Interesting thin and unassuming Constantius I

At first glance, one wouldn't think much of this coin. The green deposits, the thin and wide flan, the obvious strike flatness in certain areas...


CONSTANTIUS I AE22mm 2.72g Antoninian/Aurelian (VF, silvering, deposits)

AV: CONSTANTIVS NOB C; radiate draped bust right

REV: ORIENS AVGG; Sol standing facing, head left, holding whip in left hand and raising right

EXE: B

REF: RIC V-2 631, Bastien 187 (Dr. Pierre BASTIEN - The coinage issued by the Lyons mint in 293 and 294AD) Lugdunum mint, Scarce, 294AD.

So what really makes it interesting?

Well, for starters, Antoninianii/Aureliani of Constantius are scarce, since the coinage was reformed almost immediately after Constantius was appointed as Caesar. These were minted in Lugdunum in early 294 before the monetary reform of Diocletian that would make the Antoniniani/Aureliani obsolete and introduce the new Folli/Nummi denomination.
Then - and this is a rather personal opinion - western coins with ORIENS AVG reverse are particularly appealing as they invoke a sense of "unity in diversity" which was probably exactly the message that the Tetrarchy was trying to convene.

 

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Nice coin! I find this an interesting series as well and recently picked up the Galerius version.



It looks like our coins may have the same photographer .

 

I missed that one. Definitely the same dealer. Better than my Constantius.
Weight and diameter if possible?

 

We need a fingerprint expert!

I like the OP coin including the green mineral deposits. Both coins have great detail.

 

Sorry, it's 3.6g and 23.4mm.

Here's another Galerius ant from Lugdunum. RIC lists this reverse type for Constantius I, but not for Galerius, though it is in Bastien and Cohen.


GALERIUS
Antoninianus
3.7g, 25.3mm
Lugdunum mint, 293 AD
Bastien VII pg 221, #579 (2 examples: Paris #13974, Vienna #24753); Cohen 210
O: GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS NOB C, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
R: VIRTVS AVGG, Hercules standing right with club and bow.

 

Aurelian examples of Oriens reverse

 

Nice finds, Seth & Zumbly. Don't see those too much myself.

 

Great Constantius-I addition, seth (congrats)

I only have one example of this dude, but it is one of my favourite coins ...

 

Here are another couple of reverse types for Chlorus at Lugdunum.

 

What I like about this forum is that I can count on seeing beautiful coins on practically any topic I start or happen to browse.
Thanks all