These four Coins of the FEL TEMP REPARATIO series came from the Baltimore show last weekend. All are welcome in my collection but one was something I had been wanting. Randy knows; anyone else want to guess why? They ranged from $12 to $25 and the $25 one was the least interesting of the group. Remember condition is usually more a factor of price than rarity.
Because one of them is a minute variety that only an insane collector would want? Normally, I don't care enough to figure it out. But I felt bad that I never comment on your threads. Now I will patiently await the answer.
Nothing minor. The lower left coin has the horse's leg over his head which sure looks like a minor thing but it is standard for that mint at that period so nothing special. I realize that many people would want one or fewer FTR coins but I only have about 1% of the possibilities so I'm not even close to being into the minute varieties - yet.
Well, I would assume the top left one, from Lugdunum, is the best coin. In addition to being the more finely engraved of your four specimens, I think it's also the rarest. EDIT: I would place the Gallus in the bottom right hand corner in second place.
Can't see the forest for the trees. Agree Randy? The Upper Left is special to me because it is Lyon and I did not have a Lyon boat even one this flatly struck. It is very little worn but a really weak strike. It is still not the best item to me although RIC might agree. The Gallus makes me wonder if it is official or not but Rome always played by their own rules so maybe it is. While somewhat smaller in diameter, it weighs 4.73g and more than two of the others (the Lyon is 4.88g). Clue: http://www.catbikes.ch/helvetica/feltemps.htm box 3 It is nearing bedtime for old guys on the East Coast. Feel free to answer or post your coin when you wish, Randy.
I was wondering about if the Gallus was official or not. What about the top right? Its nice but is there something I didnt notice? As for the special one, its not Constantius II, Gallus, or Julian II. :yes: It seemingly more rare than RIC indicates.
Constans FH also seem less common from the Siscia, than Thessalonica which is hard to find. I've only seen 2 for sale (one mine), and just a couple more in others collections.
I have had this one since I was a kid in the 1960's, but only identified it around 10 years ago. Constantius II - AE - Fel Temp Aquileia Diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right D N CONSTAN-TIVS P F AVG Soldier spearing falling enemy horseman FEL TEMP REPARATIO AQP in exergue Struck: AD 352-355, Aquileia Mint Size: 16mm Weight: 1.68gm Catalog: RIC Aquileia 199
My clue regarding 'box 3' is where Dane of Wildwinds posted her plea to sell her or report to her any eBay lot offering a Constans FH. She has one much nicer than either Randy's or mine and we have seen a few others but, being liberal with the count, I have seen a couple dozen Constans and a couple thousand Constantius. Dane also wants a Magnentius FH and I would feel very bad not giving her one if I found it. For the most part in the early years while Constans was alive, the two brothers used different types for their FEL TEMP coins. Constans died and his types stopped being issued. Constantius lived and put out millions upon millions more FH coins making it one of the most common coins in the Roman series. I now have two Constans and hope none of you care enough to bid against me on the next ones I see. I also bought the Galley coin which is equally the reverse situation (Constantius using a Constans type) but for some reason it did not thrill me as much. I don't even have a Lyon Constans galley but I have never been as attracted to the other FEL TEMP types as I have the FH series so perhaps that is why it means less to me. I am a collector and, as such, odd.
Ah, so that's what makes it special. I did notice that it was Constans, I just didn't care! Haha. Now that you point it out, I suppose i have handled only a few a fallen horseman types for Constans. This is why YOU collect the series, and not I! I'll be sure to keep my eye out for you, though.
