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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Themes & Provenance| ▸ |Types| ▸ |Happy Days||View Options:   | | | The reverse legend FEL TEMP REPARATIO was used on coins from the time of Constans and Constantius II to that of Gratian (337 to 375). Although the intended reading of this legend is not completely certain, it most likely reads, FELicium TEMPorum REPARATIO, meaning "re-establishment of the happy times." We prefer to loosely translate it to the more current and lyrical expression, "Happy Days are Here Again!" From the coins below, it seems the Romans had a very different concept of what made for happy times. |
In 354, Constantius II recalled his legate (and cousin) Constantius Gallus to Constantinople after receiving unfavorable reports about him. Caesar of the East, Gallus had successfully suppressed revolts in Palestine and central Anatolia. Constantius stripped him of his rank and later had him executed in Pola (in modern Croatia).RL71438. Billon heavy maiorina, Hunter V 133 (also 11th officina), RIC VIII Antioch 132, LRBC II 2623, SRCV V 18171, Cohen VII 46, near Mint State, weight 5.073 g, maximum diameter 22.4 mm, die axis 135o, 11th officina, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 350 - 355 A.D.; obverse D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse FEL TEMP REPARATIO (happy times restored), soldier standing left, shield on left arm, spear in right hand, spearing horseman who falls forward on the neck of his horse, clutching horse's neck, shield on ground right, Γ (control) upper left, ANAI in exergue; SOLD
Constantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.
The usurper Magnentius set up the mint at Ambianum, his reputed birthplace. Constantius shut down the mint following this issue.
John Casey was employed at Durham between 1972 and 2000, retiring as Reader in Archaeology. He was a well-known Romanist and numismatist who undertook excavations at the Roman forts of Brecon Gaer (nr Aberyscir) and Segontium (Gwynedd), the Roman town of Venta Silurum (Caerwent), the Roman temple at Lydney (Gloucestershire) and the Greta Bridge vicus in County Durham. He was the author of numerous articles on Roman coinage and hoards, including the finds from Piercebridge. His books included Coins and the Archaeologist (1974, 2nd ed. 1988), The End of Roman Britain (1979), Roman Coinage in Britain (1980), and Understanding Ancient Coins (1986).RL98409. Bronze heavy maiorina, RIC VIII Amiens 48, Hunter V 1, LRBC II 25, SRCV V 18090, Cohen VII 46, VF, well centered, flow lines, dark brown patina, some legend weak, edge ragged with splits, weight 5.098 g, maximum diameter 22.4 mm, die axis 180o, Ambianum (Amiens, France) mint, 18 August - end 353 A.D.; obverse D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right, A behind; reverse FEL TEMP REPARATIO (happy times restored), helmeted soldier standing left spearing fallen horseman, shield on left arm, another shield on the ground, horseman is bare-headed, turns to face soldier, and extends left arm, AMB in exergue; RIC VIII lists this type as common but this is the first specimen of the type handled by FORVM; ex John Casey Collection; scarce mint; SOLD
Faustina Junior, Augusta 146 - Winter 175/176 A.D., Wife of Marcus Aurelius
"Saeculi Felicitas" means happy times, referring to the empire's new heirs. The two infants are the twin sons of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina Junior, Commodus and Antoninus, born 31 August 161, at Lanuvium, near Rome. Antoninus died at age four. Commodus succeeded Marcus Aurelius as emperor.RS67697. Silver denarius, RIC III MA712; RSC II 191; BMCRE IV MA139; Hunter II p. 352, 16; SRCV II 5260, VF, weight 3.603 g, maximum diameter 18.6 mm, die axis 225o, Rome mint, struck under Marcus Aurelius, 161 A.D.; obverse FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, diademed and draped bust right; reverse SAECVLI FELICIT (era of good fortune), two infant boys seated facing on a draped throne; SOLD
Constantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.
Constantius II, unlike his father, allowed Christians to persecute pagans and Jews. Christian clergy inspired angry crowds, which attacked and destroyed synagogues and temples. On 7 May 351, a Jewish revolt broke out in Palestine. The rebels destroyed the Roman garrison in a surprise night attack and acquired the garrison's weapons. The rebels destroyed Diopolis and Tiberias and killed the people of different ethnicities, including Greeks and Samaritans. In 352, Constantius Gallus sent his general (magister equitum) Ursicinus to put down the revolt. Diocesarea, the epicenter of the revolt, was razed to the ground. Ursicinus ordered the execution of thousands of Jews, even children. After the revolt, a permanent garrison was stationed in Galilee.RL90420. Billon heavy maiorina, RIC VIII Constantinople 82, LRBC II 2026, Voetter 28, SRCV V 18148, Cohen VII 44 var., gVF, excellent centering and bold strike, edge split, weight 6.037 g, maximum diameter 23.9 mm, die axis 180o, 1st officina, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 348 - 351 A.D.; obverse D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse FEL TEMP REPARATIO (happy times restored), soldier advancing left, in military garb, shield on his left arm, spearing a fallen enemy horseman, who is turned toward the soldier and raising his left hand, horseman's shield on the ground to right, Γ left, CONSA* in exergue; SOLD
Constantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.
