The Nummus denomination
The nummus was a diminutive denomination introduced around 379 AD. It measured less than 17 mm, and weighed around 1 gram. The name nummus is almost certainly a misattribution, as recent evidence suggests that what we call a 'follis' was actually referred to as a 'nummus'.

As the disastrous 5th Century progressed, the "nummus" was to become the only bronze denomination in circulation.

By this time, the quality of Roman coinage has declined so much that official issues are frequently indistinguishable from the imitations produced by the hordes of barbarians which now occupied most of the empire.

Sic transit gloria mundi.
Nummus
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An AE Nummus struck 491-498 AD in Constantinopolis
Obverse: draped, diademed bust right; (illegible letters)

Reverse: Monogram of Anastasius

Diameter: 9.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 1.06 g
No notes for this coin
BMC 32:128, Wroth 26
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An AE Nummus struck AD 319-320 in Londinium
Obverse: IMP CONSTANTINVS AG, cuirassed bust left, wearing high-crested helmet and holding spear over right shoulder

Reverse: VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP, two Victories standing facing each other, holding between them shield, inscribed VOT PR in two lines, resting on altar ornamented with diamond pattern; five dots within, PLN in exergue

Diameter: 19 mm
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 2.47 g
No notes for this coin
RIC 159; Sear 16296
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An AE Nummus struck c. AD 321-323 in Londinium
Obverse: CONSTAN-TINVS AVG, laureate and trabeate bust right, holding eagle-tipped sceptre

Reverse: BEAT TRA-NQLITAS, globe set upon altar inscribed VOT/IS/XX; three stars above, PLON in exergue

Diameter: 19 mm
Die Orientation: 5 H
Weight: 2.96 g
No notes for this coin
CT 9.05.008; RIC 267; Sear 16170
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An AE Nummus struck 319 AD in Siscia
Obverse: CONSTANTI-NVS AVG: Bust of Constantine I, wearing high-crested helmet, cuirassed, left, spear across right shoulder and shield on left arm

Reverse: VICT • LAETAE PRINC PERP: Two Victories, winged, draped, facing each other, holding a shield inscribed VOT/PR supported by S on altar MintMark: -/-//•ΓSIS•

Diameter: 19 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 2.75 g
No notes for this coin
RIC VII Siscia 84
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An AE Nummus struck AD 330-335 in Antioch
Obverse: VRBS ROMA, helmeted bust of Roma left, wearing imperial mantle

Reverse: She-wolf standing left, suckling Romulus and Remus; two stars above, SMANΘ in exergue

Diameter: 18 mm
Die Orientation: 5 H
Weight: 2.94 g
No notes for this coin
RIC 91
(6) Constantine I
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An BL Nummus struck AD 313-314 in Londinium
Obverse: IMP CONSTANTINVS P AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right

Reverse: MARTI CONSERVATORI, Mars standing right, holding spear and shield; star in left field, PLN in exergue

Diameter: 21 mm
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 3.33 g
No notes for this coin
CT 8.01.005; RIC 253
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An AE Nummus struck AD 312-313 in Londinium
Obverse: CONSTANTINVS P AVG, laureate, helmeted, draped and cuirassed bust left, right hand holding spear forward and shield on left arm

Reverse: SECVRITAS AVGG, Securitas standing facing, head left, legs crossed, with right hand on head and left arm leaning on column; star in left field, PLN in exergue

Diameter: 21 mm
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 3.61 g

Ex. Roma Numismatics E-Sale 69; Lot 1204. This coin was part of a hoard of 3,442 coins discovered on the 22nd March 1970 by a detectorist just south of the village of Bourton-on-the-Water in Gloucestershire, England. Archaeological evidence indicates the presence of a Roman settlement nearby; the village was located on a major Roman road, the Fosse way linking Cirencester to Leicester, and would have been an ideal location for a posting station. The main hoard, containing 2,707 coins, was found in a field adjoining the Fosse Way and hidden 45cm below ground level. It was beneath flat stones and in a spherical mass that suggested their owner had buried them inside a bag. A further 735 coins were found scattered in the vicinity. The hoard consisted mainly of coins of Constantine I, and over half of the coins in the hoard (1,882) were struck at the London mint. The coin types present suggest that the hoard was assembled early in the reign of Constantine I, sometime between AD 317 and 319. This particular coin is rare, and the only one of it’s type in the BoW hoard. For another example, struck from the same dies, see CNG Mail Bid Sale 75; Lot 1139.

