The weights were established in the republic, but I will concentrate on the coins listed. Typically used on commemorative issues, and in silver, they were struck to commemorate two cities: Rome and Constantinople. K for Constantinople, and P or R for Rome (others do exist!). Originally struck to commemorate Rome and the newly founded Constantinople, roughly 330 to 346 AD and both being minted in Constantinople. Sometimes referred to as half/third Siliqua due to their small size and close to 1 gram weight, Kent calls them Scripulum relating them to 1:288th of a Roman pound. The 4th century examples are of a ‘finer’ style, while there also exist a ‘courser’ style associated with the centennial and bicentennial celebrations of Constantinople circa 430 and 530 AD. It is easy to distinguish the two types, this one being the 4th century courtesy of http://www.coinarchives.com/cdad43471763834a4c3495ea2bd54d2c/img/savoca/007/image00597.jpg and my latest addition below being the latter type. The greatest distinguishing feature being the wider, higher relief, and more defined lines of the earlier issues. The dating of the latter issues is not yet set in stone as many disagree on those dates, and possible future hoard or archeological evidence may shed some light on it. Dedicated to Constantinople Mint: Constantinople 5th/6th centuries AD Helmeted, draped, and cuirassed bust of Constantinopolis right. Large K AR Scripulum 13x15mm, 1.07g Bendall 8c Constantinople in the early Byzantine period
