Vota coinage spanned several centuries. The type denoted divine bargaining. The emperor would promise to do something in return for a prosperous reign of a number of years, frequently renewing the contract under option, and make the appropriate sacrifice to the gods. The format thus is VOT (however many years in Roman numerals) MVLT (however many more years the emperor foresaw the need). You will also see coins that skip the "multiplier" and just have this first part.
Vota issues with the terms of the divine contract within a wreath were a style started in the early 300’s and lasted into the 400’s.
Previous page