Sometimes when browsing something really catches your eye. This coin did exactly that. It is a Galley type - FEL TEMP REPARATIO of Constans but is a largely silvered example which is something you don't see that often and is also nice and sharp. Constans - AE2 Obv:- D N CONSTANS P F AVG, Pearl diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right Rev:- FEL TEMP-REPARATIO, emperor in military dress standing left on galley, holding Phoenix and labarum, Victory sitting at the stern, steering the ship Minted in Aquileia; (//AQP dot), A.D. 348-350 Reference:– RIC VIII Aquileia 99 (C) I am also attaching a detailed section of the reverse. When expanded (please click on the image) you can see the detail of the engraver's tool marks on the hand of the emperor holding the labarum. You can also see horizontal striations on the flat areas. My hypothesis, originally postulated about a denarius of Septimius Severus is that these are remnants of the die preparation. After the incuse areas have been engraved in the die there would be small burrs on the die. The application of a file across the die would remove these burrs before the die was used. These would disappear from the die due to natural die wear during the striking process. I hope you think this coin worthy of sharing. Martin
A really nice example. Look at how angularly the seriphs are engraved on the letters. The preservation of this example really lets you see how precisely the letters are engraved, or were they using letter punches at this time?
That was a later development. This would seem to be a great example of a very early strike. We seem to see more o these field scratches in some issues than others. I suppose the difference could be on what was done to deburr the die (file, leather strop???) or it could just be that we have looked at more coins from these periods. I know we have looked at too many Severans! How many coins would a die strike before the smoothing scratches would disappear?
I like the very clear and prominent Chi-Rho labarum. No possible confusion with an IMP JVLIANUS piece
Fantastic coin. I saw another one, in similar condition a few days ago and didn't buy it because the seller was asking a very high price. They seem to appear on the market in high grade lately. Has a hoard of them been found recently ? Q
Really nice coin! Congrats! Great sharpness and the silvering is some of the best I have seen for the type.
I must admit to being a bit of a cheapskate and didn't pay what I consider a very high price for this one. Regards, Martin
Sweet new addition, Martin (congrats) Amazingly, I have never pulled the trigger on one those galley-types
While you will have to look very hard to find one as nice as the OP these are common coins available in many variations and mint marks. The big difference is that many have a Victory in place of the Phoenix on the OP. Both also were issued in the name of Constantius II but the type supposedly honors Constans' visit to Britain so it seems it would be better to have one of his if you only want one. Trier Victory Siscia Phoenix CSII Lugdunum phoenix CSII Thessalonika Victory Another 'chip' coin --- you can't eat just one.
Here's mine: Constans, AD 337-350 AE, 2.9g, 19mm; 1h; Siscia, AD 348-350 Obv.: DN CONSTA-N PF AVG; diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right Rev.: FEL TEMP REPARATIO; emperor in military dress standing left in galley, holding phoenix on globe and standard with chi-rho on banner, in the stern sits Victory steering the ship In Ex.: ASIS (symbol?)
