FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board

Numismatic and History Discussion Forums => Roman Coins Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Marco M4 on May 20, 2020, 05:34:58 pm

Title: Constantius II coin with a star not included in RIC
Post by: Marco M4 on May 20, 2020, 05:34:58 pm
Hi.
I have same classification problems according to the RIC

(https://iili.io/JVcknj.jpg)

(https://iili.io/JVcr8P.jpg)

This coin has the following characteristics

measures 21x21 mm

weight: 3,84 g.

coinage axis: 6

Front side: DN CONSTAN-TIVS PF AVG - Bust of Constantius II, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed, left, holding globe in right hand - PDC-G left

Reverse side: FEL TEMP RE-PARATIO - Constantius II, draped, cuirassed, standing left, holding standard with Chi-Rho on banner in right hand and resting left hand on shield; before him, two captives standing

Sign Mint: ...KB*(star): I suppose Cyzicus.


My classification is RIC VIII Cyzicus 70   348-350 AD

But the presence of the star in the sign mint is not mentioned on http://numismatics.org/ocre/?lang=en and in Helvetica excel file of http://www.catbikes.ch/coinstuff/coins-ric.htm

What do you think about?
Title: Re: Constantius II coin with a star not included in RIC
Post by: agord on May 20, 2020, 09:02:20 pm
Hard to tell from your photo, but could it be CONSB* ? The only listed 2 captives type with a star at the end of the mintmark and no field mark is Constantinople 87.
Title: Re: Constantius II coin with a star not included in RIC
Post by: Marco M4 on May 21, 2020, 06:08:35 pm
This is my problem!

it's seem a K (or H or R) but non an S

(https://iili.io/JWd92I.md.jpg)
Title: Re: Constantius II coin with a star not included in RIC
Post by: agord on May 21, 2020, 11:57:44 pm
I would read that as an H, making your coin an unlisted issue from Heraclea. I have found a few other unlisted issues from this time ,so that is a possibility.
Title: Re: Constantius II coin with a star not included in RIC
Post by: maridvnvm on May 22, 2020, 04:21:07 am
The style looks consistent with Heraclea.

Title: Re: Constantius II coin with a star not included in RIC
Post by: SC on May 22, 2020, 10:44:00 am
I believe that this is an expected mark and matches the star-in-field issue of the falling horseman type.

Nice find.

SC
Title: Re: Constantius II coin with a star not included in RIC
Post by: Marco M4 on May 22, 2020, 06:22:41 pm
Otlichnik  thanks.
I don't konw star-in-field issue of the falling horseman type.
Can you explain me or write some link of discussion?
Title: Re: Constantius II coin with a star not included in RIC
Post by: SC on May 23, 2020, 01:53:08 pm
Your coin was part of a series of six different coin types, in three denominations/sizes, all with the legend FEL TEMP REPARATIO.

They were issued at about a dozen mints.  There were several major series (a total of six, but only the Falling Horseman type was struck during all six series).  Within each series there were often more than one issue struck at each mint.

So for Heraclea, the first series had two issues for the falling horseman type with marks SMHA and then * in field, SMHA (often shown as *|-/SMHA). 

Your type seems to have also had two matching issues, SMHA and SMHA*. 

So you can see that the second issue of the first series at Heraclea is distinguished by the *, but this * can be in the field or the exergue depending on coin type.

SC