Helmets on Roman coins

Roman imperial coins with helmeted busts are especially attractive and desirable.

The coin at the right is a 27-25 mm follis of Maximian struck at London c. 303 - May 1, 305. The emperor is in military dress, holding a decorated shield on his left arm and a spear over his right shoulder. The helmet is laureate with elaborate decorations and a crest.

Which ancient coins have helmeted busts? Helmets are common on Greek coins. Helmets are very common on Roman Republican denarii which often depict Roma or Mars helmeted. However, Roman imperial coins did not show the emperor helmeted for the first two and a half centuries! (Before AD 260 helmets on Roman imperial coins are usually tiny parts of reverse figures Minerva, Mars, or Virtus standing. Some quadrantes have Mars helmeted, but this page is about helmets on emperors.) Only a few Roman provincial coins have helmeted emperors. This page emphasizes Roman imperial coins with helmeted emperors (with one provincial exception).

The first obverses to depict the emperor helmeted were issued during the sole reign of emperor Gallienus (260-268). They are rare and helmeted portraits remain rare under Claudius II (268-270) and Aurelian (270-275). However, under Probus (276-282) helmeted busts become common. After Probus and before Diocletian helmeted busts continued to be issued, but are on only a very small fraction of coins. They are scarce under the first and second tetrarchies (Diocletian and co-rulers, 284ff), until they once again become common c. 317-324 under Constantine and Licinius. After Constantine died in 337 there are not many different helmeted types, but there are many helmeted coins because the few types which are helmeted are common.

Roman emperors. This page discusses coins of the Roman emperors with helmeted portraits, not including gold coins, medallions, or Roman provincial coins (with one provincial-coin exception--the next coin below). All comments about frequency refer to AE (copper-alloy) coins only.

Gallienus 253-268) Rare. This page has a provincial coin, but not an imperial coin. Here are two off site: One sold by CNG. One sold by Leu.
Macrianus and Quietus 260-261 None.
Claudius II 268-270 Rare. (One below)
Quintillus 270 None.
Aurelian 270-275 Very rare. None on this page. Here are two off site: one sold by CNG. One sold by Naumann.
Tacitus 275-276 None.
Florian 275-276 None.
Probus 276-282 Common. (Several below)
Carus 282-283 Rare. (Here are another two off site. One sold by Naumann. One sold by Roma.)
Carinus 283-285 Extremely Rare. None on this page. Here is one off site sold by Roma.
Numerian 282-284 Extremely rare. None on this page. One type is RIC 385 FELICITAS AVGG from Lugdunum.
Rulers of the tetarchies (284-307) and later periods are discussed below.

Gallienus (253-268) was the first Roman emperor to employ a helmeted portrait. It is very rare on imperial coins and rare on provincial coins, of which the next coin is one.

Gallienus, sole reign, 260-268
Helmeted bust left, holding spear forward and shield.
36 mm. 24.03 grams. Huge!
Struck for the city of Antioch ad Maeandrum in Caria (Southwestern Turkey).
[ΑΥ Κ ]ΠΟ ΓΑΛΛΙΗΝΟϹ
The reverse shows a bridge across the Maeander river, water flowing below, with an arch on its left and the river god reclining.
RPC X unassigned ID 60041
Sear Greek Imperial 4568.
SNG von Aulock 2430.
Price & Trell Fig. 82.

Note: Roman helmets are quite different from Greek helmets. Greek "Corinthian" helmets were larger and heavier and, when in fighting position, covered the face. Most Greek helmets on coins are not illustrated in fighting position. They are tipped up and back so we can see the faces. In battle the helmet would be tilted down to cover the face. This Greek coin makes it easy to see what it means for a helmet to be "tipped back."

