Glossary of Ancient Coin Collecting Terms

Words and terms associated with ancient Roman coinage.

Term	Definition
Aegis	a small cloak decorated with a gorgon's head in the center.
Aes	non-precious metal used for the production of coins.
Akakia	A scroll-like object with knobs on it's ends, this took the place of the mappa as a symbol of imperial authority.
Aspergillum	a whisk or sprinkler associated with religious rituals, it appeared on coinage as a symbol of the Roman priesthood of the Pontifices.
Aspron Trachy	The electrum (white gold) concave coin.
Augustus	title conferred upon Octavian by the senate in 27 B.C. as part of the constitutional settlement following his victory at Actium. This title was the equivalent of the English term 'emperor'.
Biga	a chariot drawn by a team of two animals, usually horses.
Billon	low grade alloy of silver.
Binio	a double unit, this term is most often applied to the gold multiple aurei coinage of the 3rd century.
Brockage	a mis-struck coin resulting from the failure of mint personnel to remove a coin which had lodged in the reverse, or upper die, after having been minted. The new coin would receive two obverse impressions, one from the obverse die and the other from the lodged coin. The impression from the lodged coin would be incuse (recessed). Brockage coins with two reverses are much rarer due to the lodged coin being visible in the lower die, and the new coin blank having to be placed upon it.
Bust	a portrait which includes the head and shoulders.
Caduceus	the wand of Mercury, having snakes and wings as ornamentation.
Caesar	originated with the family name of Julius Caesar, taken by Augustus upon his adoption. It was then passed on to Tiberius and Caligula by adoption, and upon either their accession, adoption, or their nomination as heir-apparent to subsequent emperors.
Celator	coin die engraver in ancient times.
Chalmys	The purple mantle worn by the Emperor, it was fastened at the right shoulder with a decorative cloth and pin.
Christogram	the Christian monogram, consisting of the Greek letters Chi and Rho (XP = Chr{ist}).
Cippus	a short round pillar.
Cista	a basket used for the housing of sacred snakes in connection with the initiation ceremony into the cult of Bacchus (Dionysus).
Colobium	A short tunic worn as an undergarment.
Congiarium	a public distribution of food or money.
Conjoined	two or more heads placed side by side.
Consul	title given to the two leading magistrates of the Roman republic, elected annually.
Contorniate	late Roman aes medallions which appear to have been minted in Rome in the late 4th and 5th centuries.
Cornucopiae	the horn of plenty, usually overflowing with fruits.
Cuirassed	wearing armor, of leather and/or metal, which covers the upper body and shoulders.
Curule chair	folding camp-stool.
Decastyle	used to describe a building with ten columns.
Decursio	used to describe rapid military maneuvers, especially equestrian.
Diademed	wearing a tied ribbon or string of pearls on the head.
Die	the stamp from which a coin blank receives it's design through the process of striking.
Distyle	used to describe a building with two columns.
Divitision	A long belted tunic with close fitting sleeves.
Draped	wearing a cloak over the shoulders.
Electrum	alloy of gold and silver (at least 20%) of varying purity.
Equestrian	mounted on horseback, or relating to horse riding.
Exercitus	'army'.
Exergue	the small space on the reverse of a coin below the principle device. Commonly abbreviated as ex.
Fasces	bundle of rods bound together which, when accompanied by an axe, symbolize the authority of the highest Roman magistrates.
Field	the area surrounding the principle obverse or reverse element.
Flan	the metal blank used for striking between two dies for the production of a coin.
Fourree	a plated coin with a base metal core, usually covered by silver but sometimes gold. This usually indicates a counterfeit but some may have been produced with official mint dies.
Globus Cruciger	orb.
Graffiti	letters or marks scratched into the surface of a coin in ancient times.
Head	a portrait without the person's shoulders showing.
Helmeted	wearing a helmet, usually of a ceremonial nature.
Hexastyle	used to describe a building with six columns.
Hybrid	a coin which has an obverse and a reverse die incorrectly combined.
Imperator	traditionally the honorific which was granted to a Roman commander by his troops after a victory.
Incuse	a design which is recessed into the surface of the flan.
Janiform	two heads joined back to back, usually in the manner of the god Janus.
