JA's LRB's

I've mentioned before that I'm collecting a mint set of Constans GLORIA EXERCITVS types with two standards. These are some of the scarcest two-standards types because by the time these coins were being minted for Constans, it wasn't long (a few months) before a monetary reform altered the type to the smaller one-standard issues.

Most recently, I've added three mints to my set: the very elusive Cyzicus (the only one I've seen in a year of hunting), Constantinopolis, and Antioch. The Cyzicus coin is in hand (my pic), the other two are on the way (dealers' pics).



I now have nine mints. I'm not certain how many mints were producing these coins. I need to comb through RIC and figure that out, in addition to cataloging the varieties. As soon as I have the new coins in hand, I'm going to re-image all of them and report back. I'm sure you're all going to be waiting with baited breath!

 

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How many mints in the set?

 

That's what I have to figure out - I've just been too lazy to go through RIC mint-by-mint. But I can't avoid it any longer.

 

Good luck JA, it'll be worth it later.

 

I picked up this well-struck Constantine LAETAE PRINC type today. It was remarkably cheap for such a strong reverse. Any coin on which you can see this much detail on two Victories is worth owning. Seller's pic...



According to Bruck there are at least 26 altar varieties on these types.



1 down, 25 to go.

 

you're almost there, buddy (just around the corner and over that hill)

 

I just won this coin. 2 down, 24 to go.

 

That one looks great!

 

I prefer this sort of pic from a dealer - a bit angled so you can see what's going on with the surfaces and strike. The actual color of the coin is secondary to me.

 

Wow, that looks like a great little LRB score!

 

I like the pictures that way too.

 

wow, that coin looks great!

 

Thanks all. Yeah, this pig occasionally finds a truffle.

 

Curious? => is that one of Batman's? (I don't recognize it)

 

No, British dealer, I've bought from him before, tends to feature higher-grade coins.

 

Outstanding JA.

 

Nice constantine, JA.

 

I love the detail on these. Great coin!

 

Here is one new coin, one old, Concordia types of Valentinian II and Theodosius I. These were struck at the same time, AD 378-383, and share the same RIC number, IX Siscia 27, (b) and (d). The Valentinian II comes from a friend on this forum, and I found it highly curious and improbable that it should share the same mint mark as my Theodosius II Concordia: BSISC.

They were also struck for Gratian, so now the hunt is on to find a BSISC Concordia of his. Why? Just to see if it can be done of course.

Notice one interesting feature: Val's obverse inscription is unbroken, while Theo's is separated at his name. Also, DN VALENTINIANVS PF AVG was a legend used by Valentinian I, but the Concordia type was not issued by the father. There is also a rare variant of this type that uses the obverse legend DN VALENTINIANVS IVN PF AVG.

 

I spent a few hours with my two coins of Julian II, one as Caesar, one as Augustus - new pics and double-checking dimensions and attributions.

The more I read about Julian, the more I like him. I recommend the Mispogon, or "beard-hater," a quick and entertaining read. Evidently the citizens of Antioch complained about his scruffy and unkempt appearance. He takes their insults, turns them upon himself with no small amount of hyperbole, and ends up calling them a bunch of dandies and sissies. Here's a funny little tidbit...

Now as for praising myself, though I should be very glad to do so, I have no reason for that; but for criticising myself I have countless reasons, and first I will begin with my face. For though nature did not make this any too handsome or well-favoured or give it the bloom of youth, I myself out of sheer perversity and ill-temper have added to it this long beard of mine, to punish it, as it would seem, for this very crime of not being handsome by nature. For the same reason I put up with the lice that scamper about in it as though it were a thicket for wild beasts. As for eating greedily or drinking with my mouth wide open, it is not in my power; for I must take care, I suppose, or before I know it I shall eat up some of my own hairs along with my crumbs of bread. In the matter of being kissed and kissing I suffer no inconvenience whatever. And yet for this as for other purposes a beard is evidently troublesome, since it does not allow me to press shaven "lips to other lips more sweetly" -- because they are smooth, I suppose -- as has been said already by one of those who with the aid of Pan and Calliope composed poems in honour of Daphnis. But you say that I ought to twist ropes from it. Well I am willing to provide you with ropes if only you have the strength to pull them and their roughness does not do dreadful damage to your "unworn and tender hands." And let no one suppose that I am offended by your satire. For I myself furnish you with an excuse for it by wearing my chin as goats do, when I might, I suppose, make it smooth and bare as handsome youths wear theirs, and all women, who are endowed by nature with loveliness. But you, since even in your old age you emulate your own sons and daughters by your soft and delicate way of living, or perhaps by your effeminate dispositions, carefully make your chins smooth, and your manhood you barely reveal and slightly indicate by your foreheads, not by your jaws as I do.



1. Julian II Caesar, 355-360 AE3, 19mm, 3.1g, 9h; Aquileia mint, AD 355-361.
Obv.: DN IVLIANVS NOB C; Draped and cuirassed bust right, M behind.
Rev.: FEL TEMP REPARATIO; Helmeted soldier on left, shield on left arm, spearing falling horseman; shield on ground at right. Horseman turns to face soldier and raises left arm; he is bare-headed // dot AQT palm
Reference: RIC VIII Aquileia 225 (p.336).

2. Julian II Augustus, 360-363 AE3, 21mm, 2.6g, 12h; Heraclea mint: 361-363
Obv.: D N FL CL IVLIANVS P F AVG; helmeted, cuirassed bust left holding spear and shield.
Rev.: VOT / X / MVLT / XX - Legend within wreath // HERACLA
Reference: RIC VIII Heraclea 105 (p. 438)