CT 7.13.004; RIC 278 cor. (bust type); Sear 16040 (note)
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An AE Nummus struck c. AD 314 in Londinium
Obverse: IMP CONSTANTINVS P AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right

Reverse: SOLI INVICTO COMITI, Sol standing left with chlamys across left shoulder, right hand raised, left hand holding globe; S in left field, F in right field, PLN in exergue

Diameter: 21 mm
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 3.83 g
This coin was part of a hoard of 3,442 coins discovered on the 22nd March 1970 by a detectorist just south of the village of Bourton-on-the-Water in Gloucestershire, England. Archaeological evidence indicates the presence of a Roman settlement nearby; the village was located on a major Roman road, the Fosse way linking Cirencester to Leicester, and would have been an ideal location for a posting station. The main hoard, containing 2,707 coins, was found in a field adjoining the Fosse Way and hidden 45cm below ground level. It was beneath flat stones and in a spherical mass that suggested their owner had buried them inside a bag. A further 735 coins were found scattered in the vicinity. The hoard consisted mainly of coins of Constantine I, and over half of the coins in the hoard (1,882) were struck at the London mint. The coin types present suggest that the hoard was assembled early in the reign of Constantine I, sometime between AD 317 and 319. This particular coin was one of 19 examples of the type in the hoard, and is in a far better state of preservation than the majority of the coins discovered.
RIC 8; CT 8.02.013; Sear 16050
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An AE Nummus struck AD 322-323 in Londinium
Obverse: CONSTANTINVS IVN N C, helmeted and cuirassed bust left

Reverse: BEAT TRANQLITAS, globe on altar inscribed VOTIS XX in three lines; three stars above, PLON in exergue

Diameter: 19 mm
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 3.82 g
No notes for this coin
RIC 287; Sear 17149
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An AE Nummus struck AD 330-333 in Constantinople
Obverse: CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C, laureate and cuirassed bust right

Reverse: GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS, Two soldiers standing facing each other, each resting on spear and shield, two standards between them; CONSΓ in exergue

Diameter: 17 mm
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 2.4 g
No notes for this coin
RIC 60; Sear 17338
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An BL Nummus struck c. AD 320 in Londinium
Obverse: CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C, radiate, trabeate and cuirassed bust left

Reverse: VIRTVS EXERCIT, standard inscribed VOT XX with captive seated on ground to either side; PLN in exergue

Diameter: 19 mm
Die Orientation: 5 H
Weight: 3.25 g

Ex. Brian Henry Grover Collection (Roma Numismatics E-Sale 72; Lot 1612)

CT 9.02.010; RIC 197 cor. (obv. bust)
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An BL Nummus struck c. AD 325 in Londinium
Obverse: CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind

Reverse: PROVIDENTIAE CAESS, camp gate with two turrets; star above, pellet in doorway, PLON in exergue

Diameter: 20 mm
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 2.99 g
No notes for this coin
CT 10.02.004 (2); RIC VII 296; Sear 17214; S 738A
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An AE Nummus struck AD 353-355 in Siscia
Obverse: D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right

Reverse: FEL TEMP REPARATIO, soldier left, spearing fallen horseman, shield on ground to right; ASIS (reverse Z) in exergue

Diameter: 17 mm
Die Orientation: 1 H
Weight: 2.17 g
No notes for this coin
RIC 352; LRBC 1222; Sear 18271
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An AE Nummus struck 324-361 A.D. in Siscia
Obverse: FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C, laureate, cuirassed bust right

Reverse: GLORIA EXERCITVS, two soldiers flanking two standards.

Diameter: 18.5 mm
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 1.82 g

5

RIC VII 237
(15) Crispus
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An AE Nummus struck AD 317 in Londinium
Obverse: CRISPVS NOB CAES, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right

Reverse: SOLI INVIC-TO COMITI, Sol standing left, chlamys across left shoulder, right hand raised, left hand holding up globe; S-P across fields, PLN in exergue

Diameter: 20 mm
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 3.32 g
This coin was purchased directly from Lee Toone, author of LMCC, and is one of the plate coins from his book. He informed me that the coin originally came from a large French hoard.
CT 8.09.021 (this coin); RIC 116; Sear 16718
(16) Crispus
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An BL Nummus struck AD 322 in Treveri
Obverse: IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES, laureate and cuirassed bust to left, holding spear and shield decorated with Medusa’s head

Reverse: BEATA TRANQVILLITAS, globe on altar inscribed VOTIS XX; three stars above; PTR• in exergue

Diameter: 19 mm
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 2.71 g

A very rare and fine example of this bust type with the Medusa shield decoration. Ex. Roma Numismatics E-Sale 77; Lot 1381

RIC VII 347
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An AE Nummus struck AD 305-307 in Londinium
Obverse: D N DIOCLETIANO FELICISSIMO SEN AVG, laureate bust right, wearing imperial mantle and holding olive-branch and mappa

Reverse: PROVIDENTIA DEORVM QVIES AVGG, Providentia standing right, extending right hand to Quies who stands to left holding branch and sceptre

Diameter: 29 mm
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 11.02 g
Ex Brian Henry Grover Collection (Roma Numismatics E-Sale 72; Lot 1407)
RIC 77a; CT 4.01.002; Sear 12926; S 697
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An BL Nummus struck c. AD 296-303 in Londinium
Obverse: IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right, ornamented with wreath on breastplate

Reverse: GENIO POPVLI ROMANI, Genius standing left, holding patera and cornucopiae