Jugate	heads side by side, in profile, usually of an emperor and empress.
Labarum	a Roman military standard, ornamented with the Christian monogram from the time of Constantine the Great.
Laureate	wearing a wreath of laurel leaves.
Legend	the principal inscription appearing on the obverse and reverse of a coin.
Legionary eagle	the principal standard of the Roman Legion. normally affixed to a spear, the eagle was usually make of silver, this being the metal visible at the greatest distance.
Lituus	a short curving staff used in religious ceremonies.
Loros	A rectangular piece of cloth, or scarf, by which the Emperor is symbolically projected as the visible representative of Christ.
Manus Dei	the 'Hand of God', a Christian image which appears on some coins from the late 4th century on wards in the form of a right hand holding a diadem above the head of the Emperor. Indicating divine sanction of the Emperor's authority.
Maphorion	The veil worn by the Virgin.
Mappa	A roll of cloth tossed into the stadium to start the games.
Mint mark	letters and/or symbols indicating the place of mintage of a coin, and sometimes the workshop (officina) responsible for the coins production.
Modius	a measure of wheat or any dry or solid commodity, containing the third part of an amphora. In form it resembled an inverted bucket standing on three legs. The god Serapis is usually shown wearing it on his head, as god of the corn supply as well as of the underworld.
Moneyer	the official responsible for issuing coins.
Mule	a coin which has an obverse and a reverse die incorrectly combined.
Nimbate	wearing a nimbus or halo surrounding the head.
Nimbus Cruciger	halo with cross.
Octastyle	used to describe a building with eight columns.
Officina	a monetary workshop within a mint.
Orichalcum	brass, a yellowish alloy of copper and zinc, used extensively during the Imperial period principally for the production of the sestertius and dupondius.
Palladium	an ancient sacred image of Athena (Minerva).
Parazonium	a short sheathed sword (or large dagger), usually worn at the waist.
Pater Patriae
Patera	a broad flat bowl or dish for drinking or pouring libations.
Pileus	the cap of Liberty.
Planchet	the metal blank used for striking between two dies for the production of a coin.
Pontifex Maximus	meaning 'chief priest', adopted by Augustus upon the death of Lepidus in 13 B.C. and assumed by all later Emperors upon their accession. This practice was not abandoned until 383 A.D. by Gratian.
Potent	Term used to describe a cross with a bar at the end of each arm.
Potin	A low grade alloy of silver.
Quadriga	a chariot drawn by a team of four animals, usually horses.
Radiate	wearing a spiky crown, symbolic of the sun-god Sol.
Serratus	serrati were Roman Republican denarii with notched or serrated edges.
Signum	a military standard.
Simpulum	a sacrificial vessel in the form of a ladle with a long handle.
Standard	a military ensign (signum) borne by a signifier as an emblem of a cohort within a legion.
Tessara	a square tablet marked with points representing gifts such as corn, oil, or money. An attribute of the personification Liberalitas.
Tetrastyle	used to describe a building with four columns.
Togate	(figure) wearing the Roman toga.
Trachy	The Greek term for a concave coin, also called a scyphate.
Tribuniciae potestatis	tribunician power which each Emperor was given upon his accession, this power was renewed each year upon the anniversary of the first conferral, or on 10 December from the reign of Trajan on. The tribunician power gave the Emperor immunity from prosecution, the right to introduce legislation and to veto laws, elections, or the actions of other magistrates.  Due to this power being renewed each year it is possible to date a coin to a particular 12 month period by the number following the tribunician power (TP) on a coin.
Trident	a three pronged fishing spear, associated with Neptune.
Triga	a chariot drawn by a team of three animals, usually horses.
Tripod	a three legged stand, usually serving to support a seat or large bowl.
Triskeles	a device comprising three human legs joined at the hip and radiating from a central point.
Trophy	the arms of a vanquished enemy set up to commemorate victory over them.
Turreted	wearing a crown in the form of a city wall with towers or battlements.
Variety	variant of the coin that has been described in the catalog number which has been cited, often abbreviated as var.
Vexillum	military standard consisting of a square shaped piece of cloth bearing a device suspended from a cross bar attached to a pole.
Vota	a vow made to a god in order to obtain a divine favor stipulated in advance.