So, i am a newbie. Been posting on errors and coin roll hunting. Does anyone even have a clue what this is I have no idea where where to start. Ty!
You have a Roman coin from the mid-4th century. The reverse depicts the mythical phoenix standing on a globe. The Latin legend surrounding the phoenix is FEL TEMP REPARATIO ("happy times restored"). Several different emperors and mints are possible with this issue. Here is one similar: https://cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=119602
Welcome to ancient coins world! The mint mark on your coin (reverse - under the phoenix) appears to be SMKA - city of Cyzicus. Depending on the obverse legend (I cannot distinguish anything from photos) the emperor could be Constantius II or Constans. So most likely the coin is one of the last 4 results from here http://numismatics.org/ocre/results...ext:feltempreparatio+AND+mint_facet:"Cyzicus" (the first has a different reverse type) I don't specialize on these but it could also be a barbarous imitation (contemporary) Here is my similar example - emperor Constans, city of Siscla. Similar reverse but Phoenix is sitting on rocks.
Here's an image of your coin properly rotated. Judging by the size of the letters in the obverse inscription, I'd say the emperor on your coin was probably Constans. Note the star in the right field of the reverse. That narrows down the list of possibilities. According to RIC you coin is either Constantius II, minted in Cyzicus, or (my guess) Constans, minted in Nicomedia. In either case, it dates from 348 350 A.D.
You are very tenacious and inquisitive but don't spread yourself to thin. There is a lot out there narrow your like and desire and you will become one of CT's experts. You are becoming very knowledgeable fast. You go girl.
There is a trick for distinguishing Constans and Constantius II. Both used a legend that started DN and ended PF AVG so you ignore those sections. Also ignore word spacing since both split the name in the middle. Both names started CONSTA so your job is to decide if you have NS for Constans or NTIVS for Constantius. You don't need to read a single letter here - just count the bumps. If there are too many bumps to just be NS, you must have a Constantius. The presence of the Phoenix eliminates the other rulers who did not use that type. Mine below is Constantius II, Nicomedia, RIC 73B page 476. I do not have the Cyzicus version but that is what I believe yours is. If Constantius, it would be RIC 89 page 496; If Constans, RIC 90. That leaves you to count the bumps.
Thanks for the insight. will attempt your trick, hopefully I can do this as I still count simple math on by my fingers LOL!
Awwwww! Probably the nicest thing anyone has said to me lately! Thank you. . I so was telling myself just that the other day, that I might need to back up and go over what I have learned so far as to become more sure-footed. There is so much to learn in this world of coins. But I must admit that I find myself thinking, "it"s called Google" when I read some of the posts on here! lol
