Roman emperors took vows (VOTA) promising to do something for the gods if the gods did something the emperor wanted. The emperor wanted a long reign, of course, and many coin types mention "VOT X"-- vows for ten years of reign. If the emperor made it to ten years, there would be a ceremony at which the old vows were paid, and new vows taken (SVSCEPTA) for twenty: Septimius Severus (AD 193-211). Denarius. 19 mm. VOTA SVSCEPTA XX, the emperor veiled and draped as a priest sacrificing, pouring from a patera over a flaming altar, with legend RIC 308 "202-210". Sear 6393. BMC 375 "201-210". Today I posted a large web site on vota coins: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/VOTA/ The main page outlines the subject and illustrates a representative selection of types. Coins that record vows are common and there are too many types to list them. A glance down the main page is probably enough for most readers. However, it you get interested, there are many links on the main page to related types, many more examples, and related discussions (such as how we date them). Show us a Roman coin that mentions vows!
I hope you addressed the distinction between Vota coinage and "Votive" coinage. There is a sogenannten expert on the matter out there blurring/confusing the distinction who will not be told otherwise.
GETA AR Denarius OBVERSE: GETA CAES PONT COS, draped bust right REVERSE: VOTA PVBLICA, Geta standing left, sacrificing out of patera over tripod & holding roll Struck at Rome, 205 AD 3.18g, 18mm RIC IV 38b CARACALLA AR Denarius OBVERSE: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate head right REVERSE: VOTA SVSCEPTA X, Caracalla veiled, standing left, sacrificing out of patera over tripod altar Struck at Rome, 206-210 AD 3.4g, 18mm RIC 179 MAXIMIANUS AE Post reform radiate OBVERSE: IMP C M A MAXIMIANVS PF AVG, radiate bust right REVERSE: / VOT dot XX S in three lines within laurel wreath Struck at Ticinum, 299 AD 2.33 grs. 19.50 mm RIC RIC 36b CRISPUS AE3 OBVERSE: FL IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES, laureate, draped & cuirassed bust left REVERSE: CAESARVM NOSTRORVM around VOT X within wreath, TS-Delta-VI in ex. Struck at Thessalonica 324 AD 2.5g, 17mm RIC 125 CRISPUS AE3 OBVERSE: IVL CRISPVS NOB C; laureate head right REVERSE: CAESARVM NOSTRORVM; VOT X in wreath; ΔSIS wreath in exergue Struck at Siscia 321-324 AD 2.9g, 18.5mm RIC VII Siscia 178 Ex JAZ Numismatics CONSTANS AE4 OBVERSE: DN CONSTANS PF AVG, diademed bust right REVERSE: / VOT XX MVLT XXX in wreath. Mintmark SMKA Struck at Cyzicus 347-348 AD 2.4g, 14mm RIC VIII 48
Great site Valentinian! Great information - Thank you! I only have a very rough example from an uncleaned lot. I had not even started attributing this bunch but looking at your site it seems it is from the Thessalonica mint?? Still more investigation required. Most of the legend is lost on this coin - but I was able to get a lot of detail on the bust: I purchased this lot in December. I have spent A LOT of time cleaning and now the fun will begin as I attempt to attribute this portion.. still have some soaking that may not amount to anything.. but I am very happy with the overall results. I know most of you will probably be able to do this very quickly but I will take my time and learn all that I can.
Fantastic new site, Warren!! Here is my most unusual Vota coin, issued for Licinius I in 313, attributed to the Antioch mint (Failmezger 264LI, not in RIC): This is a vota soluta for 5 years, and suscepta for 10. It seems it is the first quinquennalia mentioned on a coin with a "V" rather than QQ as on the Maxentius coins. (Which might necessitate a small revision on your page?) I enjoy the nice fat wreath, carefully engraved.
Great site, @Valentinian ! Here's a Jovian from the Heraclea mint: Jovian, AD 363-364. Roman Æ centenionalis, 3.06 g, 19.2 mm, 6 h. Heraclea, AD 363-364. Obv: D N IOVIAN-VS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust, left. Rev: VOT / V, legend within wreath; HERACA in exergue. Refs: RIC viii, p. 439, 108; RCV 19218; LRBC II 1912; Cohen 32.
Thank you, @Severus Alexander . I omitted that rare issue of Licinius. The Maxentius "QQ" issue is attributed to c. 310, which may still be the first. Whoever first put your Licinius in 313 may have thought it was for the 5th year vows paid (308+5 = 313), but there is a lot of evidence that those types with two vow numbers were issued before the low-number year on the coin, so it could be, and likely is, earlier than 313. Anyway, one thing I love about web sites is that they are easy to change to accommodate new information. If someone looks at the main page now, they will now find Licinius mentioned alongside the Maxentius issue that I said was the earliest mentioning a 5-year celebration (as opposed to 10 or more years).
I only have the vows by numerals. Constantine I Heraclea mint 327 to 329 AD AE Follis Obvs: CONSTANTINVS AVG, Ladder diademed right. Revs: DN CONSTANTINI MAX AVG, VOT XXX within Laurel wreath. •SMHA 17x19mm, 3.16g RIC VII 90 Valens Mint: Antioch 367 to 375 AD AR Siliqua Obvs: DN VALENS PER F AVG, Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed right. Revs: VOT X MVLT XX, in laurel wreath. ANTH 17x19mm, 1.59g Ref: RIC IX 34d.9 Justinian I 540 to 541 AD Mint: Carthage AE Nummus Obvs: Justinian diademed, draped, and cuirass right. Revs: VOT XIIII within wreath. 9x10mm, .75g DO 303, Sear 279 Constantine II Mint: Rome 320 AD AE Follis Obvs: CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C, Laureate draped and cuir. Revs: VOT X ET XV F PR, in three lines within laurel wreath. 19x20mm, 3.22g Ref: cf. RIC VII.209 Note: Mint mark P not known for this RIC entry. Only S & Q are recorded. Possibly unpublished. Constantine I Trier mint 322 AD AE 3 Obvs: CONSTANTINVS AVG, helmeted bust Revs: BEATA TRANQVILLITAS. Alter inscribed VOTIS XX. PTR· 19mm, 2.7g Ref: 2003 RIC VII.194.341
Interesting! It is quite a small coin (21mm and 3.73g, actually on the high end for the type) so I doubt it would be earlier than 312. I'd say the Maxentius QQ is safe as the first. Mine just gets to be "first with a V."
Great page! I think Vota coins would make an interesting and absorbing collecting theme. Here's a Maxentius QQ. A Constantine as Caesar quarter-follis from Trier. A Licinius VOTIS XX from Arles with no wreath (really jealous of your Licinius, @Severus Alexander)
Hmmm, well, I am going to dump my VOT's then I am going to educate myself to @Valentinian 's site... I do not collect this late in the Empire, so I admit I am no expert. Any comments would be most welcome! RI Jovian AE3 Sirmium mint VOT V RI Jovian 363-364 AE 20mm Folles LEFT Sinister VOT V RI Magnentius 351-352 CE AE 2 Maiorina 2 Victories holding wreath VOT V RI Constantine II 337-340 CE AE3 VOT X RI Diocletian 284-305 CE AE Folles VOT XX RI Constantine I AVG Follis Votive XX seated captives 2.69g 18mm RIC VII 191 London RI Constantine I Folles 306-337 CE Captives VOTA Banner
Decentius VOT V MVLT X from Arles Constantius II AR siliqua VOTIS XXX MVLTIS XXXX fro Thessalonika Crispus XV from Rome lacking the VOT. VO DE (rather than VOTA X) from Commodus