Interesting Constantius I from Lyons

[leetoone]

An interesting Constantius from Lyons from the RIC VI series 73-174, but this bust type does not seem to be listed. Similar to RIC 167 but with spear over right shoulder rather than sceptre. A note for RIC 87 (footnote 4 on page 249) suggests than Voetter's spear "not infrequently stands also for sceptre". Does this apply the other way round?

Any help from those more knowledgeable about Lyons would be gratefully received.

Lee

[maridvnvm]

Lee,
Can you pleae provide a detailed image of the tip of the spear? Bastien does not note this but type with spear, just sceptre and all the plate examples of this bust that I have examined are sceptre.
Regards,
Martin

[leetoone]

Here is a detail photo Martin.

It looks to be a clear spear to me but I have the coin in hand. If you need a better shot, I can try a different lighting arrangement. Let me know.

Lee

[maridvnvm]

Lee,
Looking at the plates in Bastien, the coins given as "holding spear", show much more exaggerated barbs to the spear tip. The rounded looking tip to your coin looks llike the "holding sceptre" types. That's all that I can say from the image provided. As you say, having the coin in hand is normally the best indication however.
Regards,
Martin

[leetoone]

Martin

Comparison with other examples is probably more important than my personal opinion though! Here is another detail photo, Not sure that it gives much more though. Would be interested to see a Bastien example if you have time to post one.

Lee

[mauseus]

Hi,

I've been able to examine this coin in the flesh now and, although the design detail in question is a little soft (so not surprising that it doesn't show up too clearly in the photo) the end is triangular with barbs visible. I would say that, in my opinion, it is a spear over the emperor's shoulder.

Regards,

Mauseus

[Adrianus]

Hi all,

Having also seen the coin in hand, I agree with Mauseus. The barbs are small but clearly visible in the flesh so to speak.

Regards,

Adrianus