Greek silver stater of Corinth, struck 350-315 BC.
21 mm. 8.51 grams.
Sear Greek Coins 2629.
Athena is wearing a massive Corinthian helmet, tipped back, with nose protection and eye holes visible near the top of the coin's reverse. You can see that when the helmet is tipped down the peak-- which projects forward in this orientation--would cover down to below the chin and the bulbous top would have room for the head. In fighting position the warrior would have his whole head from the neck up encased in metal. However, tipped back you can see the face of the wearer.
Roman helmets are not as massive as this one.

Roman helmets (to the right is one from the Israel Museum with its image from Wikipedia) did not cover the face but had advantages. They were lighter and did not restrict the view and hearing of the soldier as much. They used cheek guards which hung down in front of the ear where sideburns would be, although Roman coins do not illustrate the cheek guards.

Claudius II (268-270). Helmeted busts are rare on imperial coins under Claudius II.

Claudius II, 268-270
19-18 mm. 2.78 grams.
This example is crowded; the flan is slightly too small.
IMP CLAVDIVS AVG
VIRTVS AVG
RIC V.I, temporary 704 (only 1 reference as of Jan. 2025)
old RIC 195G, page 227. Siscia mint.
Sear 11383 for the reverse, but not with this bust.

Probus (276-282). Helmeted busts are common on coins of Probus. There is little variation in the crested helmet, but the shield is decorated in several different ways.

Probus, 276-282
24 mm. 3.32 grams.
IMP PROBVS AVG
ADVENTVS AVG
R*Γ

Sear III.11953
RIC V.II 157. Rome mint.

Probus, 276-282
25-22 mm. 2.79 grams.
IMP PROBVS AVG
VIRTVS PROBI AVG
On shield, horseman riding right
ADVENTVS PROBI AVG

Sear III.11955 variety.
RIC --, 159 is similar, mint uncertain.

Probus, 276-282
22-21 mm. 4.06 grams.
IMP PROBVS PF AVG
CONCORDIA AVG
XXI V in exergue.

Sear III.11966 variety
RIC V.II 661. Siscia mint.

Probus, 276-282
23 mm. 3.60 grams.
VIRTVS PROBI AVG
CONSERVAT AVG
TXXT
Sol standing right, head left, raising right hand in benediction, globe in left.

Sear III 11969.
RIC V.II 351. Ticinium mint.

Probus, 276-282
VIRTVS PROBI AVG
ERCVLI PACIFERO
Hercules standing left holding olive branch up in right hand
with club and lion's skin in left arm
SXXT

Sear III. 11984
RIC V.II 383 variety. Ticinum mint.

Probus, 276-282
23 mm. 3.37 grams.
VIRTVS PROBI AVG
Q in the left field
XXI in exergue
RIC V.II 467. Ticinum mint.
Sear III.12013

Probus, 276-282
23 mm. 4.23 grams.
IMP PROBVS AVG
ROMAE AETERNAE, 6-column temple (of Roma) with Roma within holding Victory and long staff.
R*Γ in exergue, for the Rome mint.
Sear III.12027
RIC V.II, 195G. Rome mint.

Probus, 276-282
23 mm. 3.66 grams.
IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG, helmeted bust left with spear and shield.
SOLI INVICTO, facing quadriga driven by Sol
KAB in exergue.
Sear III.12040
RIC V.II 862. Serdica mint.

Carus (282-283). Probus was succeeded by Carus who elevated his sons Carinus and Numerian. Helmeted coins of Carus are rare.

Carus 282-283
21 mm. 3.35 grams.
IMP C M AVR CARVS AVG, helmeted and curiassed bust right.
VICTORIA AVGG, Victory on globe with wreath and palm.
RIC V.II Carus 18v (18 has AVG). Lugdunum mint.
Sear III 12184v.

The First Tetrarchy: Diocletian, Maximian, Constantius, and Galerius (284-305).

Helmeted busts make up only a very small fraction of the coins of the First Tetrarchy. However, the number of their extant coins is so huge that a small fraction still makes a large number. Helmeted busts carry a substantial premium, but are available.

