(seller's pic) Constantius II A.D. 352-355 Ӕ nummus 21mm 3.6g D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG; pearl diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right. FEL TEMP REPARATIO; Soldier spearing fallen horseman, LXXII in left field, Chi-Rho in center. In ex. AQP RIC VIII Aquileia 195 This FEL TEMP has a Chi-Rho on the reverse in the center. It is in rough condition but is actually fairly rare despite the RIC rating of common. LXXII is the weight standard (72 to a pound) and also appeared on coins from Siscia. These were issued shortly after Constantius II reclaimed Aquileia from Magnentius. So this coin checks several boxes --Rare --Chi-Rho --One of the few instances with a weight standard on the coin --historical significance…marks the recapture of Aquileia from Magnentius
Congrats, Victor! I love to see these types. They do not come up for sale often. Good catch! As you so rightly pointed out -- four cool "boxes" can be checked! Your numismatic data led me to see (and correct) an error in the data I had for a very similar coin in my collection. I have RIC VIII Aquileia 196, which at first glance looks like a twin-sister type to your 195. The two key differences (as you know) are in the obverse legend and the portrait's personage. The reverses are essentially the same. I've posted it before but here it is: Authority: Constantius II, 352-355 Mint: Aquileia; struck ca. 352-353 Denom.: Large AE2; 21.3 x 19.5 mm., 3.48 gr. Obv.: D N CONSTANTIVS IVN NOB C; Bust of Constantius Gallus, bareheaded, draped, cuirassed, right; 'A' behind bust. Rev.: FEL TEMP RE-PARATIO: Soldier, helmeted, draped, cuirassed, advancing left, spearing fallen horseman with r. hand, wearing shield on l. arm; shield on ground; horseman turning to face soldier, raising l. arm; LXXII in l. field, Chi-Rho in center; AQP in exergue. Attrib.: RIC VIII Aquileia 196. (Rare.)
That's a great pick-up! I also love all the Gallus examples posted. Newest addition to my Fallen Horseman (FH) collection. (Seller photo, edited by me.) LXXII (Siscia) -- but no Chi-Rho, unfortunately! The FH types have been my favorite series of Roman Imperial Coins for at least 20 or 25 years now, but I've only recently started trying to collect the "important" varieties and different mints. This post reminded me to put the Chi-Rho variety high on my wish-list (especially from Constantius Gallus, Aquileia), right after any Trier mint issue (needed to have one from every mint). The @philologus_1 Gallus is a very attractive coin in its own right, apart from being a fascinating & rare type. (Those surfaces look to me like an old collection. Anytime one of those old multi-generational, pre-WWI European family collections goes to auction, I notice a lot of late Roman bronzes with that appearance.)
I just got the coin today and was surprised how nice it is in hand. The seller's pic made me think it was almost stripped; but it has a nice patina.
As posted and shown above, I have a RIC VIII 195 of Constantius Gallus with Chi-Rho. And... now... I'm the new owner of the very same example of RIC VIII 196 of Constantius II with Chi-Rho that @Victor_Clark posted above. Both these Chi-Rho inclusive types are very rarely listed for sale or at auction. Thanks Victor for letting it re-enter the fray of availability. :-D These types allude to the re-capture of Aquileia (viewed very much as a 2nd Rome at the time) from Magnentius. The appearance of a Chi-Rho is fitting with the fact that the battle to retake Aquileia was framed as a "holy war". Constantius II was a staunch supporter of Arian-leaning Christianity, while Magnentius, though apparently nominally Christian, was viewed as a protector of pagan traditions to gain the support of the Roman Senate. Constantius II used the victory as evidence that God favored his specific theological stance over his rivals. The 352 AD recapture of Aquileia allowed Constantius II to consolidate religious authority in the West, eventually leading to the 353 AD Council of Arles, where he pressured Western bishops to condemn Athanasius of Alexandria, further centralizing his control over church dogma. Also in 353 AD Magnentius committed suicide. In the year after that, 354 AD, Constantius II had his cousin Constantius Gallus executed. Brutal times!
Enjoyed reading and learning from this post. Glad the transaction happened as long as both of you are happy. I can't think of 2 more knowledgeable people on this topic, at least that I know, than the 2 of you, @Victor_Clark and @philologus_1. And, both of you have been very helpful to me, and I thank you. Kenneth
