Below is a typical (for the bust type) example of a Constantine I with VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP reverse from Siscia and here are some unofficial VLPP's copying this coin from an engraver with remarkably consistent style. Note that even the obverse busts are very similar. 17mm 2.6gm 17mm 3.1gm 15x17mm 2.1gm 16x17mm 2.4gm my page with more examples than you want to see-- http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/barb2/
I haven't read much about "barbarous" coinage and look forward to reading your page more in depth. Very interesting subject.
Fascinating coins @Victor_Clark ! I am wondering about the reasons for these issues, was it primarily to address a shortage of small change coins? It would seem that Constantine struck so many coins that this would not be necessary?
The reason that most unofficial coinage was struck was due to monetary reforms. Another reason was that after the defeat of a rival, any coinage the loser had circulating was no longer good...when Licinius lost to Constantine all the IOVI coinage tariffed at half a nummus had to be replaced quickly; same as when Magnentius lost, you could not use his coinage. There are some laws recorded in the Theodosian Code that talk about coins that were removed from circulation and how some people still tried to use them. "Emperor Constantius Augustus and Julian Caesar to Rufinus, Praetorian Prefect. If any person should be detected in melting down money or in transporting it to different regions for the purpose of selling, he shall undergo the sentence for sacrilege and shall suffer capital punishment." (Theodosian Code 9:23:1) "Finally, it is our pleasure that, if any coin except that which continues in public use, should perchance be found in the possession of any merchant, it shall be vindicated to the owner of the fisc, together with all the property of the offender. If perchance ships should come to any provinces with merchandise, everything shall be sold with the customary freedom except the coins that are usually called majorinas or common centenionals or other moneys which are known to be forbidden." (Theodosian Code 9:23:3) some dates for epidemic minting of unofficial coins A.D. 318 -330 monetary reform of Constantine--new VLPP have circa 4% silver circa 335 - between 342 to 348 in 335 A.D., the number of nummi to a pound was raised to 192 A.D. 348 introduction of the maiorina A.D. 350 usurpation of Magnentius A.D. 354 after the fall of Magnentius, the maiorinae was replaced by the half maiorinae
I am no expert and have studied this period very little but the question of barbarous that bothers me most is the large body of coins I am not comfortable deciding if they are official (on a bad day) or barbarous (by skilled workers). For example: I see the above as obviously unofficial but what about the one below? Some styles (Magnentius!) are worse than others.
Deciding on whether a coin is official or unofficial is sometimes arbitrary and often based on a "gut" feeling. Pierre Bastien wrote that some of these coins probably came from “well organized work-shops.” It appears that mint workers may have been able to "borrow" official reverse dies and use them in their workshops. So it seems almost certain that sometimes you would not be able to tell unofficial from official. These are what I would call counterfeits though-- meant to deceive, while coins like the unofficial VLPP's that I posted above were never meant to fool people. The unofficial VLPP below would have fooled people unless they really scrutinized it or happened to be familiar with Siscian VLPP's. The size and weight are even in the average range at 18x19mm and 3.1gm.
Cool coins Victor, I don't have a Siscian sombrero but do have 1 from Trier. This Magnentius has always been a fave of mine for the Obverse, looks like Data from Star Trek.
As for the border between sloppy official coins and unofficial ones, the lettering is a giveaway. A Roman mintmaster would never allow a coin that may be read like OVVVOVVVV (Off with his head! his boss would shout), whereas a faker would be happy to honor the great King Isiusiisiuisii.
