Well, as we are showing coins from the dominate era (284-475 CE) I so happen to have a few. None as nice as the examples you guys have, which reminds me I need to collect a lot more of these things. DIOCLETIAN DOUBLE DENARIUS MAXIMIAN RADIATE CONSTANTINE I AE3 CONSTANTIUS II Phoenix Fel Temp Reparatio The last two I need to add a black background to sometime.
Sweet additions, Jango ... I like 'em!! (I really like the "eyes to heaven type") Ummm, I have these two Constantine-I examples for ya ...
WONDERFUL posts!!! Not one 'boring example' among them!!! I thought I'd add one more....a scarce issue with the 'cross' reverse from the Aquileia mint:
Well we've moved a way from Constantine I so how about his boys? Constantine II AE Reduced follis, 18mm, 3.1g; 6h; London, 318 AD Obv.: FL CL CONSTANTINVS IVN NC; Bust laureate, draped cuirassed, seen from back Rev.: PRINCIPIA I-VVENTVTIS; Prince in military dress, standing right, cloak spread, leaning on reversed vertical spear, hand resting on shield; crescent right In Ex.: PLN Ref.: RIC VII London 136 var (RIC coin has break IV-VENTVTIS) R4 Constantius II AE, 2.76g, 17mm; 6h; Alexandria Obv.: FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C; laureate cuirassed bust right Rev.: GLOR-IAEXERC-ITVS; two soldiers standing between two banners with dots, holding shield and spear In Ex.: SMALB Constans, AD 337-350 AE, 2.9g, 19mm; 1h; Siscia, AD 348-350 Obv.: DN CONSTA-N PF AVG; diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right Rev.: FEL TEMP REPARATIO; emperor in military dress standing left in galley, holding phoenix on globe and standard with chi-rho on banner, in the stern sits Victory steering the ship In Ex.: ASIS (symbol?)
Killer patina on that Constantine II, and that Constantius II is very attractive and almost as mint as any ancient coin can get. Just look at how much of that thin silver wash still remains. If you ever loose your mind and decide you want to part with either (and I'll be the first to say that would be utterly insane to do so), I hope you remember I said I liked them.
Haha! Thanks @Sallent ! They're a great bunch of coins, for sure. The Constantine II reverse attracted me - nothing quite like the emperor all dressed up. You can see why I bought the Constantius II (and it gets bonus points for being a Glory to the Military type) and the Constans...well it does have a splotchy patina but I like the mix of the chi-rho and Victory and it's my understanding that this coin celebrates his crossing of the English Channel. I see so many wonderful ancients here at CoinTalk - many far above my budget - but you know, I get lots of pleasure from these humble LRBs and enjoy learning more about this period in history (in full disclosure I enjoy all history really).
LRB's are still among my favorite coins. The prices may make them humble, but there is nothing humble about the vast sea of history and numismatics they represent.
I couldn't agree more about the appeal of LRB's !!! OK, You talked me into it... Crispus, Constantine II and Constantius II:
LRBs were my first ancients. I think they're very approachable for someone new to ancients because very nice examples can be had for small amounts of money, the legends are pretty easy to read, and information about these coins on the internet is readily available.
As long as we've got an LRB pile-on... Constantine I, AD 306-337 Æ Follis, 20mm, 3.29g, 12h; Siscia mint, AD 320. Obv.: CONST-ANTINVS AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust right. Rev: VIRTVS EXERCIT; Standard inscribed VOT; two barbarian captives at sides, S-F / HL // ΔSISstar Reference: RIC VII Siscia 120 (p.439). Licinius II Ae Follis, 19mm, 3.5g, 12h; Heraclea mint: AD 317. Obv.: DN VAL LICIN LICINIVS NOB C; laureate, draped, small bust left, globe and scepter in left hand, mappa in right. Rev.: PROVIDEN-TIAE CAESS; campgate with three turrets // MHTΔ. Reference: RIC VII Heraclea 19. VRBS ROMA Commemorative AE3, 2.1g, 17.6mm, 12h; Siscia mint: AD 334-5 Obv.: VRBS ROMA; helmeted bust of Roma left, wearing imperial mantle. Rev.: Romulus and Remus suckling from she-wolf, two stars above // dot ΓSIS dot Reference: RIC VII Siscia 240 (p. 456) Constans, 337-350 AE3, 17mm, 1,96g; Arles mint: 333-334 Obv.: FL IVL CONSTANS NOB C; Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right. Rev.: GLORI-A EXERC-ITVS; Two soldiers, helmeted, standing looking at one another, reversed spear in outer hands, inner hands on shield resting on ground; between them, two standards, dot in wreath between // SCONST Reference: RIC VII Arles 378 (p. 274) R4 Constantius II, 317-361 AD AE3, 17mm, 2.33g, 12h; Heraclea mint, 348-351. Obv.: D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right. Rev.: FEL TEMP REPARATIO, soldier right & looking left, spears a fallen long-haired horseman who reaches back towards the soldier // SMHB. Reference: RIC VIII Heraclea 65, Rare. Constans AE3; Antioch Mint: 348-350 AD Obv.: D N CONSTANS P F AVG - Pearl-diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right. Rev.: FEL TEMP REPARATIO; Roman officer (emperor) guides a barbarian out of the forest to civilization and Christianity // ANΓ. Reference: RIC VIII 126.