I need some help with this one. I have a couple of these Phoenix on rocks with the symbol in the right field. Constans AE3 Obv:- DN CONSTA-NS PF AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right, Rev:- FEL TEMP-REPARATIO, Nimbate Phoenix standing right on ile of rocks Minted in Siscia; (_ | Sym4 //DSIS?), A.D. 348-350 Reference:– RIC VIII Siscia 247 2.08 gms, 19.94 mm. 180 degrees From what I can make out this should be Symbol 4, which should occur with officina Delta. The letter at the start pf the exe doesn't look like a Delta and looks more like a Gamma or a damaged A. Thoughts? Martin
Do you think you could take some more photographs of just the exergue, with the light coming in from various directions so that we might better see that first Greek letter?
Just a question, @maridvnvm -- what are these symbols after the mintmark on these issues from Siscia. I suspect they are non-Latin, non-Greek letters, representing 1-5, but what language are they in? Here is one of Constantius II from the fifth officina, with ЄSIS(symbol 5):
It looks a little like Kharosthi (Indo-Bactrian), but I can't imagine why a mint in Siscia would use it to indicate officinas. I agree that RIC 249 is the closest match, but because of its condition, I don't think you can say with 100% certainty what it is. It's just too difficult, at least from a photo, to differentiate what was originally stamped on the coin and what appeared later due to corrosion.
I can accept the OP as damaged delta so the Siscian letter 4 is good. Mine is A=1. These are not easy to find.
Am I looking at the same pic as Doug? Here is what I'm looking at lightened and expanded: The initial character looks broader at the top than the base, so I don't see it as a delta irrespective of how damaged it may be. I'm a lot more comfortable calling it a <gamma>. While the figure in the right field has a lot in common with the figure on Doug's coin (something like a tuft of grass branching out) the figure associated with <gamma> in the exerge of a rockpile reverse for Constans sometimes looks similar (a hooked barb on a pole?): I think you could make a case for the marks of officina <gamma>. Edit: here is a shot of the full reverse of my example:
My only one like this and it is in horrible condition. I have another with Phoenix standing on globe CONSTANS AE3 OBVERSE: CONSTANS P F AVG - Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. REVERSE: FEL TEMP REPARATIO Exe: SIS• - Phoenix, radiate, standing right on pile of ashes. Struck at Siscia 348-350 AD 2.7g, 20mm RIC 232
I see damage but can't read what is under that damage. The Siscian letter is less clear than I'd like so could be a three. I have no four for comparison. Could it be E=5? We need more clear coins. Victor?
I can show comparisons if we move beyond the Constans/rockpile, but I don't recommend it. Things were not entirely uniform for these "Siscian" symbols between issues and issuers, let alone field symbols vs exergual. Here is a Constans/rockpile reverse exergual marking for officina A: I also have another worn example for gamma in which the symbol has a slightly altered shape.
Interesting variant with that symbol maridvnvm. I bought yesterday this interesting Constans, with a reverse like Vetranio's. Constans, Trier, Obv: FL IVL CONSTANS AVG, Rev: VIRTVS ....., soldier standing facing, head right, holding spear and resting on shield; TRS in exergue. RIC 76 And here is my Constans with Phoenix on pile.
