What Is a Tremissis?

The tremissis was a Roman gold coin valued at one-third of a solidus. Its name comes from the Latin word tremissis, meaning "one-third."

Introduced during the reign of Valentinian I (AD 364 to 375), the tremissis became the smallest regular gold denomination of the Late Roman monetary system created under Constantine the Great.

When Was the Tremissis Introduced?

The tremissis was introduced during the reign of Valentinian I (AD 364 to 375). It complemented the solidus by providing a smaller gold denomination for transactions that did not require a full solidus.

The denomination remained popular throughout the Late Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, and many post-Roman kingdoms in western Europe.

Why Was the Tremissis Important?

The tremissis made gold coinage practical for a wider range of transactions.

Its smaller size allowed gold to circulate more widely than if only the solidus had existed.

What Was a Tremissis Worth?

The relationship between Rome's principal gold denominations was straightforward.

Having three tremisses to one solidus allowed valuable gold payments to be made without cutting or weighing larger coins. The tremissis formed part of the highly successful Late Roman gold monetary system that influenced European coinage for centuries.

How Big Is a Tremissis?

Despite its small size, the tremissis maintained the high gold purity that made Late Roman and Byzantine coinage famous.

What Appears on a Tremissis?

Designs varied by ruler but usually follow a recognizable pattern.

Like other Late Roman gold coins, the tremissis emphasized imperial legitimacy and increasingly Christian symbolism.

Was the Tremissis a Christian Coin?

Yes, many tremisses reflect the Christian character of the Late Roman and Byzantine Empires. Earlier issues often feature Victory in a style inherited from classical Roman coinage, while later issues increasingly replace pagan imagery with crosses, angels, and explicitly Christian symbols.

The evolution of the tremissis mirrors the transformation of the Roman world from its pagan past to Christian rule.

Tremissis vs. Solidus

The tremissis and solidus formed the backbone of Late Roman gold coinage.

Both were struck to exceptionally high standards of purity and became trusted throughout Europe and the Mediterranean.

Tremissis vs. Siliqua

Although both circulated during the Late Roman Empire, they were very different coins.

The tremissis handled higher-value transactions, while the siliqua served as the empire's principal silver coin.

Did the Byzantine Empire Continue Striking Tremisses?

Yes. The Byzantine Empire continued striking tremisses for centuries after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

The denomination remained an important part of Byzantine gold coinage until the eighth century, when it gradually disappeared as the empire's monetary system evolved.

Who Struck Tremisses?

Many Late Roman and Byzantine rulers issued tremisses.

The denomination was also widely copied and struck by successor kingdoms.

Many of these kingdoms initially imitated Roman and Byzantine designs before gradually developing their own distinctive coinage.

From the Kinzer Coins Collection

Theodosius II Bronze, Theodosian Walls Era, NGC Certified

Bronze of the dynasty that struck the first tremisses. Theodosius II ruled from Constantinople while gold thirds poured from its mint.

$37.50 View This Coin

Why Did So Many Germanic Kingdoms Strike Tremisses?

Following the fall of the Western Roman Empire in AD 476, many Germanic rulers continued using the Roman monetary system. Because a full solidus represented a considerable amount of wealth, the smaller tremissis was often more practical for regional commerce, diplomatic exchanges, and elite payments.

Many early medieval gold coins closely imitate Late Roman and Byzantine tremisses before gradually developing distinctive local styles.

From the Kinzer Coins Collection

Fall of Rome: Four Late Roman Emperors Before AD 395

The emperors whose divided empire handed the tremissis on to Gothic, Frankish, and Lombard kings. Four authentic bronzes from Rome's final western century.

$108.50 View This Set

Are Ancient Tremisses Rare?

Tremisses are generally scarcer than Late Roman bronze coins but are more available than many collectors expect. Common Byzantine and early medieval examples can often be found through reputable dealers and auctions, while rare rulers, exceptional preservation, and important historical issues command significant premiums.

Collecting Ancient Tremisses

Collectors appreciate tremisses for the ancient gold they offer at an accessible entry point.

Many collectors consider the tremissis one of the best ways to own an authentic ancient gold coin at a lower cost than a full solidus. If you're interested in Late Roman gold coinage, be sure to read our guides to the Solidus, Siliqua, Follis, and Byzantine Coinage.

The tremissis may be small, but it played an outsized role in the monetary history of Late Antiquity and the early Middle Ages. As a practical fraction of the solidus, it helped spread stable gold coinage across Europe and the Mediterranean for centuries.

Whether struck by Roman emperors, Byzantine rulers, or the kings who inherited Rome's legacy, the tremissis is one of the most fascinating gold denominations in ancient numismatics.

History wasn't just written. It was minted.

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