I have managed to obtain another Falling horseman barbarous imitative. This time a tiny one. Not all the legend is visible on the obverse but I am concluding it to be an imitative of Constans. Constans - AE4 Obv:– D N CONSTA-N[S P F AVG], Pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev:– [FEL TEMP RE--IARAIIII, Soldier standing left, knee raised, spearing a fallen horseman who is wearing a Phrygian helmet, reaching backwards Tiny barbarous imitation. 1.22 gms. 180 degrees. 12.77 mm The classic mix of Is on the the reverse legend.
I had several of these really tiny FHs, along with a couple VRBS ROMAs, too, all between 10-12 mm. As small as or even smaller than the late 5th century AE5s. I can't imagine them circulating along side the regular AE3 FHs. Does anyone know more about these? Time period? Region? Maybe Vandalic-era imitations? Wroth lists a few in his Vandals, etc., catalog. But why copy a 100-year-old coin, rather than something that was currently circulating? I think there's a real interesting story behind some of these, but I don't know what it is.
