Theodosius II, RIC X 424 Confirmation

I just received a new coin I'm pretty excited about. I'm a big fan of late late-Roman AE & this is a good one. RIC X-424 (R5) is listed as probably Theodosius II, as the only known example, in the British Museum, has an obverse that can't be read. The reverse is nicer & the Mint Mark, fortunately, is on-flan, so we know it was struck at least at Constantinople. As far as I can tell, that coin in the B.M. was the only one known anywhere (if anyone knows of more, please let me know). I came across another, in pretty darn good shape. The obverse can be definitively read, confirming Kent's guess in RIC (Kudos!). The Re, while sharp, does not have the mint mark on-flan, so no new info there (though I'd bet anything that's it's CON; classic portrait style & the Ob Leg has the curved "E" that showed up there around this time). The Re legend can be confirmed as "...LICAE" & not "...LICE". It is unusually large & massive for even an AE3 of the era at 15.5 X 14mm & 1.9g, 0° axis. Combined with the scarcity, I wonder if it was some kind of non-standard issue? Given out at an event maybe?
Ob: DN THEODO-SIV(S PF AVG) / P. Diad. Dr. & Cuir. Bust R.
Re: (SALVS REI)-PVBLICA(E) / Emp. Enth. F., Nimbate? (In-hand it's clearer, facial details clear, & it really does not seem nimbate, but I have examples from other types with similar devices where it is subtle, so who knows?) & in Consular robes, holds Mappa in R. & cruciform scepter in L., star in L. field. In Ex: ? (CON)
Obverse pic is closer to the look in-hand. Even, smooth surfaces, darker green patina with a nice olive-tan fill highlighting. Beautiful coin. Purchased from Ebay seller, Numis Fitz.
Any thoughts or info anyone has would be greatly appreciated. Also, it was suggested I let the British Museum know about this coin, & I would very much like to, but I have absolutely no idea how to do that. Does anyone know a way to contact them? Thanks in advance.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Happy New Year Luke, we joined at nearly the same time. Cheers to working on 8 years.

 

I believe Richard Abdy is curator of Roman coins at the BM. Contact info for the Department of Coins and Medals can be found at the following link:
https://www.britishmuseum.org/our-work/departments/coins-and-medals

 

Thank you very much!

 

Cool. & to you too. & cool token