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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. |
An article originally published in Numismatic Chronicle,1933, pp. 182-201, and plates xvii and xviii. Mattingly discusses his ideas about the various coins of the FEL TEMP REPARATIO series of the late 340s and early 350s.BL43189. "Fel. Temp. Reparatio" by Harold Mattingly, Numismatic Chronicle reprint series, Attic Books 1977 reprint, paperback booklet, 5.5" x 8.5", 23 pages with 2 plates; $3.00 (€2.76)
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).RL71438. Billon centenionalis, RIC VIII Antioch 135, 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, shield on ground right, Γ 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
Constantius Gallus, Caesar, Mid-March 351 - Winter 354 A.D.
In mid-March 351, Constantius elevated his 25-year-old cousin Constantius Gallus to Caesar at Sirmium in Pannonia. He arranged a marriage with his sister Constantia and put him in charge of the Eastern Roman Empire. Constantius marched West with a large army (60,000 men) to fight against Magnus Magnentius.RL74563. Billon maiorina, RIC VIII Cyzicus 97, LRBC II 2487, SRCV V 18990, Cohen VIII 11, VF, well centered on a tight flan, porous, weight 4.975 g, maximum diameter 23.0 mm, die axis 0o, 6th officina, Cyzicus (Kapu Dagh, Turkey) mint, 28 Sep 351 - 352 A.D.; obverse D N FL CL CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES, bare-headed, 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, turned facing soldier and raising right hand, Γ upper left, •SMKS in exergue; SOLD
Constantius Gallus, Caesar, Mid-March 351 - Winter 354 A.D.
In 351, in India, a new process was invented for the extraction of sugar from sugarcane.RL111903. Bronze reduced maiorina, RIC VIII Siscia 351, LRBC II 1219, SRCV V 19014, Cohen VIII 14, Hunter V -, Choice VF, well centered, dark patina, marks, weight 2.519 g, maximum diameter 18.8 mm, die axis 0o, 4th officina, Siscia (Sisak, Croatia) mint, 353 - winter 354 A.D; obverse D N CONSTANTIVS IVN NOB C, bare-headed, draped, and cuirassed, bust right; reverse FEL TEMP REPARATIO (happy times restored), helmeted soldier with shield on his left arm spearing a fallen horseman wearing a pointed cap, ΔSIS in exergue; ex TMC (Tom Maus Coins, Johnson City, NY); SOLD
Constantius Gallus, Caesar, Mid-March 351 - Winter 354 A.D.
The reverse legend can be translated, "Happy Times Restored" but we prefer to loosely translate it to the more lyrical expression, "Happy Days are Here Again!" To a Roman, spearing a barbarian was happy time!RB71440. Billon maiorina, RIC VIII Alexandria 74, LRBC II 2838, Voetter 1, SRCV V 18997, Cohen VIII 17, aEF, some silvering, tight flan, weight 5.005 g, maximum diameter 21.7 mm, die axis 315o, 1st officina, Alexandria mint, 28 Sep 351 - 353 A.D.; obverse D N CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES, bare-headed, draped, and cuirassed, bust right; reverse FEL TEMP REPARATIO (happy times restored), soldier advancing left, spearing bare-headed bearded fallen horseman who extends arm toward soldier, shield on ground at feet, Γ upper left, ALEA in exergue; SOLD
Constantius Gallus, Caesar, Mid-March 351 - Winter 354 A.D.
The reverse legend can be translated, "Happy Times Restored" but we prefer to loosely translate it to the more lyrical expression, "Happy Days are Here Again!" To a Roman, spearing a barbarian was happy time!RL72450. Billon maiorina, RIC VIII Alexandria 74, LRBC II 2838, Voetter 1, SRCV V 18997, Cohen VIII 17, VF, well centered, weight 4.911 g, maximum diameter 23.9 mm, die axis 135o, 2nd officina, Alexandria mint, 28 Sep 351 - 353 A.D.; obverse D N CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES, bare-headed, draped, and cuirassed, bust right; reverse FEL TEMP REPARATIO (happy times restored), soldier advancing left, spearing bare-headed bearded fallen horseman who extends arm toward soldier, shield on ground at feet, Γ upper left, ALEB in exergue; SOLD
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