The CHI-RHO monogram challenge

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Ocatarinetabellatchitchix, Nov 16, 2019.

  1. Tejas

    Tejas Well-Known Member

    Here is a somewhat strange variant of the VRBS ROMA. It may just be a die flaw or break or something, but I think it is possible, that the second star was deliberately recut into a Chi-Rho.
    Screenshot 2019-11-19 at 22.04.24.png
     
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2019
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  3. Tejas

    Tejas Well-Known Member

    Here is a follis of Constantius II
    GLORIA EXERCITVS, two soldiers and
    one standard with chi-rho

    Mint: Arles

    Year: 336

    Screenshot 2019-11-19 at 22.12.40.png
     
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  4. Tejas

    Tejas Well-Known Member

    And a follis of Constans
    VICTORIA AVGG, Victory advancing left, head left, holding wreath and palm
    chi-rho in field left

    Mint: Siscia

    Year: 340-8 maybe just 347

    Screenshot 2019-11-19 at 22.20.55.png
     
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  5. Tejas

    Tejas Well-Known Member

    Another Constans. This is not exactly a Chi-rho, but a I-X for Iesus Xristus.
    VICTORIA AVGG, Victory walking left, head right, holding wreath in each hand
    I-X in field right

    Mint: Siscia
    Year: 347


    Screenshot 2019-11-19 at 22.32.52.png
     
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  6. +VGO.DVCKS

    +VGO.DVCKS Well-Known Member

    Thanks for uploading both of these.
    As a kid, I had an example of the Arcadius of Alexandria. I'd really like to find a replacement, some day, because of the convergence of the mint and the altered Chi-Rho sign.
    As you cogently demonstrate, other mints used this variant, which really was nothing more than that, relative to the more common "PX" version. But the Alexandria mint still has to evoke the fact --however anecdotally-- that the Coptic Christians (largely based in Alexandria) adopted /adapted the Egyptian ankh as a variant cross form, along the lines of the Tau Cross, etc. Even in Pharohnic times, the ankh could connote something as abstract as "life;" a pretty theologically-neutral concept. (Here's the Wiki article, which is, Snort, surprisingly good: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankh#Christianity)
    ...Didn't find that out until my example was long gone! But it's hard not to suspect that in Alexandria, the locals would have made the connection.
     
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2020
  7. Pishpash

    Pishpash Well-Known Member

    Got this one:

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
    Ruler: Constantius II
    Coin: Bronze Centenionalis
    D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG - bust right, wearing pearl diadem, between A and star
    CONCORDIA MILITVM - emperor standing left, holding two standards inscribed Chi-Rho, star above his head, A in left field
    Exergue:[​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
    Mint: Siscia (350 AD)
    Wt./Size/Axis: 4.70g / 22mm / -
    References: RIC VIII 284
     
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  8. Gavin Richardson

    Gavin Richardson Well-Known Member

    That’s really sharp. New dies I guess. Look at all that beading on the reverse!
     
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  9. gsimonel

    gsimonel Well-Known Member

    Constantius II
    [​IMG]
    (Bronze) AE3
    Siscia mint, A.D. 350
    Obv: D N CONSTAN-TIVS P F AVG
    Rev: HOC SIG-NO VICTOR ERIS - Emperor, standing, facing left, holding labarum (standard with Chi-Rho) being crowned by Victory
    •ΓSIS✳ in exergue; A in left field
    RIC 291
    21mm, 3.8g.

    Vertanio

    [​IMG]
    (Bronze) AE3
    Thessalonica mint, A.D. 350
    Obv: D N VETRAN-IO P F AVG
    Rev: VIRTVS EXERCITVM - Emperor, standing, facing left, holding labarum (standard with Chi-Rho) and resting hand on shield
    TESA in exergue
    RIC 138
    18x20mm, 1.4g

    Procopius

    Two chi-Rhos - one in the labarum and one in the upper right field:
    [​IMG]
    (Bronze) AE III
    Heraclea mint, A.D. 365-366
    Obv: D N PROCO-PIVS P F AVG
    Rev: REPARATI-O FEL TEMP - Emperor standing, facing right, holding labarum and resting hand on shield
    SMHB in exergue; • in left field, Chi-Rho in upper right field
    RIC 7
    17mm, 2.7g
     
  10. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    I don't believe anyone mentioned that this version is also found for Decentius.
    rx7135fd3164.jpg
     
  11. NewStyleKing

    NewStyleKing Beware of Greeks bearing wreaths

    Ptolemy lll, ChiRo, cornucopia, reduced drachm 40 mm 74 gm. I use it as a paperweight .If you fall in the Nile with these in your "pocket" you'll drown!

    upload_2020-7-13_15-16-8.png
     
  12. philologus_1

    philologus_1 Supporter! Supporter

    It isn't a beauty, but it is a bonafide example of a well-known, rare Constantine Chi-Rho type. I purchased it from a European dealer on VCoins in 2014, and the provenance can be tracked back to Giessener Munzhandlung 73, Lot 495, in October 1995.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    I know that "better in hand" is an over-used and somewhat suspect phrase, but in this case it is true. The patina is not as green as the above image shows. Instead it has a more brownish color -- almost chocolate.
     
  13. philologus_1

    philologus_1 Supporter! Supporter

    Indeed! And to raise the 1600 year mark a little higher, check out this one from the year 2000.
    upload_2020-7-13_16-28-43.png
    I have at least one coin produced in each century, 4th century AD to the 21st century, with some type of intentional Christian symbol or emblem.
     
  14. Cucumbor

    Cucumbor Well-Known Member


    I have one, unfortunately not "chiroed"

    [​IMG]
    Decentius, Maiorina - Lyon mint
    DN DECENTIVS CAES, bare bust, cuirassed right
    VICTORIA DD NN AVG ET CAE, two victories holding a wreath where is inscribed : VOT/V/MVLT/X. Dot and SV in field
    4.46 gr
    Ref : Cohen # 33, Roman coins # 4035, LRBC # 224

    Q
     
  15. philologus_1

    philologus_1 Supporter! Supporter

    Here's a type with a Chi-Rho that hasn't yet made an appearance on this thread:
    upload_2020-7-14_6-55-58.png
    AD 352 - AD 355
    Large AE2
    OBV.: D N CONSTANTIVS IVN NOB C: Bust of Constantius Gallus, bareheaded, draped, cuirassed, right; A behind bust
    REV.: FEL TEMP RE-PARATIO: Soldier, helmeted, draped, cuirassed, advancing left, spearing fallen horseman with right hand and wearing shield on left arm; shield on ground to right; horseman turning to face soldier, raising left arm
    ATTRIB.: RIC VIII Aquileia 196
     
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