My first Arcadivs coin

I thought I was finished for the year, but since I had nothing better to do today, I went out and.... came back with three new coins.
One thing is sure now, when it comes to my collecting ancient coins; I have no focus whatsoever.
I buy the coin that I like and can afford, period. Additional factor in me buying any coin is that I have no idea what it is.
With my latest 3 coins, only one is a mistery and I enjoy researching it.

The coin in question here is one of the rulers of the Eastern Empire, a synonym for a weak emperor it seems, but a person with important legacy in history and culture.
This coin has "cons" in exergue, which should mean it was minted in Constantinople, but I couldnt find such example in wildwinds.
Anyway, here is the coin:
Measures: 2.56gr & 15mm

 

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A decent example @Makanudo. Although I do not actively collect LRBs, I do have some. Here is my Arcadius:

 

Thanks @Bing .
Decent is fine enough for me.

 

I always like the three-quarters facing bust on this coin, and I believe there is a similar bronze type under Thedosius II. Those two are the only ones I know of that have the three-quarters bust in bronze. It’s a nice twist from what is normally expected and has the added bonus of being more affordable than the gold coinage. I’ll have to buy one someday. An excellent first!

 

Thank You @Milesofwho !

 

Welcome!

 

Many coins of this period are poorly centered on undersized flans. To me, there is a major difference between a coin that has lost inconsequential parts of the legend and those that lost what you need to identify the coin. Your coin has a good strong ARCA so it has to be Arcadius and CONS naming the city. Below are Antioch examples of Arcadius and Honorius. Note the right side of the legend is VSPFAVG on both coins so if your coin were centered to the opposite side you would not know which ruler it showed. When it comes to picking coins of purchase, I am very hard on coins that can't be identified. Your Arcadius tells what needs to be told.

 

A very cool coin. I love these. It might be worth seeking out a matching Honorius to go with it. It reminds me of the facing portraiture that would become much more prominent in Byzantine coinage, and I assume it probably evolved into that. The portraiture on these early example is more refined than what would become the norm. I have an Antioch example (can’t really be made out in the photo; I need to redo the reverse photo, but it’s rough anyway).



For kicks, here’s the tiniest coin I have, an Arcadius from Antioch:

 

The most photogenic one I could find of these difficult to photograph little coins:


Arcadius, AD 383-408
Roman Æ half-centenionalis; 1.15 g, 14.2 mm
Cyzicus, AD 388-392
Obv: D N ARCADIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust, right
Rev: SALVS REIPVBLICAE, Victory advancing left, with right hand carrying trophy over shoulder and dragging captive with left; ⳨ in left field, SMKΓ in exergue
Refs: RIC 26(c); LRBC 2578; RCV 20851.

 

Fun coin! Many say he is the beginning of the end but I still enjoy his coins better then the, IMHO kind of boring soon to follow Byzantine coins. I've always enjoyed the 3/4 facing with the simple cross in a laurel wreath on the back.

 

Nice coins all. I have this one coming from Turkey. The reverse really caught my eye. My first Arcadius coin also.
ARCADIUS 392-395 AD Æ4 Roman Bronze Nummus
Obverse legend: DN ARCADIVS PF AVG (pearl diadem, draped, cuirassed bust right)Reverse legend: GLORIA ROMANORVM (Emperor on horseback right, raising right hand)RIC IX 29b - Cyzicus Mintmark (Kapu Dagh, Turkey)(a45)
Diameter: 16,8 mmWeight: 1,89 g
Flavius Arcadius was the son of Theodosius I and Aelia Flaccilla. Born in 377 A.D., Arcadius was raised to the rank of Augustus by his father at the age of six. Upon the death of Theodosius in 395 A.D., Arcadius was given the Eastern half of the Roman empire while his brother Honorius received the Western half. Arcadius inherited none of his great father's skills and was under the influence of variously Rufinus the Praetorian prefect, Eutropius a courtier eunuch, the Goth Gainas, Empress Eudoxia and another Praetorian prefect Anthemius. Arcadius died in 408 A.D. and was succeeded by his young son Theodosius II.

 

I have a very similar coin, pretty similar condition. In hand I can barely read the mint.




ARCADIUS, 401-403 AD.

O: DN ARCADIVS PF AVG,Pearl-diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear and shield. / Constantinopolis enthroned facing, head right, foot on prow, holding scepter and Victory on globe. (CONSA in ex) Constantinople mint. RIC X:85, 17 mm, 3.0 g

 

Coins from these times are hard pressed to be in very good shape.. i think this is Arcadius with the spur on it..

 

Here's an Arcadius followed by Honorius. The first one is tiny but you can make out the legend. The second is a facing protrait.

 

Interesting coin, I like the facing bust and spear over shoulder... like he was marching to war.

 

Nice to end the LAST coin of the year with your FIRST Arcadius @Makanudo !


RI Arcadius AE2 383-408 CE Emp stdg Standard and Globe


RI Honorius 393-343 AE3 15mm Arcadius and Honorius Stdg


RI Aelia Eudoxia wife of Arcadius 395-401 CE AE3 2.83g 17mm crowned by hand of God Enthroned Constan mint RIC 79

 

they did mint some very small bronzes.

 

@Alegandron Thanks!
The more I read, the more I tend to agree with you.
I could have spent my money on various coins offered. It took me two hours browsing through vast lot ranging from kartaghena to 19th century gold

 

I find this true for myself as well. Over time a focus may develop.

 

Roman Imperial, Arcadius (395-401 AD) AE3, Antioch mint

Obverse: DN ARCADI-VS PF AVG, Pearl diadem, draped and cuirassed bust right.

Reverse: VIRTVS-EXERCITI, Emperor standing left, head right, holding spear and resting left hand on shield. Victory, standing beside him, crowns him with a wreath which she holds in her right hand. Mintmark ANTΓ.

Reference: RIC X 70

Ex: Kayser-i Rum Numismatics




Roman Imperial, Honorius (395-401 AD) AE3, Antioch mint

Obverse: DN HONORI-VS PF AVG, Pearl diadem, draped and cuirassed bust right.

Reverse: VIRTVS-EXERCITI, Emperor standing left, head right, holding spear and resting left hand on shield. Victory, standing beside him crowns him with a wreath which she holds in her right hand. Mintmark ANTΓ

Reference: RIC X 72; Sear 21031

Ex: Kayser-i Rum Numismatics



Arcadius AE 4. 383-408 AD, Constantinopolis, 1.4g, 13mm

OBV: D N ARCADIVS P F AVG, Pearl-diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right.

REV: VOT V in wreath. CON in ex.

REF: RIC IX 62




Aelia Eudoxia AE3, Antioch, 383-408 AD, 2.3g, 17mm

OBV: AEL EVDO-XIA AVG, Pearl-diademed, draped bust right, wearing necklace and earrings, crowned by hand of God.

REV: SALVS REI-PVBLICAE, Victory seated right on cuirasse, pointing to a shield inscribed chi-rho which rests on a low column, Mintmark ANTG.

REF: RIC X 104

Ex: Holding History +photo