Diameter: 26 mm
Die Orientation: 5 H
Weight: 9.85 g
A rarer bust type with the elaborate wreath on the breastplate. For another example see CNG e-auction 419; lot 394. Ex. Z.P. Collection (Austria)
CT 2.01.003 (15); RIC VI 6a; S 696
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An BL Nummus struck c. AD 296 in Londinium
Obverse: IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, laureate bust right

Reverse: GENIO POPVLI ROMANI, Genius standing left, holding patera and cornucopiae; LON in exergue

Diameter: 28 mm
Die Orientation: 7 H
Weight: 9.79 g

This coin came from the ‘Rauceby hoard’ that was uncovered on 9th July 2017 by two metal detectorists in Lincolnshire, UK. Interestingly, the pot that the coins were found in was buried in the centre of a large oval pit that had been lined with quarried limestone. The pot appeared to have been carefully placed onto the limestone base, and then packed all around with additional pieces of limestone all the way to the top of the pit. The Finds Liaison Officer (FLO) in Lincolnshire at the time (Dr Adam Daubney) has described this as being evidence of so-called ‘ritual’ hoarding, where the coins were used as part of a ceremonial or votive offering. The majority of the coins in the hoard cover the rule of the first tetrarchy of Diocletian/Maximian as Augusti and Constantius/Galerius as Caesars. The hoard ends with the second and third tetrarchies and does not contain any coins of Constantine I issued after he was elevated to the rank of Augustus in December 307. Therefore this would date the burial of the hoard to around AD 307. There are similarities between the Rauceby hoard and the Wold Newton hoard that was discovered near York and was deposited at a similar time. It has been said that both hoards could possibly be tied to the ascension of Constantine as Emperor in York around 307. The British Museum catalogued the coins and disclaimed 2,734 of these in January 2020. This coin was one of 14 LON coins in the hoard (of which the British Museum kept three) and one of five Diocletian LON coins. It weighed 10.77g prior to being cleaned. It is hoped that the British Museum will publish a catalogue of the coins in the near future. For further details & images of the hoard in situ go to: http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/55136

CT 1.01.001; RIC VI 1a; Ex Rauceby Hoard, Lincolnshire (9th July 2017); PAS ref: LIN-F6D516, BM ref: 2017 T649
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An AE Nummus struck 421-450 in Rome
Obverse: [DN GALLA PLACIDIA PF AVG] Diademed and draped bust of Galla Placidia to right

Reverse: SALVS REI P[VBLICE] / RM Cross; in field to left, Є

Diameter: 12.5 mm
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 1.7 g
No notes for this coin
RIC 2111
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An AE Nummus struck AD 336-337 in Constantinople
Obverse: FL HANNIBALLIANO REGI, bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right

Reverse: SECVRITAS PVBLICA, Euphrates seated right on ground, leaning on sceptre with urn at his side and reed in background; CONSS in exergue

Diameter: 16 mm
Die Orientation: 5 H
Weight: 1.44 g
No notes for this coin
RIC 147; LRBC 1036
(22) Helena
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An AE Nummus struck AD 326-328 in Thessalonica
Obverse: FL HELENA AVGVSTA, diademed and mantled bust right, wearing necklace

Reverse: SECVRITAS REIPVBLICE, Securitas standing left, lowering branch and raising robe with right hand; SMTSΓ in exergue

Diameter: 19 mm
Die Orientation: 5 H
Weight: 3.35 g
No notes for this coin
RIC 159 (Constantine I); Sear 16612
(23) Johannes
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An AE Nummus struck 423-425 in Rome
Obverse: (DN IOHAN-NES PF AVG), pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right

Reverse: VICTOR-IA AVGG, Victory walking left, holding wreath and palm, Epsilon in left field

Diameter: 10 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 1.5 g
Mintmark is off flan
RIC X 1910
(24) Johannes
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An AE Nummus struck 423-425 in Rome
Obverse: DN IOHANN-ES PF AVG, Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right

Reverse: SALVS REI-PVBLICAE, Victory walking left, holding trophy over shoulder and dragging captive. Epsilon in left field

Diameter: 12 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 1 g
No notes for this coin
RIC x 1916, Sear 21121
(25) Leo I | Verina
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An AE Nummus struck AD 467-472 in an unknown location
Obverse: DN LEO (?), Head of Leo right

Reverse: Verina standing, facing, holding a transverse scepter "b-E"

Diameter: 11 mm
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 1.2 g
No notes for this coin
RIC X 713-718
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An AE Nummus struck 450-457 AD in Thessalonica
Obverse: DN MARCIANVS PF AVG, Pearl diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right

Reverse: Monogram 1B within wreath

Diameter: 10 mm
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 1.18 g
No notes for this coin
RIC X 535
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An AE Nummus struck 425-455 AD in Rome
Obverse: DN VALENTINIANVS PF AVG, Pearl diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right.

Reverse: VICTORIA AVGG, Victory advancing left holding wreath, T in left field

Diameter: 14 mm
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 1.8 g

Rare

RIC 2121
(28) Zeno
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An AE Nummus struck 476-791 in Constantinople
Obverse: Laureate, draped bust right

Reverse: Type 5 Monogram

Diameter: 0.9 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 1.4 g
No notes for this coin
RIC X 962