|
"Not in RIC" is a supplement to the volumes VI and VII of RIC (The Roman Imperial Coimage). The general arrangement, nearly all conventions and most of the descriptions are taken from RIC. There is also no revolution in coin numbers. For example, "HERACLEA 67" refers strictly to the RIC number and "HERACLEA [after 67]" means that in the author's opinion an unlisted coin should be placed there, i.e. after HERACLEA 67, according to the rules established in RIC. However, it is sometimes an arbitrary decision.
When attributing a particular specimen as unlisted, be sure that you have checked Corrigenda first. Sometimes coin is in fact listed in RIC, but with incorrect or unclear description. For example, very common RIC VII HERACLEA 48 is erroneously described as having bust turned left. Keep in mind that not all kinds of "unlisted details" are taken into account. For example, unlisted decorations of shields, helmets, altars and so on, are usually omitted. The main reason is that RIC in principle gives only examples of such details, without any intention of being exhaustive. Also legend break is not an essential part of description (cf. footnotes on p. 111-115 in RIC VII with constantly repeated phrases "breaks unknown", "breaks not recorded" etc.). There are, however, not so rare exceptions. Sometimes different decoration of altar makes a separate entry in RIC tables (cf. RIC VII ARLES 185-189). Also coins which are virtually identical except for different legend breaks are sometimes listed under a separate RIC number. The last rule applies especially to gold (cf. RIC VI TREVERI 802 and 807 or RIC VII TRIER 27-31 or RIC VII TRIER 575 and 576 but cf. for the contrary RIC VI TREVERI 812 and 814 or RIC VI ROMA 113 with many different rev. breaks listed under one RIC number) and silver coins (cf. RIC VI SISCIA 34a-38b or RIC VI SISCIA 61 and 62) but in some rare cases also to bronze coins (cf. RIC VII TRIER 260 and 262 or TRIER 263 and 264 or RIC VII CONSTANTINOPLE 147 and 148). Also, not every single dot/pellet is assumed to be important. Most unexpected "unlisted dots" are accidental (deposits, die cracks) or non-essential (centering marks), as well as missing ones. Again, there are exceptions to this. Another category consists of IRREGULAR COINS, i.e. ancient counterfeits; so-called "barbarous imitations", "ancient imitations", "contemporary imitations", "imitative coins" or "unofficial coins". Formally, these coins should not be listed among the imperial coinage, but there are quite a lot of exceptions. First, because RIC (especially in volume VII) also mentions them in footnotes. Second, because they are sometimes interesting and could tell us more about the official coinage. Third, because not infrequently it is hard (or even impossible) to distinguish between official and unofficial coin. Additionally, there are large groups of coins, which are completely absent from RIC VI and VII. For example, anonymous silver coinage (catalogued by Bendall), pagan coinage of the Great Persecution and Festival of Isis coinage (catalogued in Alföldi and Vagi). They are also absent from this supplement, but with some exceptions.
Remember that there is a section called ABBREVIATIONS. Useful if you need to decipher something like "cuir." or Bikić-Do Hoard.
Click on
There is also a search engine powered by Freefind. It could be useful as well. |
will bring you enlarged picture (sometimes needs a moment).