard No. 326) 7 Constantius, RIC 34a, 9.70gr., / , Stockholm