Three Coins, One Type - Galleys of Constans

One of my more favorite reverse types is the Fel Temp Reparatio Galley most commonly used by Constans. These coins are usually the larger AE2 size, but can range as small as 17mm to as large as 25+. Dougsmit's page on Fel Temps suggests that some mints used the same reverse type for both the smallest and largest denominations (centenionalis?) of those coins.

The coins appear to commemorate the historic crossing of Constans over the channel to Britain in 342AD. Apparently this was a big enough deal to be put on coins all across the empire, so Constans must have been pretty proud of it.

I have three of the large AE2 sized Constans coins from three different mints! It's neat to observe the stylistic differences in these three coins that should have been nominally the same value.

1. Aquileia, 22mm

This coin has a large A to left of the portrait, and the reverse also has an A in the left field meaning...something...
The emperor on the galley holds a small Victory on the reverse, with Chi-Rho labarum. The victory on the galley itself is rather large and would probably be the same height as the emperor if she stood up, and both figures are quite realistic.

2. Arles (barbaric imitation), 24mm

At first I thought that this was an official issue of the Arles mint, which tended to have oddly-shaped heads. However, the overall consensus on this one is that it is a barbaric imitation, albeit a very finely done one.
The emperor on the galley is huge with a puffed-out Superman chest. The victory is rather fragile in comparison, and the galley is so small you can barely see it. Emperor also holds a victory on this one. Breasts are not as visible on this victory, but those dreadlocks are fire.

3. Cyzicus, 24mm


This emperor is also a tall, lanky and rather large guy compared to the petite victory behind him, and both have pencil necks. Unlike the other two, this has no "A" in left field but has the addition of a star in the right reverse. Also unlike the other two, he holds a phoenix with a halo around its head, which looks very similar to certain smaller Fel Temp issues such as the phoenix one below, an AE4 of Constantius. The fact that the phoenix looks just like another Fel Temp issue cannot have been a coincidence.

Another curious thing I noticed is that this lanky emperor on the reverse bears a striking resemblance to the hoaxed Etruscan "Old Warrior." This is definitely a coincidence.
b


4: Siscia
I no longer own this one, but I had a 18mm AE3 which represents the smallest version of the Galley.


Please show off your favorite Galleys!

 

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Nice coins.
Be careful with this Constans galley type - they are frequently faked. Happened to me once.. I received my money back and was able to keep the fake - so no harm. But it was an eye opener to know that even common LRBs are not immune to this kind of thing.

In case you are looking to acquire more examples it would be prudent to review the information on Forvm Ancient Coins at the link below.

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/fakes/thumbnails.php?album=47&page=3

 

I have one Constans Galley, from Trier, which I've only just acquired:

Constans Centenionalis, 348-350

Treveri (Trier) 1st officina (mintmark TRP). 23mm, 5.26g. Emperor standing left on galley, holding Victory on globe and standard with Chi-Rho in banner; Victory seated at stern, holding rudder (RIC VIII 219).

This one is from the Bridgnorth Hoard (Shropshire, England), found in 2007. The scattered hoard of 2,892 coins had been contained in a large pottery vessel, probably previously used as a cooking pot judging by burn marks on the outer edges. The hoard included coins from Probus to Constantius II (355AD), but was mostly Magnentius and Decentius, with 184 Fel Temp Repartio (Galley) coins of Constantius II and Constans.

 

I’ll have to check that out, wasn’t expecting $10 coins to be faked...

 

The part I find hard to understand is the small Constans coins are smaller than the AE2 Gallus coins suggesting that there was a second denomination or a restoration of standards at some mints. This is a question for our late Roman specialists.

I have trouble picking favorites:

Constans


Constantius II


Constantius Gallus

 

These coins all look fine. The only fake FTR Galley I have ever seen was one of a series of fake FTR and camp gate types which have extremely smooth and flat fields and are very round. Easy to tell when you have a real one in had.

The barbarous imitation is fabulous.

There are indeed two separate denominations that use this reverse. The largest and smallest of the three introduced in 348. The large one averages 5.2-5.3 grams (though with a lot of variation) and has a pearl ring diameter of 21-22 mm; the smaller averages 2.4-2.5 grams with a PRD of 17-17.5 mm.

It was Kraft, in 1958, who first proposed that the type represented Constans' crossing of the channel to Britain. The crossing was done in the winter of 342-343, likely in early 343, in order to repel a Pictish invasion. While crossing the channel was nothing special in those days, crossing in winter was, especially with an entire army.

SC

PS, as a Canadian I can't look at this type without thinking "don't stand-up in the canoe!".

