Tripolis mint, Roman Empire

Diocletian 330 The Tripolis mint of late third century Rome
A list of all the coin types. An educational resource for collectors.
by Warren Esty

A Tripolis coin of Diocletian with the distinctive "TR" mintmark in the field. Poorly engraved portraits are also a characteristic of the Tripolis mint.

(Skip down to the coins of Aurelian, Tacitus, Probus, Carus, Numerian, Carinus, Diocletian, or Maximian.)

Tripolis minted Roman coins, radiate "aureliani" (a.k.a. "antoniniani") and a few aurei, for a limited time during the reigns from Aurelian (AD 270-275) through Diocletian and Maximian (284-305). The mint was probably closed about 286. The Tripolis coins of Aurelian and Tacitus are not clearly mintmarked, but after Tacitus, Tripolis coins are marked "TR" in the reverse field. The mint city is normally identified with the Tripolis south of Antioch (lower right on the map). However, one scholar, F. Redö, argued the coins were minted at a different Tripolis (in Phrygia, in Asia Minor, center left on his map reproduced here) and argues that it was also the city of the enigmatic mint with mintmark "SPQR" in the exergue under Gallienus and Claudius II. (Most scholars now think the SPQR mint is Cyzicus.)
I think the mint is the Tripolis south of Antioch. I list coins according to RIC which first assigns coins to Tripolis under Aurelian. This site lists only aureliani, not aurei.

What's new? (May 2018) DIVO CARO AVG/CONSECRATIO with eagle.

map
References
Roman Imperial Coinage, volume V, part I, by Percy H. Webb, 1927 and volume V, part II, by Percy H. Webb, 1933. Spink & Son, London. (RIC)
D'Aurelien a Florien (270-276 apres J.-C.) by Sylviane Estiot (Estiot), Biliotheque National de France, Monnaies de l'Empire Romain, XII.1. The new (2004) standard reference for coins of Aurelian, Tacitus, and Florian. 2004 in two volumes.
Aureliano, volume II.1, Ripostiglio della Venera Nuovo Catalogo Illustrato, by Sylvane Estiot (Est) . 1995.
"The history of the SPQR mint," by F. Redö, in Mitteilungen des Archäolgischen Instituts der Ungarnischen Akademie der Wissenschaften 12/13 1982/1983, Budapest, pages 85-111.
"Analyses de Series Atypiques" by J. P. Callu, Cl. Brenot, and J. N. Barrandon, in Numismatica e Antichita Classiche, VIII, 1979, pages 241-254.
"The alloy of the 'XI' coins of Tacitus" by Warren Esty, Nancy Equall, and Richard Smith, in Numismatic Chronicle, 1993, pages 97-226.
Roman Imperial Coins in the Hunter Coin Cabinet, volume IV, by Anne Robertson, 19878, Oxford University Press. (Hunter)
Ripostiglio della Venera Nuovo Catalogo Illustrato, Aureliano, volume II/1, by Sylviane Estiot, 1995.

Key to the Format of each entry:
Obverse legend

Reverse legend

(obverse legend variety,
if applicable)

RIC number
and page.
Estiot BN reference (for Aurelian and Tacitus)
Estiot Aureliano reference (for Aurelian)
Hunter reference
Other references

Reverse type description
(as given in RIC)

mintmark, including field marks

IMAGE of obverse and reverse

For a short note on the rarity of the types, click here.

RIC V, I: p. 25: Mint established by Aurelian and continued by his successors.

Aurelian (AD 270-275) RIC V,I
RIC p.261 a small number of coins from late in the reign, marked * in field or KA in exergue, or both
Obverse legend: IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG

RESTITVT ORBIS	RIC#389, p.309. "C" Estiot emission 3-5, pages 438-9. Spring 274 - end of 274. Plates 45-6, 1374-1393 Est 10827-9. Hunter --	Woman presenting wreath to emperor * in middle field KA in exergue
SOLI INVICTO	RIC#390, p.309. Estiot emission 1-2, page 438. Plate 45, 1368 (nothing in ex.) 1371 (KA in ex.) Est 10826. Hunter 34.116-7.	Sol stg l, r hand raised, l holding globe; at foot to l, captive. * in left field, KA in exergue. Obverse bust left on the 2 pieces illustrated in Hunter 34.116&117 Hunter: 2 photos of #390 (gF, wk aVF)
SOLI INVICTO	RIC#390, p.309 Estiot emission 1-2, page 438. Plate 45, 1367 (nothing in ex.). 1369- 1370 and 1372-1373 (KA in ex.).	Same as above, but bust right. Both have the same RIC number. I list them here separately as distinct collectable types.

The bust left type is rare.

