<\/p>\n Aplustre<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0the curved decorative extension of the stern-post of a warship, usually of spread form composed of several frond-like elements. Apex<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0the hat worn by certain Roman priests, originally referring to the rod or spike surmounting the headdress.<\/a><\/p>\n Aquila<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0(see\u00a0Legionary eagle<\/a>) Aspergillum<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0a whisk or sprinkler associated with religious rituals, appearing on the coinage as a symbol of the Roman priesthood of the Pontifices (this word was not used by the ancient authors and is of relatively modern derivation). Biga<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0a chariot drawn by a team of two animals, usually horses. Billon<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0an impure alloy containing less than 50% of silver, sometimes declining to less than 5%. It is especially associated with the debased imperial tetradrachms of Alexandria and with the Roman antoninianus denomination in the 3rd century, though it is commonly encountered in the 4th century also. Binio<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0a double unit, a term most commonly applied to the gold multiple aurei of the 3rd century which frequently show the emperor with a radiate crown. Brockage<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0a mis-struck piece resulting from the failure of the mint personnel to remove a coin which had stuck in the reverse or upper die after minting. As a result, the next blank to be struck received the impression of the obverse of the previous coin instead of that of the reverse die, thus producing a coin with two obverses (one of them\u00a0incuse<\/a>\u00a0and a mirror version of the other). Brockages are most commonly encountered on denarii of the Roman Republic, but occur also on coins of all denominations in the Imperial series. Reverse brockages are much rarer and more difficult to explain as they would require a new blank to be placed on top of an existing piece which had remained in the obverse or lower die after striking. Caduceus<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0the staff of Mercury, messenger of the gods, usually winged and ornamented with snakes.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Carpentum<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0a two-wheeled enclosed carriage permission to use which in central Rome was initially granted only to married women and, from early Imperial times, was restricted to a very select few. Carpenta appear on coins of a number of empresses in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, drawn by mules and most frequently in connection with posthumous honours. Christogram<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0the Christian monogram, consisting of the Greek letters Chi and Rho = [Khr]istos). Cippus<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0a squared stone pillar, usually bearing a commemorative inscription and set up as a monument or boundary marker. Cista<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0(or cista mystica), a basket used for housing sacred snakes in connection with the initiation ceremony into the cult of Bacchus (Dionysus). Cognomen<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0one of the three principal elements of a Roman name (praenomen, nomen, cognomen) it indicated the family name of the individual (e.g. Gaius Julius\u00a0CAESAR). Usually acquired by an ancestor as a nickname indicating a personal characteristic the cognomen was afterwards inherited, thus becoming a family designation. Congiarium<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0a ceremony in which the emperor distributed money to the citizenry. On the coinage of the 1st and 2nd centuries AD it is usually commemorated by an elaborate scene depicting the emperor atop a lofty platform, sometimes accompanied by the personification Liberalitas and with the legend\u00a0CONGIARIVM\u00a0or an abbreviated form (see also\u00a0Liberalitas<\/a>). Conjoined<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0(see\u00a0Jugate<\/a>) Contorniate<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0late Roman aes medallions which appear to have been produced in Rome in the late 4th and 5th centuries and are characterized by an incised border surrounding the obverse and reverse types. The designs are pagan and clearly betray a close connection with the circus and amphitheatre. They may well be associated with the anti-Christian sympathies of many of the late Roman aristocracy. Their purpose is unknown, though it has been speculated that they were used as entrance tokens, as counters in a board game, or as new-year’s gifts. Like the earlier non-monetary medallions they have been excluded from this catalogue as they do not form part of the Roman coinage. Cornucopiae<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0(plural cornuacopiae), the horn of plenty signifying prosperity, it is usually depicted overflowing with fruits and other agricultural produce. Although occasionally shown on its own, it more commonly appears as an attribute of an allegorical personification. Curule chair<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0a folding stool with curved legs, it was symbolic of the highest or ‘curule’ magistracies in Rome (consulship, praetorship, and curule aedileship). It was said to derive from the seat placed in the royal chariot from which the Etruscan kings dispensed justice. Decastyle<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0(see\u00a0Tetrastyle<\/a>) Decennalia<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0the tenth anniversary of an emperor’s rule, marked by the redemption of previous vows (vota soluta) and the undertaking of new ones (vota suscepta). It was often commemorated on the coinage by a depiction of the emperor sacrificing at an altar or by an inscription within a votive wreath. The quinquennalia (five years) and vicennalia (twenty years) were similarly celebrated, the latter of course far less frequently (see also\u00a0Vota<\/a>).