To me, these "two victory" reverse types are among the least interesting LRBs, and this particular coin is no beauty--at least not the obverse. But in re-cataloging this coin, I noticed the monogram between the victories. Apparently it's an HR monogram. Does anyone know what it's for? I read that the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius would use that monogram, but he's yet to be born. It can't stand for the mint Heraclea since this coin was struck in Siscia. Any idea what that HR monogram signified?
That’s helpful @Roman Collector . It seems an oddly specific control mark. I don’t have RIC to hand. If that mark is only used at Siscia, then perhaps there’s a greater argument for Victor’s suggestion that it could be related to a mint supervisor there.
A quick skim of various coins on VCoins shows a lot of interesting control marks--letters, leaves, etc. HR recurs only at Siscia. (Arles, for example, uses an N.) HR is used on the Two Victories reverse for Constantius II too. Again, a monogram seems an odd control mark to me. I'd like to think it is indeed a reference to a person. Harold Ramis? Hillary Rodham? The mystery continues...
What a coincidence. Just last night I was going through my first lot of uncleaned coins and this was the first decent piece I found. On Wildwinds I found it as Siscia RIC VIII 192.