The final A in the mintmark appears as H, but it must be a carelessly engraved A because IA is the officina (workshop) mark and there were only eleven officina in operation. IA is the Greek numeral eleven. IH is the Greek numeral eighteen. Open topped A's are not unusual in this period.RL68726. Billon heavy maiorina, RIC VIII Constantinople 82, LRBC II 2026, SRCV V 18148, Choice gVF, weight 5.995 g, maximum diameter 23.8 mm, die axis 330o, 11th officina, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 348 - 351 A.D.; obverse D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse FEL TEMP REPARATIO (happy times restored), soldier standing left, shield on left arm, spear in right hand, spearing bearded fallen horseman wearing, shield on ground right, Γ upper left, CONSIA* in exergue; SOLD
Constantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.
The reverse legend can be translated, "Happy Times Restored" but we prefer to loosely translate it to the more current and lyrical expression, "Happy Days are Here Again!"RL71439. Billon heavy maiorina, RIC VIII Antioch 132, LRBC II 2625, SRCV V 18171, Cohen VII 46, Hunter V 124 var. (7th officina), EF, perfect centering, excellent style, ragged flan, weight 5.162 g, maximum diameter 24.4 mm, die axis 135o, 2nd officina, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 348 - 350 A.D.; obverse D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse FEL TEMP REPARATIO (happy times restored), soldier standing left in military attire, shield on left arm, spearing bearded fallen horseman turned to face him and raising arm, shield on the ground lower right, Γ (control) in upper left field, ANB exergue; SOLD
Constantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.
The reverse legend can be translated, "Happy Times Restored" but we prefer to loosely translate it to the more current and lyrical expression, "Happy Days are Here Again!"RL113934. Billon heavy maiorina, RIC VIII Antioch 132, LRBC II 2625, SRCV V 18171, Cohen VII 46, VF, dark patina with attractive highlighting earthen deposits, tight flan cutting off parts of legend and mintmark, weight 5.610 g, maximum diameter 21.5 mm, die axis 180o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 348 - 350 A.D.; obverse D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse FEL TEMP REPARATIO (happy times restored), soldier standing left in military attire, shield on left arm, spearing bearded fallen horseman turned to face him and raising arm, shield on the ground lower right, Γ (control) in upper left field, AN[...] in exergue; from the Chris Noah Collection, ex Holyland Numismatics (Fall 2008); SOLD
Constantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.
In 354, Constantius II recalled his legate (and cousin) Constantius Gallus to Constantinople after receiving unfavorable reports about him. Caesar of the East, Gallus had successfully suppressed revolts in Palestine and central Anatolia. Constantius stripped him of his rank and later had him executed in Pola (in modern Croatia).RL93279. Billon heavy maiorina, RIC VIII Antioch 132, LRBC II 2623, SRCV V 18171, Hunter V 138 var. (14th officina), Choice gVF, dark patina, lighter highlighting deposits, slight double strike, part of edge ragged, weight 6.098 g, maximum diameter 26.3 mm, die axis 180o, 12th officina, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 350 - 355 A.D.; obverse D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse FEL TEMP REPARATIO (happy times restored), soldier standing left, shield on left arm, spear in right hand, spearing bearded fallen horseman who is turned to face the shoulder and extends his left arm, shield on ground right, Γ (control symbol) upper left, ANBI in exergue; from the Errett Bishop Collection; SOLD
Procopius, 28 September 365 - 27 May 366 A.D.
Serenianus a general with a reputation for cruelty, was once the executioner of Constantius Gallus, and had previously served as Valens' comes domesticorum (commander of the imperial bodyguard). After Procopius rebelled, loyal to Valens, he went to Cyzicus, where an imperial officer named Venustus had retreated with money intended to pay the troops. Serenianus was confident in the city garrison and in the strength of the city walls, but Procopius wanted the payroll. He collected a strong army, besieged and captured the city. Serenianus was sent as a prisoner to Nicaea. During the night after Procopius was killed, Marcellus, a relative of Procopius in command of the garrison of Nicaea, entered the Palace where Serenianus was held, and killed him. Marcellus was later captured and executed.RL110796. Bronze centenionalis, LRBC II 1928, RIC IX Nicomedia 10.4 (R3), Cohen VIII 8, SRCV V 19884, aVF, well centered, near full legends, green patina, highlighting red earthen deposits, small edge splits, weight 2.842 g, maximum diameter 18.9 mm, die axis 0o, 1st officina, Nicomedia (Izmit, Turkey) mint, 28 Sep 365 - Apr 366 A.D.; obverse D N PROCO-PIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed draped and cuirassed bust left; reverse REPARATIO FEL TEMP (happy times restored), Procopius standing facing, head right, labarum in right hand, resting left hand on grounded shield, uncertain object at feet,
(Christ monogram) in upper right field, SMNA in exergue; very rare; SOLDConstantius II, 22 May 337 - 3 November 361 A.D.
On 28 September 351, at Battle of Mursa Major, Constantius II defeated the usurper Magnentius. The battle was one of the bloodiest in Roman military history.RL85975. Bronze heavy maiorina, cf. RIC VIII Cyzicus 96, LRBC II 2488, SRCV V 18166, Cohen VII 46, Hunter V - (all normal weight < 5.20 g), VF, well centered, corrosion, edge cracks, overstruck(?), weight 10.608 g, maximum diameter 25.1 mm, die axis 180o, uncertain mint, 351 - 354 A.D.; obverse D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse FEL TEMP REPARATIO (happy times restored), soldier standing left spearing fallen horseman, horseman beardless and wearing a pointed cap, shield on the ground at feet, Γ upper left, •SMKΔ in exergue; unusual thick flan, more than double normal weight (10.608g vs. normal < 5.20g), ex Frank Kovacs; very rare variety or error; SOLD
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