Tacitus (AD 275-276)
RIC p.325 Still no "TR" mintmark. * over KA or IA. Letters of irregular sizes; especially "S" and "C" larger than others
Obverse legend: IMP C M CL TACITVS AVG (only the first type has IMP C M CL TACITVS PF AVG)

PROVIDENTIA DEORVM (with PF in obverse legend)	Not in RIC. Estiot emission 1, Nov.-Dec. 275, page 258. Plate 64, 1838-1840	Emperor standing r holding scepter, receiving globe from Jupiter stg. l, holding scepter * over dot over KA, or * over KA
PROVIDENTIA DEORVM (same type as above but without PF, as are the following issues)	Not in RIC. Estiot emission 1, Nov.-Dec. 275, page 258. Plate 64, 1839-1841	Emperor standing r holding scepter, receiving globe from Jupiter stg. l, holding scepter * over dot over KA, or * over KA
CLEMENTIA TEMP	RIC#213, p.348 KA variety Estiot emission 2 Jan.- June 276 Plate 64, 1845	Emperor stg r holding scepter, receiving globe from Jupiter stg. l, holding scepter * over KA	no image [See Diocletian 328 below for the reverse type.]
CLEMENTIA TEMP	RIC#213, p.348 IA variety Estiot emission 2 Jan.- June 276 Plate 64, 1848	Emperor stg r holding scepter, receiving globe from Jupiter stg. l, holding scepter * over IA	no image, same type as previous.
CLEMENTIA TEMP	RIC#214 KA variety Estiot emission 2 Jan.- June 276 Plate 64, 1842-1844	Mars stg. or walking l, holding olive branch and spear and shield. "R" * in field left, KA in exergue
CLEMENTIA TEMP	RIC#214 IA variety Plate X.154 "double anoninianus" Estiot, emission 2, Jan.- June 276 Plate 64, 1846-1847	Mars stg. or walking l, holding olive branch and spear and shield. "R" * in field left, IA in exergue IA coins are slightly larger in diameter than KA coins. K is 20 in Greek] and "10 parts copper and 1 of silver" [I is 10 in Greek]. Therefore the very rare "IA" coins probably indicate a short-lived and ill-fated coin reform. They certainly would have been regarded as different by the issuer and users, and deserve two different reference numbers.

There are no Tacitus examples in Hunter.
The "IA" type is extremely rare. The "KA" type is scarce to rare. Callu et al. showed that the "XI" type of Antioch and the "IA" (Greek for "XI") type of Tripolis had about twice the silver content of the usual "XXI" and "KA" (Greek for "XXI") types, conclusively proving that "20 - 1" had to mean either "twenty of these coins make one [of some higher standard]" or "twenty parts base metal to one of silver." The latter interpretation has come to be accepted. Esty, et al. did further work on the alloy of these coins of Tacitus and again showed that the silver content of the "XI" and "IA" coins was about twice the silver content of the regular coins and consistent with the "ten parts base metal to one part silver" hypothesis. The conclusion is that Tacitus instituted a short-lived and ill-fated coin reform shortly after they initial reform of Aurelian in 274. Very few of these coins with higher silver content are extant. This "XI" = "IA" denomination is extremely rare.

Probus (AD 276-282) RIC V,II
p.16-17 "considerable output under Probus"
The difference between the two numbers is in the obverse legend -- the second lacks the "PF" of the first.

CLEMENTIA TEMP (sometimes followed by a dot, as on this example) IMP C M AVR PROBVS PF AVG	#927 p.121 plate V, 15 Hunter 353-354	Emp. stg. r holding scepter rec. globe from Jupiter stg l, holding scepter. Wreath in upper middle field. XXI in exergue on this example. Other mintmarks include * in lower middle field above XXI, and nothing, crescent, or T above KA in exergue ("T" for "Tripolis" according to Carson, Principate, #1034) [The key difference between #927 and #928 is the obverse legend, not the mintmark]
CLEMENTIA TEMP IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG	#928 p.121 plate V, 16 Hunter 349-350	Emp. stg. r holding (eagle-tipped) scepter rec. globe from Jupiter stg l, holding scepter. Crescent in lower middle field and KA in exergue on this example. Other mintmarks include nothing, T, or * above KA.

Hunter 348-355, plate 48, 4 photos.
RIC lists one aureus, "R3".

Carus and Family
p.131 The mintmark always TR over XXI, sometimes with * in upper field
There is some resemblance to the coins of Antioch, but the portraits are coarse and ugly. Busts occupy a greater portion of the field, portraits are less pleasing, and the lettering is much less regular. As at Antioch, the emperor is always depicted radiate and draped and cuirassed to the right.

Carus (AD 282-283)
Obverse legend: IMP C M AVR CARVS PF AVG

VIRTVS AVGG (sometimes followed by a dot)	#128, p.150 Hunter --	Emperor standing right, holding sceptre, receiving globe from Jupiter (or Carinus) standing left, holding sceptre. * in upper field, TR in lower field, XXI in exergue.
DIVO CARO AVG /CONSECRATIO	#129, p. 150 Hunter --	eagle standing or looking left T to left, R to right XXI in exergue
DIVO CARO AVG /CONSECRATIO	not in RIC (seen in trade)	altar, with garland, T to left, R to right XXI in exergue.

The CONSECRATIO types are extremely rare.

