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Message:: [QUOTE="Valentinian, post: 4530435, member: 44316"]The purpose of the "AE#" descriptions is communication. They answer, "How big is the coin?" If we know the denomination, say, "It is a dupondius," that tells you. However, in the 4th C we don't know the names of most denominations, so the rough scale AE1 through AE4 was invented for 4th C coins.  It was not intended for 3rd C or earlier coins. In the 4th C, provincials did not exist. On the other hand, AE27 can be used to say a coin is base metal (mostly copper) and 27 mm in diameter. That works for imperial coins and provincial coins. We don't know the denominations of many provincial coins, either. But, whenever we know the denomination, say, a dupondius from the earlier empire, we would not call it an AE1 because of its size (even though the size is right for an AE1) because we have a better name for it. But we might call it an AE27 because it is a more-precise description of the size and size matters to desirability. I'd rather have an AE27 than a AE25 of the same type. So, in summary, you can properly use AE1 through AE4 for late Roman AE (but not for others). You can use AE27 for any ancient coin of base metal and 27 mm diameter, late Roman, earlier Roman, provincial, Greek, you name it.[/QUOTE]