Hi. The reverse of this Roman tiny coin shows a spectacular nice bird. I was told it could be the legendary bird which rises from ashes to survive again : Phoenix.. related probably to the ancient Phoenician people who invented the Alphabet. Could you please assist me to find out and detect the lettering on the reverse? Thanks .. Charles
Yes, it's a phoenix. It's a coin of Constantius II, and the lettering on the reverse is FEL TEMP REPARATIO, the same legend found on the falling horseman types, and several others.
Yes, like John said, its a form of Fel Temp Reparatio coins. There are five types. Loosely translated, it means "happy times are here again". It was trying to brag how the current emperors had restored the empire and everything was safe and going well. Doug Smith has a great writeup on them at his website: http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/ftr.html
It is a very nice coin with a wonderful "Antioch" patina. I sometimes call it "black-and-tan." The mintmark is ANA with a star in the right field, which makes it RIC VIII Antioch 129 for Constantius II, on page 522, dated AD 348-350.
