Small LRB ID needed

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Makanudo, Feb 20, 2017.

  1. Makanudo

    Makanudo Well-Known Member

    Hello E-one,

    This coin needs some clean up, and I was unable to identify it as it is now.
    If anyone can pinpoint it, I would appreciate it.
    Thanks

    SAM_3361.JPG SAM_3362.JPG
     
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  3. Pellinore

    Pellinore Well-Known Member

    It's a Gloria Exercitus ("Glory of the Army") type from Constantine the Great or one of his sons. It looks like a television on a pole, but it is a vexillum, a military flag that's held between two soldiers. See here on Vcoins.
     
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  4. Makanudo

    Makanudo Well-Known Member

    Thanks Pellinore!
     
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  5. gsimonel

    gsimonel Well-Known Member

    Looks like it was minted in Arles (SCONST mint mark?). Pellinore is correct about the reverse type. The obverse inscription is unbroken, so it's not Constantine the Great; it's either Constantine II, Constantius II, Constans, or Delmatius. I don 't think it's Delmatius since it looks like the letters CON appear at around 9:00. So that narrows it down to one of CtG's three sons. It's not Constantine II, however, since his inscriptions begin with CON, and there appear to be too many letters in the inscription for Constans, so that leaves Constantius II as the most likely candidate. Check the last 3-4 letters of the obverse inscription. Do they look like NOBC or AVG? NOBC would place it before Constantine's death in 337, IMP after. Is that an "X" or a Chi-Rho in the flag? A Chi-Rho would also place it before 337; but an "X" could be either.
     
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  6. Makanudo

    Makanudo Well-Known Member

    Gsimonel,

    It is still not readable to me. I can only say that inside the flag is a symbol an not an X.
    Here are few more photos. Maybe someone will see more than I do:

    SAM_3364.JPG SAM_3365.JPG SAM_3366.JPG SAM_3368.JPG
     
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  7. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Looks like it may be a chi-rho
     
  8. Makanudo

    Makanudo Well-Known Member

    What is Chi Ro?
     
  9. Makanudo

    Makanudo Well-Known Member

    Ok.
    I googled it.
     
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  10. ro1974

    ro1974 Well-Known Member

    dont clean it of beter trye to keep that beautyfull patina:happy:
     
  11. Makanudo

    Makanudo Well-Known Member

    It is nice patina.
    :pompous:
     
  12. Theodosius

    Theodosius Fine Style Seeker

    I like the color!
     
  13. Makanudo

    Makanudo Well-Known Member

    Thanks Theodosius
     
  14. gsimonel

    gsimonel Well-Known Member

    Depends which is more important to you - a nice patina or a positive ID. My guess is if you zapped it you would be able to get a positive ID, but you'd lose the patina. You might be able to get off enough encrustation with a brass-bristle brush to read a bit more of the inscription. That wouldn't hurt the patina.
     
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