Combing through a new lot of ancient coins, I came across this interesting FH: AE2 of Constantius II, A.D. 337-361 Thessalonica mint, A.D. 350 (Co-issue with Vetranio) RIC 129 Obv: D N CONSTAN-TIVS P F AVG - "A" behind pearl-diademed bust Rev: FEL TEMP RE-PARATIO - Soldier spearing fallen enemy horseman; horseman sits on ground, facing soldier, raising both hands. TSA in exergue; A in field. I've handled dozens, probably hundreds of FHs in my years as a collector, but I never noticed the horseman sitting on the ground before; usually he's draped over the horse. I've no idea why I've never noticed this variation before--perhaps it's unusual, or perhaps I'm just not very observant. Any other Fel Temp collectors have or seen one like this? I'd originally planned to sell it on eBay, but now I'll probably keep it and add it to my Fel Temp collection. (But first I need to look through my collection and see if I have others that I wasn't aware of. I should really look at my collection more carefully.)
Pretty interesting type. Now I need to comb through all my FTR types that I keep in a mayonnaise jar.
I read TS delta FH2 'sitting' is one of the four major poses and not all that uncommon. The new kid on the block is where the victim is struggling to get back on his feet from the seated position and has space under him rather than being seated on the ground. The whole concept of FH numbered poses is artificial created by numismatists who can't agree on the number (3, 4, more?) and exactly where to draw a line between FH1 and FH4 among finer points. We will have to wait for a really comprehensive rethinking of the whole matter to be published by someone who devotes decades to looking at tens of thousands coins. Then we will know more than we do now and less than our great grandchildren will. What is this? FH2.5 struggling? FH2.6??? This is kneeling and a bit more raised than the one above. FH2.7???? This coin bothers me. There is a leg under the horse's head that is shaped more like a horse leg but turned like it belongs to the man. I'd like to talk to the cutter and ask what he was trying to show here. Because of the Christmas balls on the horse's rump and Santa hat on the victim, I have always had a special fondness for this one.
Very nice. Looks like a die match for the one Victor posted Not uncommon to find die match of earlier issues from thessalonica, but still need to find them.
Yes, it is a delta. I was focused on the A's on both sides of the coin and thought I'd stick in an extra one in the mint mark.
It's a double die match. Is this just an extremely rare coincidence, does it mean the variety is rare (and made from a low number of dies) and both collectors noticed this and bought one, or is there some other explanation? Here's an outline of @Victor_Clark's coin overlaid on @gsimonel's coin.
Amazing. Victor's coin has a notch at around 8:00 on the obverse; otherwise, I'd swear it was the some coin. Thanks, TIF. Nice work! You have a great eye.
I think Thessalonica, at least with early issues) just exhausted the dies. I see quite a few matches when I search for them, and can see the die wear on some.
