Here's another one I've recently managed to strike off the ol' want list. The obverse doesn't look very different from the average LRB, but flip it over and this 4th century AE4 could almost pass off as a 2nd or 3rd century Thracian provincial issue with a river god reclining reverse. I get a real kick when I imagine this unusual and rare little coin being minted in Constantinople right alongside a gajillion 'Soldiers and Standards'. This particular example has a fair bit of wear on it, but the sandy surfaces really bring the portrait and reverse into bold relief. HANNIBALLIANUS as Rex Regum AE4 1.48g, 16mm. Constantinople mint, 336 - 337 AD. RIC VII 147, LRBC 1034, Cohen 2. O: FL HANNIBALLIANO REGI, bare-headed, draped, cuirassed bust right. R: SECVRITAS PVBLICA, Euphrates seated right on ground, holding sceptre, overturned urn at his side, from which waters flow, reed in background. Mintmark CONSS. It's also always interesting for me when a coin illuminates a small pocket of history (or in this case, a small ball of lint in a small pocket of history) : Flavius Hanniballianus was Constantine I's nephew, and along with the hand in marriage of Constantine's eldest daughter Constantina, also received the title Rex Regum et Ponticarum gentium (King of Kings of Pontus and its Peoples) and rule over Armenia and Pontus. Apart from being abit much, the title of Rex Regum seemed designed to provoke the neighbouring Sasanian ruler Shapur II (who bore the traditional title of Persian emperors shahanshah, or King of Kings), as did the reverse of Hanniballianus's coin showing the personification of the River Euphrates. Whatever Constantine's plans for Hanniballianus were, they came to nothing. Shapur II would break a forty year peace with the Romans and proceed to invade and eventually recapture Armenia. Soon after Constantine died, his three bloodthirsty sons had Hanniballianus murdered along with his brother Dalmatius. Z.
Not an emperor, but the "King of the Kings and of the Pontic Peoples." The area was under Persian influence at the time. Constantine apparently intended to reconquer the area and place Hannibalianus in charge, but the emperor died before the plans were put in motion. Hannibalianus was slain in the purge that followed Constantine's death. I owned one of these. Found it in a bin of grossly over priced Constantinian bronzes. I happily paid the full $20 asking price and walked off.
I'm sure you paid a pretty penny for that rarity. That's exactly the kind of Hannibalianus I would be looking for: a mid-grade piece with a "desert patina" in the fields that highlighted the fields - because I certainly would not be able to afford one in EF. Well-done!
I especially like the reverse. Cool coin. Armenia was an interesting area. It was usually dominated by Persia, yet as a borderland with Rome was always involved in intrique with her. Armenia was the home of a fairly strong Parthian noble family who was involved in later Sassanid affairs.
Very nice. Most have costed a fortune. I doubt I'll ever get one of those for my collection. Well done!
Once again I am jealous. I still need one of these, but haven't found one I can afford. This is a very nice coin for the period.
Thanks, everyone. This seems to be one of those scarcer coins that comes up often enough in auctions, and will often hammer for less than you'll find them listed for in the (online) coin stores. I paid about $170 after fees, which I was happy with for the type and condition. Still quite abit more than Arda's 'grossly over priced bin' surprise, but I'll never be that lucky. There is supposed to be a silver issue of his with a similar reverse design, but it must ridiculously rare. I've never seen it.
Jusf keep your eyes open Zumbly, you will run across deals if you pay attention. I spotted an Ostrogothic bronze in a pile of byzantine junk once and paid about $40 for 50 coins, including the Ostrogoth. Even that Ostrogoth tremissis I found at a bullion dealer who could not even pronounce its name, and got a really nice price on it. With knowledge you can still find deals. It appears you have the knowledge, so keep at it.
