Constans Galley ot Day

[maridvnvm]

I don't generally focus on later roman bronze though I have been known to dabble. Sometimes when browsing something really catches your eye. This coin did exactly that. It is a Galley type - FEL TEMP REPARATIO of Constans but is a largely silvered example and is also nice and sharp.

Constans - AE2

Obv:- D N CONSTANS P F AVG, Pearl diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right
Rev:- FEL TEMP-REPARATIO, emperor in military dress standing left on galley, holding Phoenix and labarum, Victory sitting at the stern, steering the ship
Minted in Aquileia; (//AQP dot), A.D. 348-350
Reference:– RIC VIII Aquileia 99 (C)

I am also attaching a detailed section of the reverse. When expanded (please click on the image) you can see the detail of the engraver's tool marks on the hand of the emperor holding the labarum. You can also see horizontal striations on the flat areas. My hypothesis, originally postulated about a denarius of Septimius Severus is that these are remnants of the die preparation. After the incuse areas have been engraved in the die there would be small burrs on the die. The application of a file across the die would remove these burrs before the die was used. These would disappear from the die due to natural die wear during the striking process. This may well be a well know thing but isn't something that I have seen written anywhere.

Regards,
Martin

[SC]

Very nice.  I like the feathers and eye on the phoenix.  Interesting how thin Victory's rudder is.  The engraver must have been working on that part at quitting time

Shawn

[gallienus1]

A really nice example Martin. You do not often see them preserved with so much of the original silvering still intact. The silvering on your coin in particular produces a ghostly aesthetic for me that gives it terrific eye appeal.

Best regards,
Steve