\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Decursio<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0a word used to describe rapid military manoeuvres, especially equestrian. Scenes of Nero galloping on horseback, accompanied by one or more of his soldiers, feature prominently on sestertii of AD 64-7. Designatus<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0qualifies an individual who has been elected to future office but has not yet taken up the appointment. Most commonly encountered on the Imperial coinage on issues belonging to the end of the year, just prior to the emperor’s assumption of a new consulship on January 1st (e.g.\u00a0COS II DES III P P). Diademed<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0wearing a form of head-dress indicating royalty. An eastern custom adopted by the Greek kings and queens of the Hellenistic age, the diadem is not generally worn by Roman emperors until the late Roman period, commencing with Constantine (though empresses are frequently depicted diademed at a much earlier period). The late Imperial diadem was usually ornamented with pearls and\/or rosettes. Die<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0the stamp from which a coin blank receives its design through the process of striking. Although very few have survived from ancient times, it seems clear that Greek and Roman dies were made of bronze or of iron and bore designs engraved usually in intaglio to produce a coin type in relief. The lower or anvil die would have received the obverse design and was engraved on the flat face of a cylinder which was then inserted into a circular aperture in an anvil block. The reverse die was engraved on the flat face of a cone or wedge. The top of this would have received the hammer blow after it had been placed above the heated blank which was resting on the anvil die. It has been estimated that this simple process could have produced at least ten thousand coins from a single pair of dies, possibly far more in the case of softer precious metals. Distyle<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0(see Tetrastyle) Equestrian relating to horse-riding, the word derives from the Latin equus (‘horse’) . In the Roman social order the Equites formed a class second only to the senators. They originated from men who were selected for their special military abilities and were provided with a horse for the service of the state in wartime. Exercitus<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0‘army’. Encountered on Hadrian’s series of coins issued to honour the provincial armies throughout his Empire (EXERCITVS SYRIACVS, EXERC BRITANNICVS, etc.). More general types celebrate the military establishment with inscriptions such as\u00a0GLORIA EXERCITVS and VIRTVS EXERCITI. Also used in appeals for loyalty during unsettled times (CONCORDIA EXERCITVVM, FIDES EXERCITVVM). Exergue<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0the small space (generally on the reverse of a coin) below the principal type, from which it is usually separated by the ‘exergual’ line. On the later Roman coinage it was utilized for the main element of the mint mark. Fasces<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0literally ‘faggots’, it was used to describe bundles of rods bound together which, accompanied by an axe, symbolize the authority of the highest Roman magistrates. Field<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0the area surrounding the principal obverse or reverse type, in which may be placed subsidiary symbols or letters (often elements of the mint mark on coins of the later Empire). Flan<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0(also planchet), the metal blank of correct size and weight which has been prepared for striking between a pair of dies. Fourr\u00e9e<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0a plated counterfeit coin with base metal core, usually in imitation of a silver denomination, though occasionally of gold. This normally indicates an unofficial product, though some fourr\u00e9e appear to have been produced from official dies at the mint. Gens<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0a group of Roman families sharing a common nomen, indicated by the second element of a personal name. Thus, Gaius Julius Caesar and the Republican moneyer Lucius Julius Bursio both belonged to the Gens Julia, whilst Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus was a member of the Gens Pompeia (see also\u00a0Nomen<\/a>). Graffiti<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0‘scratches’, letters and other marks scratched on the surface of a coin in ancient times to identify its owner. Hexastyle<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0(see\u00a0Tetrastyle<\/a>) Hybrid<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0(also mule), a coin on which the obverse and reverse designs are incorrectly combined. Incuse<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0a design which is recessed into the surface of the flan rather than protruding in relief. Although frequently encountered on Greek coins this characteristic is very rare in the Roman series, being confined to the legends on certain quadrigati and denarii of the Republican series. Janiform<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0two heads joined back to back in the manner of the god Janus. Jugate<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0(also conjoined), two or more heads placed side by side. Not commonly encountered on Roman coins, though it does appear in both the Republican and Imperial series. Labarum<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0a late Roman military standard ornamented with the Christian monogram (Christogram). Laureate<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0wearing a wreath composed of laurel leaves. Originally associated with the god Apollo, and the standard