soldier spearing fallen horseman, but who?

Okay I feel like I'm walking in here with my tail between my legs. I'm usually able to figure out a coin by doing some research but I'm still a noob at this and just cant put my finger on this one.

The reverse is definitely a soldier spearing a fallen horseman, with some faint lettering on both sides, possibly EMP on the top left by the raised spear. The obverse is little bit more clear with the letters SPEAVG to the right (could be a bit wrong there). I need to get hold of a nice setup so that I can examine these coins a bit better, at the moment I'm stuck with no lighting and a jewelers loupe.

It is 15mm in diameter.



I could try get a better photo if needed.


Thanks,

 

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Constantius II
D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG/ FEL TEMP REPARATIO,

Maybe Doug can tell which mint

 

Thanks! I thought it might be constantius II but I couldn't really tell whether it may have also been a constantius gallus. Do you guys have any tips/websites that can help me get better at identifying coins?

 

It's probably Constantius II because his FEL TEMP horseman issues are very common, but the type was also issued by Constantius Gallus (less common) and Julian II (rare). The pic is too small for me to make out the obverse inscription.

 

Doug Smith, who posts at here at CT, has composed a wonderful set of pages that are useful for collectors of all levels, but especially beginners.

http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/

 

Thanks, I've actually managed to get some more magnified pictures by putting my jewelers loupe right under the camera lense lol.. Hopefully you guys can now see the letters.





I'm pretty sure on the obverse it says SPEAVG and on the reverse I can make out a P on the left and possibly AOPH on the right?

 

At this site you can type your partial legend and it will provide a list of possible matches. In this case, if you input the legend from Randy Geki, then you will probably find your coin depicted with all the Constantius II coins.
http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/findstr.html

 

Thanks! I'll make sure to keep this site bookmarked. I'll give it a go and try put in the letters I can make out.

 

I doubt its Gallus as the portrait does not have his typical look. He always had a really weird portrait on coins, I kind of hope he didn't actually look like that, (though of course he was a pretty awful ruler).

 

Yes, it's definitely Constantius II. The legend that you see on the obverse is actually PF AVG, P(IVS) F(ELIX) AVG(VSTVS). Gallus was never Augustus - his legends end with NOB C. Julian's legends end with IVLIANVS N C.

 

Ah yes I see it now! Thanks a lot

 

The easiest way to tell the difference between Constantius II and Constantius Gallus is FH coins of Gallus (And Julian II) are " bare-headed" vs the pearl-diademed bust on Constantius II (as well as Constans and Magnentius who also have FH coins, though hard to find).

 

I think yours is RIC Thessalonica 189 variant

 

But who? Who than non-other than that most marvelous of reluctant spy guys....

 

Agree. The small size and the delta in the reverse field suggest the series where the field letter was the workshop (A through E) rather than the weight series and that was only Thessalonica. I show a set in the Thessalonica section of my page and believe the syyle confirms Randy's suggestion. The missing mintmark would be SMTS. Thee are common coins but scarce in great shape will full legends and mintmark.

http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/fh.html

 

Hey guys, wait-up!! ... I have a Constantius II ...

CONSTANTIUS II SILVERED AE2 (Maiorina/Centenonialis)
Heraclea mint, 1st Office
348-351 AD
Diameter: Large size: 22 mm
Weight: 5.1 grams
Obverse: : D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG. Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right
Reverse: FEL TEMP REPARATIO, soldier standing left, knee raised, spearing fallen horseman and is reaching backwards. Left field: Star. Mintmark SMHA in exergue
Reference: RIC VIII 67
Other: a great exemplar of this interesting coin, conserving full details including the 30% of the original silvering ... very strong relief

 

Definitely one of the better representatives of the type, Steve. My best example has decent detail, but no silvering. I don't believe they were all silvered. In fact, I think bare bronze was the rule for these coins. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

Constantius II, 317-361 AD
AE Half Centenionalis, 18mm, 2.5g: Siscia mint: 351-355
Obv.: Diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right.
Rev.: Soldier standing left, spearing falling horseman // BSISS
Reference: RIC VII 352