Note:This is more of an abridged and incomplete version rather than a critique or analysis of the article. Edit: I should add that this about the article its self, and not the articles accuracy. I an a short article (published in Numismatic Chronicle,1933 reprinted in 1977) titled "Fel. Temp. Reparatio," Harold Mattingly attempts to address the nature of the coinage know by the above title of the article. A common fourth century coin series, and a coin lacking a detailed examination or a complete record. Mattingly explains that “for the detailed study the time is not yet ride , but it should not be premature to attempt the initial investigation.” Mattingly then begins to give his interpretation the words "Fel. Temp. Reparatio," either being Felix, or Felicium, Temporum Reperatio, favoring Felix which “seems to fit in with the Roman cry of good luck.” The words refer to a anniversary, or “golden age” of 348 A.D as a "happy renewal of times". He then go into some detail about the Etruscan (Secular Games), and Roman (the anniversary of Rome) Saeculum celebrated every 110, and 100 respectively, citing examples on record, and on coinage. The two saecula coincided in 348, and Mattingly the explains 100x11=1100 and 110x10=1100, which becomes more relevant later on in the article where he discussed the introduction of the centenionalis (1 pieces of 100 unitis) and miliarense (1 of 1,00 units). He briefly discusses the typez and sizes, and which are mostly attributed a certain emperor or mints, and notes the intermediates type from Aquileia bearing the mark LXXII perhaps meaning “72 to the pound.” He then begins to discuss the ideas on themes of the coins, with no obvious relation between the images on the reverse with the legend, but “must in some way bear on the one central idea that binds them together.” The first interpretations as: A renewal of times (the Phoenix) , military prestige of Rome (Emperor and captive), successful government of the state (the Galley), the legionary overthrowing the Persian cavalry (Fallen Horseman), and the legionary leading the barbarian to leave his forest home for settlement in the empire (the Hut type). Mattingly seems to suggest a religious and political neutrality between Pagan and Christian, as well as between Christian and Christian (Arianism and Athanasius), with a “general political or military character, with slight reference to religion” on the coins, unlike some coins of Magnentius. Mattingly then suggests the possibility of a theme inspired by Virgil. The Galley type taking on the meaning of “new adventure in the unknown seas of the new age,”for example, or further suggestions, and question about the “Hut” types. Is it a barbarian, or a boy, being “led” out? Or perhaps Mars leading his son Romulus to his military career? He advises caution in accepting these suggestions however. He then, asmention before, discusses the denominations and reformation of the coinage and so on, and ending with the “barbarous” imitations of the type and a plate (with a few mistakes) of 50 coins. reference: "Fel. Temp. Reparatio" Harold Mattingly, Numismatic Chronicle,1933 reprinted in 1977 Further inormation: http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/ftr.html http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/notsev.html http://www.forumancientcoins.com/moonmoth/hut_coins.html http://www.bonannocoins.com/fel_temp.html http://www.lotn.org/~calkinsc/coins/feltemp/feltemp.html http://www.catbikes.ch/helvetica/feltemps.htm http://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Roman Mints
Thanks Randy, me too. I think these types are really appealing. Also, they convey such a brutal statement of raw Roman dominance. However, from a collector standpoint, the variety of types and corresponding attribution difficulties makes my head hurt sometimes.
Some may remember a short while back I mistakenly thought I had found the one coin I needed to complete my falling horseman mint set (I still need Trier). I started working on a page showing them all (actually more than the 13 cities since there are some mints that are hard to represent with just one coin) but shelved the project until I get a Trier.