Maximian, first reign 286-305
22 mm. 3.36 grams.
IMP C MAXIMIANVS AVG
VIRTVTI AVGG
Hercules strangling the Nemean lion, being crowned by flying Victory, club to left.
RIC V.II 462. Lugdunum (=Lyons) mint
Bastien 233, page 159, 5th emission, struck 287-289.
Sear IV 13198 page 154.

Diocletian, 284-305
26 mm. 8.40 grams.
IMP DIOCLETIANVS P AVG
GENIO POPVLI ROMANI
B * field marks
TR in exergue for Trier.
Not in RIC VI, but close to types on pages 184ff where it is combination 1h/Z where Z is listed only for Maximian and Constantius, series of numbers 264-373, struck "298-9."
Sear IV --, but its number would be near 12762.

[Repeated. It is the first coin on this page.]
Maximian, 286-305
27-25 mm. 9.42 grams.
MAXIMIANVS AVG
GENIO POPVLI ROMANI

Hugh Cloke, co-author of The London Mint assigned it
CT 3.01.020.5 Bust E2 (z) left.

Carausius (290-293), usurper in Britain, has rare helmeted types. Here is one off-site: https://www.sixbid.com/browse.html?auction=5126&page=9
Allectus (293-296) in Britain has extremely rare helmeted types. Here is one off-site: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=6896834 (It hammered at $15,000.)

Galerius, as Augustus, 305-311
28-25 mm. 8.24 grams.
IMP C MAXIMIANVS PF AVG
VIRTVS AVGG ET CAESS NN
Emperor riding horse right, spearing kneeling foe, second foe prostrate on ground
AQS in exergue.
RIC VI Aquileia 81a. "25 July 306 - c. March 307"

Severus II, Caesar 305-306 and Augustus 306-307
28-27 mm. 8.46 grams.
SEVERVS NOB CAES
VIRTVS AVGG ET CAESS NN
AQP

RIC VI Aquileia 67a. "c. 305-306," as Caesar.
Sear IV 14643.

Severus II, Caesar 305-306 and Augustus 306-307
27 mm. 11.38 grams.
IMP C SEVERVS PF AVG
FIDES MILITVM AVGG ET CAESS NN
AQP

RIC VI Aquileia 77b. "25 July 306 - c. March 307" as Augustus.
Sear IV 14667.

Maxentius, 306-312
21mm. 2.69 grams. Half follis.
MAXENTIVS PF AVG
VICTORIA AETERNA AVG N
RP
Victory standing right inscribing "VOT/X" on shield resting on column, captive to left
RIC VI Rome 230 "c. 310"

Constantinian era. The most common Roman coins that have helmeted portrait busts are from c. 317-324, during the reigns of Constantine and Licinius. They are issued in the names of Constantine, Crispus, Licinius, and Licinius II, but not for Constantius II or Constans. Only a fraction (about 8%) of coins of Constantine have helmeted busts, but there are so very many coins that helmeted busts are common. The following coins are some examples--not a complete list of types or mints.

Constantine, 307-337
18 mm. 2.94 grams.
CONSTANTINVS AVG
BEATA TRAQVILLITAS
globe on altar inscribed VO/TIS/XX
STR •
RIC VII Trier 341, page 194. Struck 322.

Constantine, 307-337
22 mm.
CONSTANTINVS AVG
PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS
Emperor holding two standards
PLN
RIC VII London 220v (obverse legend of 221) page 137. Struck mid 310 - late 312.

Constantine, 307-337
18 mm. 3.10 grams.
CONSTANTINVS AVG
VICTORIAE LAET PRINC PERP
in exergue: P L either side of two captives
RIC VII Lugdunum 79, page 128. Struck "320"

Constantine, 307-337
19-18 mm. 2.77 grams.
IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
Bowl-shaped helmet with laurel wreath and short crest. Unlike most earlier helmets, it has no brim projecting out over the forehead.
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP
Two Victories holding shield inscribed VOT/PR over altar between them
ASISΓ* in exerge.
RIC VII Siscia 47, page 431. Struck 318.

