Alexandria Mint Mark - Is this SNAL instead of SMAL?

[Brad S]

Looked up this Constantine commemorative recently, and noticed that the mint mark reads as SNAL to me, not the normal SMAL.  And the right part of the main reverse inscription appears to be MD. not MR.  RIC Alexandria 32 or 38 I believe.  Comments? Anyone ever seen this before?  Other than these oddities, I don't see any indication it's a fake.

[Merinda]

Just sloppy engraving I think, not surprising given our how small the letters are on these and how many were minted!

It is RIC 32, 38 has a dot in the right field

[SC]

Yup.  The SNA is very common for the SMA.

SC

[Brad S]

Thanks...    The MD seems like just a second "typo" as well?

[Merinda]

Yes - I can just make out the tail of the R to the right of the “D”

[SC]

Almost every in Alexandria spoke Greek and not Latin at that time.  Thus the lack of familiar habit with some letters.

SC

[Brad S]

Thanks...  This brings up the question:  Why SMAL in the first place?  What's the SM part mean if it's for Alexandria?

[Merinda]

The SM stands for Sacra Moneta ('sacred money'), so SMAL = sacred money of Alexandria. It was used at the Eastern mints especially

[Brad S]

Thanks again.  Best way to learn all this is to ask lots of questions.