Hello All, I've been away a for a bit after a 2 week timeout as well as being busy with work and life. I recently purchased a couple of coins listed as Constans II and they were a big upgrade from my ugly Constans II, even though most Constans II coins are pretty bad. Well, they arrived today and I was able to identify one easily enough but I am having trouble with the 2nd. I can't find a match anywhere. Then it hit me, perhaps this is a Arab-Byzantine imitation... Can anyone help either confirm/deny my theory and provide any resources you may have for Arab-Byzantine coinage. I haven't had much luck in my searches this evening. Ok, Without further ado: My first Constans II, purchased from a local coin show a year or so ago: My first of 2 coins that came today: Constans II 641-668 AD AE Follis Obverse: EN TVTO NIKA, Constans, beardless, crowned and wearing chlamys, standing facing, holding long cross and cross on globe Reverse: large m (lower case), ANA to left, nothing, cross or star above, NEOS to right, officina letter and I below And now....the coin in question:
Dang that was fast! Do you by chance have an online resource that I could look this up? EDIT: I just found this page, and mine seems to look like this one: Top right coin on page 5/9 4.53 gms; EBCC 23.60; 1957.13 https://www.byzantine-ae.info/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/chapter_23_pseudo-byzantine_coins-2019.pdf
It is hard to imagine a Constans II bronze that would not be a candidate to upgrade. I selected this one for the obverse legend. EN ToVTO NIKA I prefer the bearded style but mine is not mint state for sure. Welcome back.
I have a single Constans II (Sear 1105) I paid around $8 for. I’m very pleased with the quality; I think it would be difficult to find a better one for a reasonable price Obviously overstruck on “something” (flip said an earlier Syracuse follis)
Oooh... there's someone who knows something about these beau... well, interesting coins. ...and they are interesting coins everyone! I wanted an Arab-Byzantine to play with and learn about but... I just was getting nowhere with it and it's sat in my rainy day pile for years. I bought it for just a few dollars and it came labeled as only "Constans II? Arab-Byzantine 21.5mm, 2.14 grams." I'm hoping I can get some help confirming or further attributing the information. @dltsrq ? Thank you! (one dark photo that shows some detail better and looks more like in-hand, and one washed out one that... you can actually see.)