 

Haha, come to think of it victory does look rather apprehensive in some of these, as she’s trying desperately to counterbalance the heroic emperor with her tiny-in-comparison body

 

Oh, as I said I like the coins - a lot. I was NOT questioning authenticity. I was just trying to share a mistake I had made and hope that anyone collecting these coins keeps an eye out ... I agree.. I was so surprised that coins selling for $10-$50 are faked.. but they are. I have one.

@otlichnik ..I have really enjoyed your input and followed your posts with great interest. I am a fellow Canadian - so I understand the perils of the canoe pose. It is nice to have an experienced collector from my country sharing their knowledge here.. thank you!

 

h.w.earl, They form an interesting group . I've only got one example of that reverse type pictured below .


Constans as Augustus, AD 337-350 (struck 348-350). Siscia Mint, Billon heavy maiorina: c. 5.2 gm, 23 mm, 1 h. RIC 256.

 

I haven't seen one from Constantinople posted yet, so here's mine, with Victory that looks like she'd be taller than the emperor is she stood up:

Constans
Caesar, A.D. 333-337
Augustus, A.D. 337-350
(Bronze) AE2
Constantinople mint, A.D. 348-350
Obv: D N CONSTA-NS P F AVG
Rev: FEL TEMP REPARTIO - Emperor, standing on galley, facing left, holding Victory on globe in right hand and labarum in left; Victory at helm.
CONSIA✳ in exergue; S in field
RIC 83
24mm, 5.2g.

 

I am worried about the Constantinople example by @gsimonel . I bought one from the same die pair that turned out to be a cast fake. With the closeness of the flan shape on that example I suspect that it is a cast fake too. Mine is the lower of the two coins below.

 

I hope that I don't kill the thread by sharing a small selection from my fleet of galleys....

Constans
Alexandria

Antioch

Aquileia

Arles

Cyzicus

Lugdunum

Rome

Siscia

Trier

 

Constantius II
Arles

Lugdunum

Rome

Siscia

Thessalonica

Trier


Constantius Gallus
Siscia


Magnentius
Trier

 

Yes, that CONSIA pair is worrying.

Come to think of it the fakes I was speaking of only had a small module Galley. I have never seen a large module Galley.

SC

 

Interesting. I received this coin in a bulk lot, from either CNG or Roma, I can't remember which. I pulled my coin out of its holder and examined it. I don't see any evidence of it being cast. Yet other evidence is unsettling--the die match, the unlisted officina. I checked forum fake report (https://www.forumancientcoins.com/fakes/displayimage.php?album=47&pos=69).

Those coins are cast. Was mine the original?

Then I checked this galley fake--https://www.forumancientcoins.com/fakes/displayimage.php?album=47&pos=59--and saw this comment: "The coins are very well made, struck not cast (transfer die)."

I'm guessing that there must also be struck fakes of this coin, too?

EDIT: There are also what appear to be traces of silvering in places, for example, in front of the emperor's face on the reverse, and behind Victory. Very puzzling.

 

As I recall the story, George Washington and many of his 300 men crossing the Delaware river to attach the Hessians in Trenton probably had little choice in the matter. The boats used were meant for cargo and did not have seating accommodations even of canoe grade. Sitting would have meant wet pants unless you had one of the positions occupied by the boatmen who probably had more water-resistant clothing than did the general. Had Washington fallen in and drowned, current US quarters might still have an image of the Queen rather than George Washington. I have considerable reservations about crossing a rapid, ice choked river in any type of boat standing or seated.

For the record, my mother's side of the family traced back to my 6 greats grandfather who deserted from the Hessians and moved to the wilds of Pennsylvania. He was a boy who kept the horses so I have no genes that suggest I might be likely to have water skills. Genealogy studies is always a risk. People research hoping to find kings or famous people. Some find, instead, opportunists, deserters and horse thieves.

 

The matching flan shape would indicate a that it is either a cast or the host

 

Did you see one of these with Constans holding a globe on the obverse?

 

Follow up: I tracked down the auction. Here's a photo of the lot:

The listing says "From the inventory of a European dealer."

If it turns out that mine was the host coin, what do you think would be an appropriate punishment?

 

The lovely and scarce "globe bust"!

This was used on the second issue of the large FTR Galley at Thessalonica (TSA❋) for Constantius and Constans. Yours is one of these - interestingly with the star placed to the right and up to leave room for the bank of oars.

This bust did not appear on the first issue at Thessalonica (TESA). It was also used on the Falling horseman TSA❋ issue at Thessalonica for Constantius and Constans. It was used at Roma, where it appears on the ❋ / RP Falling horseman issue for Constantius II and Constans.

These issues were likely struck towards the end of the first series, circa early to mid-349.

The special bust was also used later on the rare Falling horseman type struck at Roma for Constantius under Magnentius, from January to February 350.

Nice find.

SC