An Obscure AE3 of Constans

Exactly, that what I was trying to say. Their market was a western one, and in that market this coin might have been more available. Not everyone is aware of when the RIC were written and what has happened to the coin market in the meantime.

 

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i dig a good bargain bin score...good eye JA.

also like to see some cool LRB.


you down with LRB? yeah, you know me!

 

I scored another less-common LRB cheapie today - no point in making another thread, so I'll put it here. This one is a SPES REIPVBLICE type of Constantius II. The seller's pic isn't great, but he says it's a very dark coin and difficult to photograph. But from what I can see, it has acceptable surfaces, decent detail, and full legends.

These aren't rare by any means, but they aren't common either, and most of the ones I've seen are in decrepit condition. I'm hoping this bad-pic gamble pays off. I'll post my own image as soon as it arrives.

For whatever reason, Spes is mentioned frequently on 3rd-century legends, but evidently becomes quite unfashionable in the 4th. Does anyone know why? Does anyone have one of these?

 

that's a very nice one JA, full reverse legend and all. i have a couple int poor shape, not worth taking a pic of even. these things seem to be more beat up than the usual soldiers with stands and two victories types...why is that?

 

I seem to have three of this type, but all are in poor condition collected many years ago:

 

I have a Constantius with this reverse.....
its rough as hell. View attachment 369059 View attachment 369060
View attachment 369059 View attachment 369060

 

I actually got the SECVRITAS REIP i posted in a lot along with a SPES REIPVBLICE and a few other coins

 

Spes arrived today. A little bit of pitting and crud, but really nice for the type, and much nicer than the seller's pic...

 

JA, now we can say it's a nice coin, right?

 

I guess I'm on a bit of a Brothers-Constantine binge. I found this AE3 of Constantius II today and made a low-ball offer which the seller actually accepted. These little Vota coins are typically in poor condition - struck off-center and extremely worn. They must have circulated hard, and there must have been a lot of them at some point. RIC lists no less than 10 officinae churning out Vota coins with this mint mark, RIC VIII 47, although it appears that coins of Constantius II were made primarily by the second, third, fourth, and sixth.

Seller's pic...



Here's a tidbit from RIC...

"The inhabitants of the city of Cyzicus comprised, according to Sozomen, two main classes: those working in the imperial textile factory, and those employed at the mint." (RIC VIII, p. 486) Interesting. I didn't think of the Romans as having textile factories - that sounds more like something of the Industrial Revolution. I wonder what they were like?

 

that is a nice one JA, mint mark and outer circle of dots intact. nice mint mark and most of the outer circle of dots..those are kind of hard to see on most of them.

 

very nice => a couple of super new Const-additions, JA ... congrats

Ummm, do you have anything lined-up for the weekend, my friend?

... cutting down and decorating a tree or anything festive?

 

The tree is up and the presents ordered. I'm spending the morning at my daughter's college tomorrow - ID card, placement exams, meeting with Registrar, financial aid, all that fun stuff.

 

You sound like a great father ... good job

what is she taking? (Mining Engineering?)

 

Biology/Zoology - she wants to work for a zoo someday.

 

Let her take care of me, Steve. TIF and Doug when we move to the old folks home. Talk about a zoo!!

 

Hey, I'll join y'all as long as I can take CT with me.

 

Hrrmmmphh, JA => that fricken whipper-snapper!! (I'm ol' school)

 

FORGET ME NOT

 

Here is my Constantius II SPES REIPVBLICE
16 mm. 1.73 grams. Struck 355-361 according to RIC.
RIC Constantinople 149 "scarce".
After more than three decades of looking, I'd say this type is rare in high grade, unlike most other Constantius II types.