Constantine, 307-337
19 mm. 3.16 grams.
IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG
Bust left, holding spear over right shoulder, bowl-shaped helmet with narrow crest.
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP
PARL
RIC VII Arles 192, page 255. Struck 319.

Constantine, 307-337
19 mm. 3.34 grams.
CONSTANTINVS AVG
VOT/XV FEL/XX RT in wreath
RIC VII Rome 220, page 319. Struck 320.

Constantine, 307-337
18 mm. 2.78 grams.
IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
VOT XX/MVLT/XXX/TS • Γ in wreath
RIC VII Thessalonica 28Γ, page 504. Struck 318-319.

Constantine, 307-337
18 mm. 3.23 grams. A debased "argenteus" from 313-315.
IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP
Two Victories holding shield inscribed VPT/PR
PTR in exergue
RIC Trier 208a.

Licinius, 308-324
18 mm. 2.85 grams.
IMP LICINIVS AVG
VIRTVS EXERCIT
Standard with banner with VOT/XX
S F either side
Two captives
ΓSIS*
RIC VII Siscia 110, page 438. Struck 320.

Licinius, 308-324
18-17 mm. 3.02 grams.
IMP LICINIVS AVG
The helmet's crest is unusual in that it seems to be something like individual feathers up and forward. Most helmets seem to have a clear crest line along the top. This one does not.
VOT/XV/FEL/XX/RQ
RIC VII Rome 215v. (RIC Rome 215 is "r5" with only RP listed. This one, because it is RQ, is unlisted.) Struck 320.

Licinius II, Caesar 317-324.
21-19 mm.
DN VAL LICIN LICINIVS NOB C
IOVI CONSERVATORI
X
IIΓ in field for "12 1/2" (a denmination)
SMANTB
RIC VII Antioch 36B. Struck 321-323.

Licinius II was born in 315 so he could not have been older than 9 when this type was issued. The helmeted bust type did not reflect reality.

Constantine II, 317-340
19 mm. 2.98 grams.
CONSTANTINVS IVN NC
BEAT TRANQILTAS
Altar with globe, VOT/IS/XX on altar
PLON
RIC VII London 287, page 115. Struck 323-324.

Crispus, 317-326
19-18 mm. 2.65 grams.
CRISPVS NOB CAES
VIRTVS EXERCIT
Trophy of arms, captive either side.
STR in exergue.
RIC VII Trier 261. "320"
Sear IV 16835g, page 537. Struck 320.

Constans became Caesar in 333. Helmeted busts on AE coins had already ceased to be issued for the imperial family, so there are none for Constans.

Helmeted busts discontinued. The lack of helmeted busts for Constantius II and Constans indicates helmeted imperial busts on AE coins were discontinued about 324 or slightly earlier.

330-340. When Constantinople was dedicated in 330 the issues commemorating Rome and Constantinople depicted them helmeted. These are Roman imperial coins, but do not depict Roman emperors. Both types are extremely common. Note that Roma and Constantinopolis have different helmets.

VRBS ROMA
19 mm. 2.87 grams. (Many are slightly smaller)
This coin is from Siscia. RIC VII Siscia 222.
The visor points upward and the helmet is not laureate.

These two commemorative obverses also come with different reverses including
GLORIA EXERCITVS with two soldiers and one standard, and
VOT XX MVLT XXX in a wreath.
For the helmeted commemorative coins of this era, see my page about coins related to the founding of Constantinople:
http://augustuscoins.com/ed/CON/Founding.html

337-350. After Constantine's death in 337 no helmeted types were issued for Constantine II, Constantius II, or Constans. Julian was the next emperor to issue a helmeted AE type.

350. Magnentius, Decentius, and Vetranio do not have helmeted AE coins.

360-363. Julian II as Augustus. Julian was Caesar 355-360 but did not have helmeted busts as Caesar. Only three copper types were issued in the name of Julian II. The famous "bull" AE1 type and the small SPES REIPVBLICAE type are not helmeted, but this common "VOT/X/MVLT/XX in wreath" type is.

