O-Towner

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

Really nice coins all. Love seeing them. Here's a couple more Constantine I types:

1. VIRTVS AVGG; Campgate with closed doors. Rome mint, RIC VII 16:

2.  D N CONSTANTINI MAX AVG; Campgate with star above: Ticinum mint, RIC 198

Here's one from the wife of Philip I, Otacilia Severa:

@ela126 : Wow, that is one tough coin to find. Congrats!

As long as I'm here, this is an ae half follis type from Carthage (21mm, 7.5gms). Again, not the best but it's one of the few I've come across:

Obv: (Fragmentary legend); Justin (on left) and Sophia seated facing on throne

Rev: Two Victories stg facing each other holding shield ornamented with star, cross above; large K over NM below

Ref: SBC 396 (Carthage)

Here's an 8 Pentanummia type from Cherson with Justin and Sophia (SBC 605):

Interesting that the Emperor's name is not shown on the coin.

Obv: XER-CONOC; Justin holding globus cruciger and Sophia holding cross scepter standing, cross between their heads

Rev: Large H; Tiberius standing facing and holding staff surmounted by Christogram to left, cross above

Here's an unusual reverse type from Theodosius II and one of Eudocia:

Obv: D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG; Draped and cuirassed bust right

Rev: GLORORVI-S TERRAR; Emperor standing facing holding standard and cross on globe

Ref: RIC X421/3

An AV Tremissis of Aelia Eudocia:

Obv: AEL EVDOCIA AVG; Draped bust right

Rev: Cross within wreath, CONOB(star) in exergue

Ref: RIC 281

Just thought I'd add this coin from the Trier mint which instead of S - F across the fields it has T - F which just adds to the mystery of what this means.

Constantine I Ae Nummus (?) Trier mint (21.3mm, 2.6gms)

Obv: CONSTANTINVS P F AVG; Laureate and cuirassed bust righ

Rev: MARTI CONSERVATORI; Mars standing right holding spear and shield, T - F acrss fields; ATR in ex.

Interesting discussion and one which I never really thought about. Anyways here's another Constantine S-F type, but from Arles:

Ae Reduced Follis, Arles mint (20mm, 2.7gms)

Obv: CONSTANTINVS AVG; Laureate bust right

Rev: VIRTV-S AVGG; Camp-gate with open doors, star above; S-F to either side, ARLS in exergue

10 hours ago, Edessa said:

I believe RPC IV.4 1403. Only two specimens listed in RPC. Rare.

RPC IV.4, 1403 (ox.ac.uk)

Thanks Edessa! Very much appreciated.

Was looking for help with this Bi Tetradrachm of Antoninus Pius:

Obv: (....) ANTωNINO; Bearded bust right

Rev: Nilus reclining left, holding a reed with his left hand and a cornucopia from which emerges a Genius with his right hand; the Genius is crowning Nilus with a wreath; below, crocodile to right; L Iς (date) to upper left

Size: 21.5mm, 12.7gms

I've looked through the standard online sites and can't seem to find it. I also have Emmett and not sure if they reference this exact type.

Did find a similar (and scarce) Bi Tetradrachm of Faustina Jr. with this exact reverse and nearly identical size:

https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=5243376

Thanks for your help.

Brian

It's definitely official and according to what I've read it was struck under Constantius II in 347/8 AD at the Heraclea mint and is identified as RIC 50. Mine isn't as nice but here it is:

Nice find and definitely tough to find! Here's a pic of mine.

Justinian I Ae Decanummium, uncertain mint (15mm, 3.7gms):

Just to add on a bit to the Nepos monogram, both he and Zenonis were issuing coins at the same time, around 475 AD. Here's a pic of my Nepos monogram (on left) and a Zenonis monogram (on right). Note the similarities, with the only difference being a "P" loop at the top left of the Nepos and a "Z" at the top left of the Zenonis. In fact on my Nepos you can still make out the remains of the 45 degree central connecting line of the Z. It may be circumstantial but it sure looks like they just modified the Zenonis monogram to create the Nepos monogram.

1 hour ago, Finn235 said:

I've reached the point where I have very serious doubts that Julius Nepos monogram AE4s are even a legitimate type

Do I think those three pieces are genuine. No. Perfectly centered with sharp monograms and portraits. That's a warning sign right there.

Do I think that there are genuine Nepos monograms. Yep. I've seen some and I have one that I pulled out of an uncleaned lot about 25+ years ago. It is a struck coin, not cast, and it looks exactly like other types of the period, Here it is (10.3mm, 1.0gms):

Here's an interesting one which I sold a while back, a Cotiaeum coin of Maximus with the clasped hands reverse (BMC 72);

These types (SB162) are quite scarce and tough to find in good condition. Here's one of mine that is pretty rough (never cleaned), but with a style very consistent with other folles of Constantinople. Also the size is very similar to other folles issued there at 29mm, 14.9gms.

It's actually Antiochos III Megas from Sardes. Ref: SC 983

A Christmas gift to myself:

               Constantine I, the Great : Ae Follis, Ticinum mint

               Obv: CONSTANTINVS AVG: Laureate and cuirassed bust right

               Rev: D N CONSTANTINI MAX AVG; Camp-gate with two turrets, star above; T (crescent) T in exergue

               Ref: RIC 198

The reverse of the coin clearly shows that it was issued in Conana (Konana) Pisidia and is similar to the few types I have seen ... although I am not familiar with this particular one.

I had just come across this larger provincial coin which includes Apollo today:

Septimius Severus Ae : Cremna Pisidia (30mm, 21.0 gms) : Ref: ? (anyone know?)

Obv: SEP SEVER PERTIN AVG; Laureate and draped bust right

Rev: COL IVL AVG FEL CREM; Apollo Propylaeus advancing right and holding drawn bow

Thanks Tejas! I have had this coin for many years and when it was sold via auction I believe BMC identified it as that of Matasuntha. I actually am happy that it is a monogram of Justinian as that Emperor is the focus of my collection at this point.