Vota coins web site

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Valentinian, Jun 4, 2018.

  1. Valentinian

    Valentinian Well-Known Member

    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:

    SeptSevVOTASVSCEPTAXX.jpg
    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!
     
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  3. Sallent

    Sallent Live long and prosper

  4. Ajax

    Ajax Well-Known Member

  5. lrbguy

    lrbguy Well-Known Member

    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.
     
    gogili1977 likes this.
  6. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Geta 4.jpg
    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 7.jpg
    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 11.jpg
    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 1.jpg
    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 3.jpg
    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 3.jpg
    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
     
  7. Clavdivs

    Clavdivs Well-Known Member

    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:

    VOT_Rev.jpg VOT_Obv.jpg

    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.
    LOT2.jpg

     
  8. Severus Alexander

    Severus Alexander find me at NumisForums

    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):
    Screen Shot 2018-06-04 at 7.33.04 PM.jpg
    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.
     
  9. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Great site, @Valentinian ! Here's a Jovian from the Heraclea mint:

    Jovian VOT V Heraclea.jpg
    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.
     
  10. Jwt708

    Jwt708 Well-Known Member

    I really enjoy all the educational information you put out there - thanks for your efforts!
     
  11. Valentinian

    Valentinian Well-Known Member

    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).
     
  12. David@PCC

    David@PCC allcoinage.com

    I only have the vows by numerals.
    ri227.jpg 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

    ri231.jpg
    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

    b203.jpg
    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

    ri214.jpg 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.

    ri135.jpg 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
     
  13. Severus Alexander

    Severus Alexander find me at NumisForums

    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." :)
     
    Valentinian likes this.
  14. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    Great page! I think Vota coins would make an interesting and absorbing collecting theme.

    Here's a Maxentius QQ.
    Maxenius - Quarter Follis VOT QQ RP 1392.jpg

    A Constantine as Caesar quarter-follis from Trier. Constantine - as Caesar Vota Trier Mazzini 2573.jpg

    A Licinius VOTIS XX from Arles with no wreath (really jealous of your Licinius, @Severus Alexander)
    Licinius - Vota no Wreath Arles 2392.jpg
     
  15. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    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.jpg
    RI Jovian AE3 Sirmium mint VOT V

    RI Jovian 363-364 AE 20mm Folles LEFT Sinister VOT V.jpg
    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.jpg
    RI Magnentius 351-352 CE AE 2 Maiorina 2 Victories holding wreath VOT V

    RI Constantine II 337-340 CE AE3 VOT X.jpg
    RI Constantine II 337-340 CE AE3 VOT X

    RI Diocletian 284-305 CE AE Folles VOT XX.jpg
    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.JPG
    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.jpg
    RI Constantine I Folles 306-337 CE Captives VOTA Banner
     
  16. AngelDeath

    AngelDeath Well-Known Member

    Nice post!!!!
     
  17. Terence Cheesman

    Terence Cheesman Well-Known Member

    Marcus Aurelius Sestertius maureliuss5.jpg
     
  18. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    Decentius VOT V MVLT X from Arles
    rx7135fd3164.jpg

    Constantius II AR siliqua VOTIS XXX MVLTIS XXXX fro Thessalonika
    rx6550bb2241.jpg

    Crispus XV from Rome lacking the VOT.
    rw5690b00673lg.jpg

    VO DE (rather than VOTA X) from Commodus
    rc2525fd3433.jpg
     
  19. Cheech9712

    Cheech9712 Every thing is a guess

    I like maximianus. Romans are nice also
     
  20. Cheech9712

    Cheech9712 Every thing is a guess

  21. dlhill132

    dlhill132 Member

    Awesome site Warren, well done.

    Doug
    121b.jpg
     
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