I know it’s rather late, but here is my first purchases of 2018. A nice Arcadius and a interesting type of Theodosius II. AE4 (14 mm,0.94 g) Arcadius (383-405(with Theodosius I, 383-388)). Obv. Pearl diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust facing right, DN ARCADIVS PF AVG around. Rev. VOT V in laurel wreath, SMHA below. Heraclea mint, second oficina. Very happy with its condition! AE3, (15 mm, 2.18 g) Theodosius II (402-450 (with Arcadius (401-403)). Obv. Three-quarters facing military bust, holding spear and shield with cross, [DN] THEODOSIVS PF AVG around. Rev. Constantinopolis seated, holding staff and Victory on globe crowning Constantinopolis with wreath. CONCORDIA AVG around, SMKA below. Kyzikus mint, first oficina. Slight chipping on the obverse, but overall I am quite happy with the piece. I like the three-quarters facing bust, but it is only common on the gold coins, and needless to say I can’t afford gold. There are only three rulers’ coins in bronze with the facing bust (one for Honorius, Arcadius, and Theodosius II respectively) with the same four mints for each (Constantinople, Nikomedia, Kyzikus, and Antioch). I regard the Eastern Roman Empire with starting with the division of the Roman Empire in 395, so the Thedosian dynasty in the East is complete for me. My goal is to get one ruler from each dynasty. If you have any similar coins to post from the period, please do!
Theodosius II, Eastern Roman Empire AV solidus Obv: D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, diademed, helmeted, cuirassed bust facing, holding spear and shield Rev: IMP XXXX II COS XVII P P, Constantinopolis seated left, with foot on prow, holding cross on globe and sceptre, star in left field Mint: Constantinople Mintmark: CONOB Date: 442 AD Ref: RIC X 286
Lovely Arcadius. These bifocal-defying little coins aren't usually so well struck or well-preserved. Here, for example, is my nicest Arcadius AE-4: Arcadius, AD 383-408 Roman Æ half-centenionalis; 1.15 g, 14.2 mm Cyzicus, AD 388-392 Obv: D N ARCADIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust, right Rev: SALVS REIPVBLICAE, Victory advancing left, with right hand carrying trophy over shoulder and dragging captive with left; ⳨ in left field, SMKΓ in exergue Refs: RIC 26(c); LRBC 2578; RCV 20851.
@ValiantKnight I didn’t realize that it was possible to date some late Roman coins by year. Very interesting! I suppose the Imperator numbers helped though. I also didn’t know that they still listed the consulship on their coins. @Gavin Richardson @Roman Collector @randygeki Thank you! The coins are all very interesting as well.
