Treveri Mint

Treveri (modern Trier, Germany) was one of the principal mints of the late Roman Empire, established during the administrative reorganisation of the late third century when Trier served as an imperial capital. The mint became one of the largest producers of gold solidi for the Western Empire and was also a prolific source of bronze coinage for the Rhine frontier zone. Its mint mark, typically TR or SMTR in the reverse exergue, is among the most commonly encountered on Constantinian and Valentinianic bronzes. Trier's importance peaked in the fourth century when it served as the seat of the western Caesar or Augustus — Constantine I, Valentinian I, and Gratian all used Trier as a primary base. The mint's bronze output was enormous, particularly of the small AE3 and AE4 denominations that formed the everyday currency of the frontier provinces. Gold solidi from Trier are scarcer than eastern mint issues and are valued by collectors for their Western Empire provenance. The mint declined in importance after the imperial court moved to Milan and then Ravenna, ceasing operations in the early fifth century. For collectors, Trier-mint coins are identified through the well-documented exergue marks cataloged in RIC VI through IX.