Although it is obvious this coin has seen better days, it is still interesting as a variation in the rich and historic emissions minted soon after the death of Constantine I, affirming his heirs' legitimacy as Augusti. CONSTANTIUS II AR19mm 2.24g siliqua (F+) AV: anepigraphic; pearl diademed "eyes to heaven" head right REV: CONSTAN - TIVS AVG, victory advancing left holding wreath EXE: SMH Heraclea mint REF: RIC VIII Heraclea 11var, R3, unpublished head-dress var. 337AD. RIC VIII Heraclea 11 as described at p. 431 and illustrated in pl. 20 has a laurel and rosette diadem, rather than pearl diadem as this spec. Another similar coin was sold by H. D. Rauch Auction 89, lot 2087 in 2011: http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=1157380
I don't know siliqua very well, simply because I can't afford them. Although, those anepigraphic bronze AEs are rarer than than the common coins, it stands to reason that this siliqua would be too.
Interesting 'variety'.... My only siliqua is of Honorius---naturally, a bit pricier than the other typical types
Regarding the comments about prices being high for siliquae, I think that if you have a certain idea of what you realistically want and have patience enough to look and wait, you can end up with very good deals. Numismatik Lanz often offers these "eyes to heaven" siliquae, usually in VF and upwards condition and they go for upwards of 800-1000EUR. But Rauch's specimen of this unlisted variation sold for 500 in similar VF+ condition.
Speaking of these "eyes to heaven" portraits, Domitian toward the end of his reign had an engraver(s) produce such a portrait. I'm not quite sure which is the correct way to orient these.
This is excellent! Do you think it was done intentionally to convey a certain religious piety from Domitian's part?
Mattingly called it "lofty aspirations" in BMCRE II. However, I think it's dangerous to speculate and ascribe more importance to an engraver's whim than there really may have been. These "eyes to heaven" portraits struck for Domitian were not de rigueur for the mint, perhaps only one out of ten dies were engraved in this manner. Although for Constantine these portraits were coined in a more systematic manner and conveyed an image of great importance.
IMHO, Domitian's head is indeed lifted upward on the coin shown, similar to Constantine's portrait. Definitely an interesting style.
Very nice! I love the head towards heaven design. The design makes me think that Constantius looked for divine help in his first years in office. Man I love Siliqua! I still need to finish my payments on two Siliqua. Maybe after that I will post them here.
Nice siliqua ! I've a lot of unpublished siliquae struck for Constantius II. Some of them : CONSTANCE II ( 337-361) - ANTIOCHE - RIC VIII 107-V Silique, 347-348, R5 A/ D N CONSTAN-TIVS P F AVG Dominus Noster Constantius Pius Felix Augustus, Notre Seigneur Constance Pieux et Heureux Auguste Buste à droite, drapé et cuirassé, tête diadémée (Perles). R/ VICTORIA-AVGVSTORVM//SMANT Votis quinvicennalibus Multis tricennalibus., Vœux pour les vingt-cinq années de règne et plus pour les trente années à venir. La victoire allant à gauche, tenant dans sa main gauche un trophée, et une branche de palme, dans la main droite une couronne de lauriers dans laquelle est inscrite la légende en une ligne XXV. A ses pieds, un captif implorant la clémence. Argent, RIC VIII 107-V, RSC 340†h Commentaires : Une silique présente au British Museum (CGR146638) et non signalée dans le RIC. Elle a été frappée avec un coin de revers identique à celui du solidus RIC79. Frappes pour de donativum pour 348/349 (Cf . Bastien "monnaie et donativa au bas-empire" page 87). Poids observé de l'exemplaire du British Museum (CGR146638) : 2.23 gr http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/search.aspx?searchText=CGR146638 Fiche de la monnaie sur la base Siliquae
CONSTANCE II ( 337-361) - CONSTANTINOPLE - RIC VIII 59 NotInRic with pearl diadem (rosett official). Officine #1 Crédit photo : ©C.N.G. Officine #3 Crédit photo : ©coinarchivespro I think some other officina struck with the two variety of diadem...
=> 100% not true!! => your coin rocks!! ... plus, we can all tell how much you love your example!! (sweet addition) ... but wow, his is pretty sweet, eh?