head-dress of the emperors until the late Roman period. Legend<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0the principal inscription appearing on the obverse and reverse of a coin, as opposed to a mint mark or mark of value. Legionary eagle<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0(also aquila), the principal standard of the Roman legion. Normally affixed to a spear, the eagle was usually made of silver, this being the metal visible at the greatest distance. Liberalitas<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0a ceremony in which the emperor distributed money to the citizenry. On the coinage of the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD it is usually commemorated by an elaborate scene depicting the emperor atop a lofty platform, accompanied by the personification Liberalitas and with the legend LIBERALITAS or an abbreviated form. Sometimes the figure of Liberalitas appears alone (see also\u00a0Congiarium<\/a>). Lituus<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0a short curving staff used in religious ceremonies of divination to mark out an area for the observation of birds. It appears on the coinage as a symbol of the Roman priesthood of the Augures. Lyre<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0a string instrument with a rounded sound box at the bottom, traditionally made from the shell of a tortoise, and thin curving arms forming the uprights of the frame. It was believed to have been invented by the Greek god Hermes (Roman Mercury). Manus Dei<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0‘Hand of God’, a Christian image which appears on some coins from the late 4th century onwards in the form of a right hand holding a diadem above the emperor’s head. The symbolism indicates that the temporal ruler of the Empire is receiving divine sanction for his authority. Mappa<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0originally the white napkin dropped by an emperor or magistrate as a starting signal at the Circus, in late Roman iconography it came to be a used as one of the principal attributes of the consuls. Mint mark<\/b>\u00a0letters and symbols indicating the place of mintage of a coin and sometimes also the responsible workshop (officina) within the establishment. The precise form of the mark can often be a useful indication of chronology. Modius<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0a measure of wheat, or any dry or solid commodity, containing the third part of an amphora. In form it resembled an inverted bucket standing on three legs. Serapis is usually shown wearing it on his head to denote his portrayal as god of the corn supply. Mule<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0(see\u00a0Hybrid<\/a>) Mural crown<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0(see\u00a0Turreted<\/a>) Nimbate<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0wearing a nimbus or halo surrounding the head. Indicating an aura of glory or power, it was associated with the sun god Sol (Greek Helios) who was sometimes shown with a radiate nimbus in place of the usual radiate crown. Antoninus Pius was the first emperor to appear nimbate (on the reverse of a sestertius) and although seen more frequently in the late Roman period it was never a common iconographic feature. Nomen<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0(see also\u00a0Gens<\/a>), one of the three principal elements of a Roman name (praenomen, nomen, cognomen) it indicated the clan to which the individual’s family belonged (e.g. Gaius\u00a0JULIUSCaesar). It was borne also by women (with a feminine ending, e.g.\u00a0JULIA). Obverse<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0from the Latin obversus (‘turned towards’) the obverse is the ‘front’ of a coin bearing what is considered to be the more important of the two designs struck on a flan. The earliest Greek coins bore only a single type engraved on the lower (anvil) die, whilst the upper (punch) die consisted of a simple raised square. This effectively held the flan in place during striking and produced the well known incuse which typifies the reverses of the archaic Greek coinage. The anvil die thus came to be regarded as providing the chief element of a coin’s design. Octastyle<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0(see Tetrastyle) Officina\u00a0\u00a0one of the separate workshops within a mint establishment. From the mid-3rd century AD the products of an officina are often identified by a letter or numeral in the reverse field or exergue. Later, they are sometimes combined with the mint name, e.g. R P = 2nd officina of Roma; ANT = 4th officina of Antioch. Orichalcum<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0= brass, a yellowish alloy of copper with zinc. It was used extensively for coinage in the Imperial period, principally for the sestertius and dupondius denominations. As the dupondius was not significantly heavier than its half, the copper as, orichalcum was clearly more highly prized, perhaps being officially overvalued to the benefit of the government. Palladium<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0a statue of Pallas-Athena (hence the name) reputedly stolen from Troy and subsequently brought to Italy by Aeneas. It was held in great reverence by the Romans who, because of its renowned protective powers, regarded it as the guardian of their city.![\"Rare](\"http:\/\/www.davidsear.com\/spacer.gif\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/i><\/i><\/span>Abacus<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Acrostolium<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Adlocutio<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Adventus<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Aegis<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Aes<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>\u2022<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
\n![\"David](\"http:\/\/www.davidsear.com\/academy\/images\/glossary_top.gif\")
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