Got this in the mail today. For its size, it's quite nice. I also love the style of the lettering, particularly how the "M" looks like 2 A's (which looks like a Delta). Constantius II DN CONSTAN-TIVS PF AVG pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right TEMP-REPARATIO , soldier spearing fallen horseman, bare head, reaching (headwear/hairstyle not in RIC) ALEA / M in left field Alexandria 84
Various mints used different 'fonts' and changed styles over time. The Cyzicus below has a similar M but the A's in the encircling legend was made as we make H. I wonder if the die cutter pronounced REPARATIO "rep-air-ate-e-oh" since he drew the A's as Greek does eta. Randy is showing us what happens when you start studying coins rather than just gathering them in a collection. He has already shown us through various posts on CT more information on FH stylistic variations than you will find in paper/ink books I have seen. Did anyone reading my post above make note that the H for A in Reparatio did not carry through to the SMKA mintmark or the two A's on the obverse? Yes the obverse letters are weak on this specimen so missing that might be forgiven. Perhaps that is why students of coins don't mind having many duplicate specimens which contribute together to the body of understanding of the subject. That is also something we gain here when people 'pile on' related coins. I am not encouraging posts with completely unrelated things ("I don't have a Constantius II but here is my coin of his grandfather") but the modern digital camera and Internet connections make it possible to see significant coins even when those sharing are half a world away.
Who said, "Why is the M in the field not the same as the one on SMKA?" Does this tell us anything? Maybe Randy will explain it in his book in 2038??? No pressure.
Very nice coin you've picked up, Randy! Here's the solo one I have in my collection. Constantius II D N CONSTAN-TIVS P F AVG, pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. FEL TEMP REPARATIO, helmeted soldier with shield spearing fallen horsemen who is reaching backwards. (dot) ANH in exergue. RIC VII Antioch 148 17mm, 2.6g
Thanks all and nice coins! Thats a tricky one, at least for me. Maybe they were done by different workers. The "M" in the ex is similar to one in TEMP, but the "A"s are different. However, the "A" in SMKA would look like an "A" since is referring to a number, 1. So mabe 2-3 people, maybe a another for the soldier and horseman? The H/A's having more to with pronunciation makes sense, but I only have 1 myself from the mint like that. It's also a later issue but I have another later issue that has plain "A" not H/A.
