Different Solidus of Constantinople, Rome, Ravenna and Sicily?

I was sitting down and noting how exactly each solidus of Justinian look like. It appears to me that Sear 140(Constantinople), 291(Rome), 312(Ravenna) and 328D(Sicily) all have the same features. – Any Byzantinist nerd who can tell me how to distinguish them?

David Sear says “spread fabric”-style for Rome and Ravenna solidus, while Sicily solidus has “heavy annular border”.

I have a worn solidus of Justinian which "could" be Rome and Ravenna, but especially also Sicily giving the “heavy annular border”.

I will give a survey, the first solidus is mine, the 3 others are from the internet.

Sear 140(Constantinople)

4,19 gram, 20 mm. (Clipped most likely)

Obverse: Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing holding globus cruciger and shield.

Legends: DN IVSTINIANVS PP AVG

Reverse: Angel standing facing, holding long linear staff surmounted by the sign of staurogram, and globus cruciger, to right beneath: star.

Legends: VICTORIA AVGGG(followed by officina letter, in this case delta “Δ”)

Exergue: CONOB




Sear 291 (Rome)

Description: Same as Sear 140




Sear 312 (Ravenna)

Description: Same as Sear 140




Sear 328D (Sicily)

Description: Same as Sear 140




Officina delta “Δ” has been noted for all the aforementioned Rome, Ravenna and Sicily solidus. So how can I know that my Sear 140(Constantinople) is not a Sear 328D(Sicily)? – Because my Solidus also has “heavy annular border” on the reverse side at the upper part.

They all have the same design. All helmeted and cuirassed bust facing holding globus cruciger and shield. All same angel standing facing, holding long linear staff surmounted by the sign of staurogram, and globus cruciger, and star beneat. Same legends. Same exergue. same officina has been noted.

So how to distinguish?

 

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Cool gold coin!! I can't answer your question but I'll be checking to see who can....

 

I'm certainly no expert but to me the distinguishing factor seems to be style at least based on this handful of examples. The headgear and cuirass of the obverse and the angel(in particular, the wings and face) of the reverse. There are many cases of ancient coins where this is the case, where the description that you might see in a catalog is identical but the style is noticeably different.

 

Well, the Rome coin (Sear 291) has CONOK in the Exergue . so it wouldn't be that one.

 

No. David Sear says it is normally "CONOB", but sometimes also "CONOI", "CONOK" or "COMOK".

 

I have sought in acsearch.info to find three of each of these solidus:

140(Constantinople)







291(Rome)

 

312(Ravenna)









328D(Sicily)

 

In my estimation its very difficult. When they say fabric the only real way to "get" that is to have them in hand. Italian coins just are struck a little different and feel different when holding them.

I am not an expert in these AT ALL, but have held and seen in person some, and that is the best I can describe it. I would have no clue really from pics unless I found a die match.

 

Engraving and flan styles. How they attribute a certain style to a certain mint is way above my pay grade though.