Who can tell me whats so special about this? Don't say it here, I'll announce it tomorrow. I only paid 10 pounds for it. My thanks to De Orc for directing me to the fair. Please pardon my pathetic photography, I haven't gotten my light setup together yet.
Others may be like me - we don't know enough about ancients to venture a guess. I assume you cherrypicked a rare variety.
Hanniballianus AE3 - 16mm Constantinople, 336-337 AD FL HANNIBALLIANO REGI bare headed bust r. SE-CVRITAS PVBLICA Euphrates reclining, holding sceptre, urn at his side, reed in background CONSS in ex. RIC VII Constantinople 147 R2 This is a small bronze coin issued with the portrait and legends of Hanniballianus, nephew of Constantine the Great. He was given the title "Rex regum et Ponticarum gentium" (King of kings and of the Ponthic people) by his uncle in 336. The Kingdom of Pontus was a client state that oscillated between being controlled by the Sassanain Empire and the Roman Empire. At the time, Constantine was preparing a massive invasion of the Sassanian Empire and had chosen Hanniballianus to rule the Pontic kingdom after his victory. But Constantine died before the campaign began, and his nephew was never to see his "kingdom". Hanniballianus was killed in the purges of the dynasty by Constantius II in 337. Coins of this ruler are very rare. Only four varieties are known for him, compared to thousands for his higher ranking cousins. To give an idea of price, the cheapest on Vcoins right now is $215.
Very nice coin Ardatirion! I never would have been able to attribute it. Coins of Flavius Hanninalianus are indeed rare. I have just found out that he ever even existed. Now you will need to get yourself the Siliqua... Congratulations! Eduard
Nice coin, and a real bargain. The only Hannibalianus coin i've ever possessed was tremendous....but fake, unfortunately :headbang: See here