New Arcadius AE2

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by ancient coin hunter, Jan 17, 2018.

  1. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    This one comes from @John Anthony 's auction of last week and arrived in the mail yesterday with two other coins I won. For the price, it can't be beat and it is an excellent example of a larger Arcadius bronze piece, weighing in at 5.7 grams, comparing to about 1.2 grams for the little tiny common Arcadius coins.

    Arcadius ruled the Eastern empire from 395-408 A.D., inheriting this role from his father Theodosius who was the last sole ruler of a united Roman Empire.

    AE 21, 5.7 grams, 11h; Antioch mint

    Obverse: D N ARCADI-VS P F AVG; Rosette-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right

    Reverse: GLORIA ROMANORVM; Emperor standing facing, head right, holding standard and globe.

    Exergue: ANT

    Reference: RIC IX Antioch 68c, p. 294

    arcadius6.jpg

    arcadius7.jpg

    One can imagine that his subjects, when beholding this coin, could indeed imagine Arcadius as the Glory of the Romans, at a time when the western empire was running into serious trouble...
     
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2018
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  3. John Anthony

    John Anthony Ultracrepidarian

    Yeah, that's a very nice example of a type that is usually quite rough.
     
  4. bsr045

    bsr045 Well-Known Member

    Neat coin, here's mine from Nicomedia. 5.15 g 22mm

    Untitled.jpg
     
  5. randygeki

    randygeki Coin Collector

  6. smolsketchkid

    smolsketchkid Member

    cool. roman coins were often used as propaganda to influence the subjects of the empire when the telephone and the internet did not exist. thats a pretty cool coin there.
     
  7. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    That's very true. Without newspapers, they were used to circulate the "news" throughout the reaches of the empire. And emperors/empresses did not often appear in an unfavorable light.
     
  8. Severus Alexander

    Severus Alexander find me at NumisForums

    AE2 is the sweet spot for lrbs, yes? Another Nicomedia:
    Screen Shot 2018-01-17 at 4.33.02 PM.jpg
     
  9. chrsmat71

    chrsmat71 I LIKE TURTLES!

    YES! Wish I had an Arcadius AE2!
     
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  10. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Very nice, great pick up.
     
  11. gsimonel

    gsimonel Well-Known Member

    Hard to imagine ordinary people thinking about the glory of Rome while holding a coin depicting the image of a weak, disinterested 17-year-old emperor. Past glory, maybe . . .

    Beautiful coin, though.
     
    ancient coin hunter likes this.
  12. gsimonel

    gsimonel Well-Known Member

    BTW, he does have a nice AE3, too:
    [​IMG]
    AE III
    Cyzikus mint, A.D. 392-395
    Obv: D N ARCADI-VS P F AVG
    Rev: GLORIA ROMANORVM - Emperor on horseback, riding right, right hand raised
    SMKΓ in exergue
    RIC 29(b)
    17mm, 2.0g.
     
  13. Cucumbor

    Cucumbor Well-Known Member

    Nice score, even though the picture is a bit dark

    Not a Gloria Romanorum, but here's my sole AE2 of his

    [​IMG]
    Arcadius, AE 2 struck in Alexandria, 3rd officina
    D N ARCADIVS P F AVG, Diademed bust of Arcadius right
    VIRTS EXERCITI (sic !), Arcadius, standing right, a captive at right foot, holding globe and standard. ALE gamma at exergue
    6.28 gr
    Ref : RIC # 18, RC #4230, LRBC #2896 var

    Q
     
  14. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    Very nice one @Cucumbor !
     
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  15. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Great coins everyone!

    I have Arcadius...

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

    With his Brother:

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

    And his Wife:

    upload_2018-1-18_13-0-44.png
    RI Aelia Eudoxia wife of Arcadius 395-401 CE AE3 2-83g 17mm crowned by hand of God Enthroned Constan mint RIC 79
     
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  16. 7Calbrey

    7Calbrey Well-Known Member

    Gloria Romanorum .. All the way.. I admired the nice bust.

    Arcad O Ric9-41b    ANTS.jpg Arcad Rev                No star.jpg
     
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  17. John Anthony

    John Anthony Ultracrepidarian

    Yeah, good point! Well, that would be the propaganda part.
     
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