I need some guidance on this Æ I found detecting last week. I didn't find much; only trash and old pins and stuff like that. This coin was the highlight of my trip. I have only slightly toothpicked the coin and it has had no major dipping or anything as well. Heres my shot at it: Unknown Late Roman Empire Obverse: Helmeted head (Minerva?) facing right Reverse: Figure standing front, holding (scepter?) with a standard to the right Visible Legend: IMP*IV / *N* ......................................................................................................................... Weight: 2.06 grams Diameter: 12.7 mm Denom.: Quadrans/Semis; Æ 3/4 NOTES: possibly provincial
Not 100% certain, but I'd bet Arcadius, Constantinopolis reverse, something like this: ARCADIUS (383-408), AE Obv: D N ARCADIVS P F AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear and decorated shield. Rev: CONCORDIA AVGG / CONS P, Constantinopolis seated facing on throne, head right, holding sceptre and victoriola
Not 100% certain, but I'd bet Arcadius, Constantinopolis reverse, something like this: ARCADIUS (383-408), AE Obv: D N ARCADIVS P F AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear and decorated shield. Rev: CONCORDIA AVGG / CONS P, Constantinopolis seated facing on throne, head right, holding sceptre and victoriola[/QUOTE] What are the mints this example were struck at? I thing you're pretty close, I've been doing some of my own research too. My only concern with the one you've presented is that the obverse legend isn't connected like my example. I'm trying to find one that is connected and I think we got it! This is the one that I found it matches the Obverse perfectly!
I suspect @David@PCC is right with Theodosius II - the obverse legend is a better fit with what I can see on your coin e.g. everything else between these two coins is essentially the same.
You can clearly see the IV near the top of the obverse. If the coin is of Arcadius, there would be a D in front of the I. Theodosius II would have an S there. In the photo an S seems more likely. Perhaps you can tell for sure with the coin in hand.
Istanbul-- I was there a few weeks ago to meet with my family and I'd always wanted to see the Hagia Sophia. There were some farm fields on the outskirts and I decided to try my luck since I brought the detector.
Turkey has some SERIOUS laws against removing antiquities from the country. Did you ever see the movie, "Midnight Express"?
On the one hand, pride of ownership of a 50 cent coin; on the other hand, 10 years in a brutal Turkish prison... You do the math.
You were very, very lucky somebody didn't see you you swinging that thing and report you. Didn't they say anything about your metal detector in customs? Seems that a large piece of electronics would draw some security attention both entering and leaving the country.