Numerian (AD 282-284)

VIRTVS AVGG IMP C M AVR NVMERIANVS NOB C	#380, p.191, as Caesar Hunter 16 plate 51.16 (worn aVF)	Emperor standing right, holding sceptre, receiving globe from Jupiter (or Carinus) standing left, holding sceptre . * in upper field, TR in lower field, XXI in exergue.
VIRTVS AVGG IMP C M AVR NVMERIANVS PF AVG	#470, p.202, as Augustus	Emperor standing right, holding sceptre, receiving globe from Jupiter (or Carinus) standing left, holding sceptre . * in upper field, TR in lower field, XXI in exergue.

These two types differ only the change from Casear to Augustus in the obverse legend.

Carinus (AD 282-285)

VIRTVS AVGG or VIRTVS AVGG<dot> IMP C M AVR CARINVS NOB C	#209, p.165 as Caesar	Prince standing right, holding sceptre and receiving globe from Jupiter (or Carus) standing left, holding sceptre. [See #329 below for this reverse, but with obverse as Augustus.]	.
VICTORIA AVG IMP M AVR CARINVS PF AVG	#328, p.179 as Augustus	Emperor standing left, holding sceptre and receiving wreath from Victory, standing right, holding palm	no image [See Diocletian 330 for the reverse type]
VIRTVS AVGG or VIRTVS AVGG<dot> IMP C M AVR CARINVS PF AVG	#329, p. 179 as Augustus	Emperor standing right, holding sceptre (sometimes eagle-tipped), receiving Victory (with or without globe) from Jupiter (or Carus) standing left, holding sceptre. This example has the globe, but not Victory on it. * in upper field, TR in lower field, XXI in exergue.

None in Hunter. The fact that #209 as Caesar and #329 as Augustus are otherwise similar suggests that type #329 preceded type #328. Also, type #328 was continued by Diocletian, and #329 was not, suggesting the same thing.

Diocletian
p.218 "no great numbers" probably ceased between "290-293 " AD. There are none for the Caesars elevated in 293.
p.257 7 varieties, 3 common, 4 rare, still TR in field low
Obverse legend: IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG (except #333 omiting PF)

IOV ET HERCV CONSER AVGG [note: two G's]	#327 p.257	Jupiter standing right holding globe and sceptre, facing Hercules standing left, holding Victory, club, as lion's skin XXI with palm left to right in exergue
IOVI CONSERVATORI AVG [note: one "G"]	#328 Hunter 75, plate 54.75 (Fine)	Emperor standing right, holding sceptre, receiving Victory on glove from Jupiter standing left, holding sceptre. XXI in exergue
IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG [note: two G's]	#329	Emperor standing right, holding sceptre, receiving Victory on glove from Jupiter standing left, holding sceptre. <palm>XXI in exergue [The object held by the emperor is described by RIC as a "sceptre", but this may be the same object described by RIC and below as a "parazonium" (a short sword worn at the waist) under Maximian #626.]
IOVI CONSERVATORI AVG [note: one "G"]	#330	Victory right holding palm, presenting wreath to emperor holding globe and scepter XXI in exergue
IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG	#331	Victory r holding palm, presenting wreath to emp holding globe and scepter XXI<palm> in exergue
VICTORIA AVG	#332	Victory r holding palm, presenting wreath to emp holding globe and scepter XXI in exergue	no image [See the next type for the reverse type.]
VICTORIA AVG [same as above except PF omitted in the obverse legend]	#333	Victory r holding palm, presenting wreath to emp holding globe and scepter XXI in exergue

#328, #330, and #333 have reverse legend with only one G, which probably means they were minted in the time before Maximianus was made co-Augustus. I argue the mint closed c. 286-287. The ratio of the number of examples of Diocletian as sole Augustus to Diocletian as joint Augustus suggests the mint was not open long under Maximian. Also, the ratio of the number of examples of Diocletian to the number of Maximian suggests it was not open long under Maximian. I conclude it was open about as long under Maximian as it was under Diocletian before Maximian was elevated -- say, a only year or two -- that is, until 286 or 287.

Maximian
p.294-5 3 varieties, 2 common, 1 rare.
Obverse legend: IMP C MAXIMIANVS PF AVG

IOV ET HERCV CONSER AVGG (as Diocletian 327)	#624, p.294 Hunter 62, 63, plate 56.63 (EF, sl. o/c)	Emp stg r holding globe and scepter, facing Hercules stg l holding Victory, club and lion's skin XXI<palm> in exergue or <palm>XXI
IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG (as Diocletian 331)	#625, p.295	Victory walking right holding palm, presenting wreath to Jupiter left holding globe and scepter XXI<palm> in exergue
IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG (as Diocletian 329)	#626. p.295	Emperor standing right, holding parazonium, receiving Victory on globe from Jupiter. XXI or <palm>XXI or XXI<palm> in exergue. [This may be the same type as Diocletian 329, with the "sceptre" there called a "parazonium" (a short sword worn at the waist) here.]

Issues from the Tripolis mint were discontinued before the coin reform of c. 293-296. I argue above under Diocletian that the mint closed c. 286-7.
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First posted Jan. 2003.

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