Julian II, Augustus 360-363.
20-19 mm. 2.63 grams.
DN FL CL IVLIANVS PF AVG, helmeted bust left with spear and shield.
VOT/X/MVLT/XX in wreath
CONSPΔ
RIC VIII Constantinople 166 "3 Nov. 361- 26 June 363"

This type was issued from several mints.

363-364. Jovian did not issue helmeted AE coins.

364-401. Gratian, Valentinian II, and Theodosius. After Jovian died Valentinian became emperor in 364. Valentinian did not issue helmeted busts and neither did his co-ruler Valens. There is only one reverse type with a helmeted-bust obverse in the time period from 364 to 401. It is on the AE2 "galley" type of Theodosius (379-395) and his co-rulers Valentinian II and Gratian. This type was issued from several mints and is common.

Theodosius, 379-395
22 mm. 5.07 grams.
"Galley"
DN THEODOSIVS PF AVG
Emperor right in high-crested helmet
holding spear forward in right and a shield (barely visible) in his left.
GLORIA ROMANORVM
CONB in exergue.
Emperor standing left, head right, on galley with Victory at the rudder.
RIC IX Constantinople 52c4 "379-383"
Sear V 20478

Valentinian II, 375-392
24 mm. 4.57 grams.
"Galley"
DN VALENTINIANVS PF AVG
[same bust type]
GLORIA ROMANORVM
CONΔ in exergue.
[same reverse design]
RIC IX Constantinople 52b "378-383"
Sear V 20260

Gratian, 367-383
23.6 mm. 5.18 grams.
"Galley"
DN GRATIANVS PF AVG
[same bust type]
GLORIA ROMANORVM
SMNA in exergue.
[same reverse design]
RIC IX Nicomedia 25a2, "378-383"
Sear V 19998

402-406. The next helmeted bust type is shared by Arcadius, Honorius, and Theodosius II. All of these are in RIC X on page 248 and dated 402 (when Theodosius II was made emperor as an infant) through a few years after, maybe 406. The type is common, although often crowded and poorly struck.

Honorius, 393-423
17-16 mm. 2.71 grams
DN HONORIVS PF AVG
Facing bust, very slightly right, helmeted, with spear in right hand over right shoulder and shield with long cross on it on his left arm.
CONCORDIA AVGG, Constantinopolis seated, head right, being crowned by Victory on globe in left hand
ANTΓ for Antioch
RIC X 99, Struck 401-403 [RIC] 402 [DO]

Gold coins with nearly facing helmeted busts much like these are common in the fourth century beginning under Constantius II. This page does not illustrate or discuss gold coins.

c. 437. The next helmeted bust type is a rare type shared by Theodosius II (402-450) and Valentinian III (425-455) from the Cherson mint in Crimea in the north Black Sea (or possibly minted at Constantinople and exclusively sent to Cherson). These used to be very rare, but quite a few have appaered since 2000, however, they are still extremely rare in excellent condition.

Valentinian III, 425-455
22-21 mm. 5.09 grams.
DN VALENTINIANVS PF A, somewhat blundered
CONCORDIA AVG, somewhat blundered
Two emperors (Valentinian III and Theodosius II) hold long cross between them and staffs
CONS ("N" retrograde)
RIC X 461, page 276. Struck "?437".

Zeno (474-491) has a tiny helmeted bust on an AE4.

Zeno, 474-491
11-10 mm. 0.99 grams.
DN ZE ...
Helmeted bust right
Emperor standing facing holding standard and globe.
ZE up the left NO low ( "N" at 4:00) down the right. It is very unusual to have the name on the reverse, too.
RIC X 953 page 313 "R2" "Cyzicus style" (The RIC plate coin is not as nice.)

References:

RIC (Roman Imperial Coinage) volumes 5 to 10.

Sear, David. Roman Imperial Coins and Their Values, volumes 3 through 5.

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