The LRB coinage of Siscia introduces an odd series of symbols in the mintmarks known as SYM 1 to SYM 7. RIC assumed a direct linkage of Symbol to Officina but I htink that this linkage does not hold true and examples are known to exist that break this. I don't have anything quite so interesting here. These symbols occur predominantly in the exe but there are some coins from some issues where the symbol appears in the fields. These are designated as common (even C2) by RIC but I suspect that this is misleading as they appear to be scarcer to get hold of in reality. I have recently managed to obtain 2 such examples. Constans - AE3 Obv:- DN CONSTA-NS PF AVG, rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right, Rev:- FEL TEMP-REPARATIO, emperor in military dress standing left on galley, holding Phoenix on globe and labarum, Victory sitting at the stern, steering the ship Minted in Siscia; (Sym4 | _ //DSIS), A.D. 348-350 Reference:– RIC VIII Siscia 248 corr. (err. in RIC right field instead of left field) (C2) 0 degrees. 2.65 gms. 18.67 mm A quite pleasing example with a dark green-black patina. It does have a minor scuff from the neckto the cheek on the bust but I can forgive it this blemish. Constans - AE3 Obv:- DN CONSTA-NS PF AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right, Rev:- FEL TEMP-REPARATIO, Nimbate Phoenix standing right on ile of rocks Minted in Siscia; (_ | Sym2 //BSIS), A.D. 348-350 Reference:– RIC VIII Siscia 247 (C) 0 degrees. 2.59 gms. 19.28 mm Another quite pleasing example without a great deal of wear. I have doubts about the silvering and suspect it to be relatively modern (19th C?) rather than ancient. Does anyone else have any other examples to share? Martin
neat, what's that symbol in the right field? i don't remember seeing that before? is that weird for these?
Martin => congrats on adding a couple more sweet additions to your collection! Ummm, I have a Constans Phoenix as well ...
Both are very cool! The 2nd one really stands out though, very cool additions!I only have this one, a recent addition. Constans Billon centenionalis 21mm, 4.3g D N CONSTA-NS P F AVG Pearl diademed, draped, cuirassed bust left, globe in right hand./ FEL•TEMP•REPA-RATIO Helmeted soldier, spear in left hand, advancing right, head left; with his right hand he leads a small bare-headed figure from a hut beneath a tree. The spear points upwards and to the right. Exergue: ΔSIS(Symbol 4)M Siscia, officina 4; 348-350 CE Ref: RIC VIII Siscia 218; LRBC 1121 BW Ref: 107 024 079 I wonder what the relation these have to the zigzag on other coins.
The galley has one of these symbol on the left field too. It's symbol 4* from those shown by randygeki above. The symbols are off and not really understood. They more commonly occur in the exe as on my example below:- As the coins grew smaller they seem to run out of space in the exe and large versions of these symbols occur in the fields on a small number of coins such as those above. I thought them interesting enough to warrant sharing.
