O-Towner

Some really nice coins shown! Here's two more of his "as Caesar" from the Rome mint and I'm about done. Rev: PRINCIPIA IVVENTVTIS; Crispus holding shield and spear upright: (RIC 87) And a Rome mint campgate Rev: VIRTVS AVGG; Campgate with closed doors, P - R across fields (RIC 180 var.):

There is a single issue from the Thessalonica mint which is a bit different than the typical Crispus as Caesar types. It's a bit rough with heavy patina but you can still make out much of the obverse legend. Obv: CRISPVS NOBILISSIMVS CAES; Laureate bust right Rev: PRINCIPIA IVVENTVTIS; Crispus with spear and shield; TS●Δ● in exergue

AR Siliqua of Constantine III (407 - 411 AD) : Arelate mint, 15mm, 1.8gms Obv: D N CONSTANTINVS P F AVG; Draped and cuirassed bust right Rev: VICTORIA AAVGGG; Roma seated left holding Victory on globe and spear; SMAR in exergue

Really nice find. Congrats! I've had these two for many years, unfortunately upgrading either is probably not going to happen at this point. VICTORIA AVGGG reverse: SPES ROMANORVM reverse: Both struck in Aquileia with either AQP or AQS in exergue.

Very interesting post. I've collected coins of this time period for a while and never really heard about these. I do notice that none of these coins have any exergual markings to indicate where they were minted. That and the smaller size seem to be their hallmarks. Thanks for this info. Much appreciated.

Came across this coin which I had put away many years ago because I couldn't properly identify it. Did some more research and it turns out it maybe fits what's called an Arab-Byzantine War issue. Here it is: Obv: Heraclius holding long cross on left and Heraclius Constantine on right holding globus cruciger Rev: Large M between A/N/N/O and X/X/Y; K above B below, CON in exergue Size: 15x20mm, 4.3gms I'm really not familiar with these (at all) but on doing some research they say that these types would be dated year 25 (which this one is) but there's no description of the other design aspects (the K, B or CON). Also, I've seen some similar issues sold as Arab-Byzantine war but they're not year 25. So ... is this an Arab-Byzantine war issue and exactly what defines it?

The 12 nummi shown is 6.2gms and I have another which weighs 4.7gms. The 6 nummi weighs 2.9gms.

Here's a couple of mine: Justinian 12 nummi, Alexandria mint (RIC 247): There's also the 6 nummi from Alexandria (RIC 246):

I've spent enough time trying to identify this Greek Ae type, probably too much as it is interesting. Anyways, here it is: Obv: Bust of Isis (?) right Ref: Bull (I think) running left, object (bow?) above; MY below and a full inscription around Size: 15.5mm, 2.2gms

Here's a Constantine I Ae Follis with Sol from Thessalonica (RIC 71): Obv: CONSTANTINVS AVG; Laureate bust right Rev: VIRT EXERC: Sol standing left in center of plan of Roman camp extending hand and holding globe; TSB below

This one came in a small lot I purchased a few years back but I just haven't been able to figure it out. It's in the style of the AR later Byzantine types but there appears to be no legend whatsoever. It's a very thin AR type (16.5mm, 1.4gms). Any ideas of what it is would be appreciated. Here's the coin:

A couple of somewhat unusual types for Constantine: An Ae3 type from Rome (RIC 207): Obv: CONSTANTINVS AVG; Helmeted and cuirassed bust right Rev: VOT X / ET XV F / RQ; Legend within wreath An Ae Follis type from Trier (RIC 229): Obv: CONSTANTINVS AVG; Helmeted and cuirassed bust right Rev: VICTORIAE LAET P P; Two Victories holding shield inscribed VOT / PR over altar; STR in exergue

Another 4-1/2 Assaria of Gordian III and Tranquillina type from Tomis (Ref: Varbanov 5702). I was wondering what that sideways lambda represented on the reverse.

It's a coin of Sardis Lydia. Here's the link: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=7451963

I thought I'd add two more campgates to this thread (you had to start me on these types ... which certainly are my favorites). These are not in great shape but they're without doubt two of the scarcest late Roman type Ae gates. It's thought that these were issued by Valentinian II and Theodosius I around 384 - 389 AD to commemorate some unknown occasion. 1. Valentinian II (RIC IX 59a.2) Obv; D N VALENTINIANVS P F AVG; Diademed and mantled bust left holding mappa and short scepter Rev: GLORIA REIPVBLICE; Campgate with Staurogram above and A to left; TES in exergue 2. Theodosius I with identical obverse and reverse designs (Obv: D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG) : Ref: RIC IX 59b.1