Camp Gates

A common reverse type of the early 4th century is the camp gate with the inscription PROVIDENTIAE AVGG (or CAESS) referring to the Foresight of the Augusti (or the Caesars). The type was started by Licinius in 316 at the mint of Heraclea, though the type was also adopted by Constantine and others in 317. The type was produced at fourteen separate mints until 330, with as many as twelve mints operating concurrently in 326.

Although the design is straightforward - a camp gate - there are many variations. A number of these are shown below.

The usual style is a camp gate with two turrets and star above. The outline of the gate is solid, the bricks are plain, and the lower part of the gate is flat. The number of bricks in the gate varies, though generally the number is considerable.

Although the number is usually considerable, campgates can appear with very few bricks.

The left and right edge of the gate, as well as the doorway, can be dotted.

Each of the bricks in the the upper layer of bricks can contain a pellet.

The upper and lower rows can both have bricks that contain pellets.

A single pellet can appear above the exergue - on this coin it is in the door. This pellet is part of the mintmark.

A pellet may also appear in the field - in the right field of this coin, and it is also part of the mintmark.

This coin has a pellet in the upper left corner of the gate which is likely an error.

The bottom of the camp gate is usually flat, but it can be found resting on a base.

Though usually found with two turrets and a star, the type exists with three turrets.

It can also be found with four turrets and open doors.

Please direct comments to calkinsc@lotn.org

The usual style is a camp gate with two turrets and star above. The outline of the gate is solid, the bricks are plain, and the lower part of the gate is flat. The number of bricks in the gate varies, though generally the number is considerable.
Although the number is usually considerable, campgates can appear with very few bricks.
The left and right edge of the gate, as well as the doorway, can be dotted.
Each of the bricks in the the upper layer of bricks can contain a pellet.
The upper and lower rows can both have bricks that contain pellets.
A single pellet can appear above the exergue - on this coin it is in the door. This pellet is part of the mintmark.
A pellet may also appear in the field - in the right field of this coin, and it is also part of the mintmark.
This coin has a pellet in the upper left corner of the gate which is likely an error.
The bottom of the camp gate is usually flat, but it can be found resting on a base.
Though usually found with two turrets and a star, the type exists with three turrets.
It can also be found with four turrets and open doors.