The VOTA series of coins presents yet another area of topical collecting.

"VOTA" refers to vows offered by the emperor to the Roman gods. Early in the Imperial period, beginning with the reign of Augustus, the vows were offered at the start of an emperor's reign, and then at the start of each new decade. Along with a customary sacrifice, the vows were given in hope that the gods would grant favors upon the emperor.

VOTA = "Vows"
VOTIS = "Because of the vows"
VOTA SVSCEPTA = "Vows raised up"
VOTA SOLVTA = "Vows unbound"
VOTA X MVLTIS V = "Because of the vows, ten years of rule. Through more vows, another five years"

For example, during the reign of Trajan, (98-117AD), a gold coin with the legend VOTA SVSCEPTA was struck ca. 116. This coin referred to vows taken by Trajan on the twentieth anniversary of his adoption by Nerva for another ten years of prosperous rule of the empire.

Later emperors, perhaps recognizing the often temporary and uncertain whims of fate began to lower their expectations for long periods of rule, tended to give vows for shorter periods of time.

The examples below from my own collection are only a small portion of what is available, and again reflect my own collecting habits. While the relative simplicity of their design somewhat limits the ultimate variety of sub-types, I am still able to find those little differences that I enjoy looking for.

Some Constantine era VOTA coins

Constantine I Hereclea mint, 320-322 18mm, 3.08g OBV: CONSTANTINVS AVG REV: DN CONSTANTINI MAX AVG Legend surrounding wreath containing VOT (pellet) XX (star) EXG: SM H A Nearly fully silvered
Constantine I Hereclea mint, 325-329 19mm, 2.84g OBV: CONSTANTINVS AVG REV: D N CONSTANTINI MAX AVG Legend surrounding wreath containing VOT (pellet) XXX EXG: SM H r Almost fully silvered. Some coppery highlights showing through
Constantine I Siscia mint, 320 19mm, 3.29g OBV: CONSTANTINVS AVG Helmeted and cuirassed bust right REV: VIRTVS EXERCIT (The Virtue of the Army) Two captives flanking fringed banner containing VOT XX FR: F, ligate HL FL: S EXG: r SIS (star)
Crispus Siscia mint, 321-324 18mm, 3.29g OBV: FL IVL CRISPVS NOB C REV: CAESARVM NOSTRORVM Legend surrounding wreath containing VOT (pellet) X EXG: (Epsilon) SIS (arched crown) Faint silvering on reverse
Crispus Siscia mint, 320 19mm, 3.38g OBV: IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES Diademed and cuirassed bust with spear and shield left REV: VIRTVS EXERCIT (The Virtue of the Army) Two captives flanking fringed banner containing VOT X FR: F, ligate HL FL: S EXG: r SIS (crescent and star)
Constantine II Siscia mint, 320-324 19mm, 2.94g OBV: CONSTNATINVS IVN NOB C REV: CAESARVM NOSTRORVM Legend surrounding wreath containing VOT (pellet) X EXG: A(?) SIS (star)
Constantine I Thessalonica mint, 320-321 19mm, 3.18g OBV: CONSTANTINVS AVG REV: D N CONSTANTINVS AVG Legend surrounding wreath containing VOT (pellet) XX EXG: TS r VI
Constantine I Thessalonica mint, 320-322 18mm, 3.05g OBV: CONSTANTINVS AVG REV: D N CONSTANTINI MAX AVG Legend surrounding wreath containing VOT (pellet) XX EXG: TS r VI Near full silvering remaining
Constantine I Thessalonica mint, 320-322 19mm, 3.63g OBV: CONSTANTINVS AVG REV: D N CONSTANTINI MAX AVG Legend surrounding wreath containing VOT (pellet) XX EXG: TS r VI Almost fully silvered
Crispus Thessalonica mint, 320-324 19mm, 3.20g OBV: FL IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES Left facing bust REV: CAESARVM NOSTRORVM Legend surrounding wreath containing VOT X EXG: TS (delta) VI
Crispus Thessalonica mint, 320-324 18mm, 2.87g OBV: FL IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES Left facing bust REV: CAESARVM NOSTRORVM Legend surrounding VOT (pellet) X EXG: TS (delta) VI
Crispus Thessalonica mint, 320-324 19mm, 3.44g OBV: FL IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES Left facing bust REV: CAESARVM NOSTRORVM Legend surrounding wreath containing VOT (pellet) X EXG: TS (delta) VI
Constantine I Ticinum mint, 322 17mm, 2.85g OBV: CONSTANTINVS AVG REV: D N CONSTANTINI MAX AVG Legend surrounding wreath containing VOT (PELLET) XX Crescent below EXG: TT
Crispus Ticinum mint, 320 18mm, 2.99g OBV: CRISPVS NOB CAES REV: DOMINORVM NOSTRORVM CAESS Legend surrounding wreath containing VOT V EXG: TT
Crispus Ticinum mint, 320-321 20mm, 4.25g OBV: CRISPVS NOB CAES REV: CAESARVM NOSTRORVM Legend surrounding wreath containing VOT (pellet) V EXG: A(?) T