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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Ocatarinetabellatchitchix, post: 5172178, member: 99554&quot;]We all love topics about rare and uncommon coins. But my favorites are those which leave room for several members to participate in the discussion. What would be a type of which we all have at least 1 example in our collections ? The <b>CAMPGATE</b> ! Let&#039;s talk about it. </p><p><br /></p><p>Over time in the Roman Empire, borders (limes) had become the lines of defense against the barbarians tribes trying to invade the territories. Towers for observation and defence were sometimes built for the protection of the different towns. The only real campgate construction preserved from that period is Porto Negre from the city of Trier in Germany. Scientists have now managed to determine exactly when the city gate was built, thanks to ancient wood that was found in archaeological digs. It was built in 170 AD.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EL2VFODv7TQ/Wl-OqZ0hkRI/AAAAAAACIVI/3xw9RQXD9yU8ixO31jtX87MAgNOAYDd4QCLcBGAs/s1600/Porta-Nigra-05.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p>The 4th century <b>campgate</b> bronze reverses and their turrets have relatively recently been reinterpreted as depicting signal towers and the &#039;turrets&#039; actually being some kind of beacon. This is the most recent comprehension but there have been others; they have been interpreted as soldiers or statues of eagles or the Caesars.</p><p>The <b>campgate</b> specimen depict a block structure with varying decorations and details. On some, the doors are indicated; but very often the door is merely an opening. Some are simple block structures; some have other ornaments on some blocks. Rows of blocks generally vary from 3 to 15. On top of the block are 2, 3 or 4 turrets or beacons; 2 being most commonly seen. A 6 or 8 pointed star normally appears between the two ‘turrets’ on those examples. Dots may occur in the doorway and over the turrets;&nbsp; in most examples the dots above the turrets are connected to them by what seems to be a vertical pole or shaft.</p><p>The earliest examples of this type are from Emperor Diocletian and date to approximately 296, but we can find similar design earlier even on Provincial issues like this one from Gordian III: </p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1211141[/ATTACH] </p><p>Gordian III Marcianopolis&nbsp; City gates with 2 towers</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Campgates</b> were produced in industrial quantities during two periods: the reigns of Licinius and Constantine the Great and their sons and especially 316-319 AD and then 324-330 AD by Constantine. Here is the list of Emperors who issued coins of this type: Diocletian, Galerius, Maximinus II, Constantine I and II, Crispus, Constantius I and II, Licinius I and II, Valentinian I and II and III, Arcadius, Theodosius I, Gratian, Valens, Magnus Maximus , Flavius Victor, Honorius.</p><p><br /></p><p>Many different monetary workshop also produced coins of this type : Cyzicus, London, Lyons, Trier, Arles, Rome, Ticinum, Siscia, Thessalonica, Hereclea, Constantinople, Nicomedia, Antioch, Alexandria, Aquileia and maybe Carthage. </p><p><br /></p><p>Now here is the challenge: how many different examples can we find in our collections ? <b>Please show us your campgate</b>, and do not forget to describe the number of turrets, rows of blocks, stars....</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1211144[/ATTACH]&nbsp; </p><p>Constantius II Nicomedia: 2 turrets, 8 rows, 8 pointed star, no door.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1211143[/ATTACH] </p><p>Crispus Rome: 2 turrets, 6 rows, 8 pointed star, no door.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1211142[/ATTACH] </p><p>Licinius I&nbsp; Heraclea: 3 turrets, 7 rows, no star, no door.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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