Dear all, I mostly collect late roman bronze coins but on the occasion I happily pick up a tetradrachm from Alexandria. Of course, not hampered by any knowledge... Now I have two coins in my collection which I think are the same... However, the coins are slightly different (placement of letters L - Γ in the fields) and the auction attributions seem to indicate different coins. What I do not understand is that both coins seem to be on the the same plate in Dattari-Savio however there is an enormous difference in coin number (10767 vs. 6074). Furthermore, I do not understand year 3 vs. year 10 I can somebody help me? I do not have references... Thank you very much! and please forgive me my ignorance... First coin: Dattari-Savio Pl. 289, 10767 (this coin) 5.37 gr 17.8 mm Alexandria Circa 294-295 (year 3) Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. Nike advancing r., holding wreath and palm-branch over l. shoulder; In field L - Γ From the Dattari Collection Second coin: Dattari-Savio Pl. 289, 6074 6.28 gr 19.6 mm Alexandria Circa 294-295 (year 10) Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. Nike advancing r., holding wreath and palm; In field L - Γ
I think "year 10" must be a misunderstanding. Neither coin has any reference to "year 10." Both reference "year 3."
Nice coins! I love Alexandrian coins and have many but no Constantius coins yet so I'm jealous! Anyway, a few more references for you that gave me a chance to use my loved but often unused books. Milne - According to Milne there are two variations between the coins, the obverse legend and the bust style (which looks to mostly match your coins, except for the addition to a legend ending "K" noted below but not included in the text). Top coin Milne 5184 - with legend A2 (ΦΛΑ ΚⲰΝCΤΑΝΤΙΟC (the text leaving out the legend ending "K" that looks to be on your coin)) with bust K7 (Bust r., laureate, wearing cuirass) - No mention of the upside down "L". Bottom coin Milne 5183 - with legend A1 (ΦΛΑ ΚⲰCΤΑΝΤΙΟC K) with bust K (Bust r., laureate, wearing cloak and cuirass) Emmett - Both 4194(3) Rarity rating 1 - Common Top coin with legend B - ΦΛΑ ΚⲰΝCΤΑΝΤΙΟC K Bottom coin with legend A - ΦΛΑ ΚⲰCΤΑΝΤΙΟC K Curtis - Only references a match to Milne's 5184 coin (your top coin) as Curtis 2123, with a side reference to BMC 2610v Legend B - ΦΛΑ ΚⲰΝCΤΑΝΤΙΟC K Since a variation, I suppose your bottom coin could just be referenced as Curtis 2123v
Dattari 1-6580 are the coins in his collection that he published in his book of 1901. Numbers above 6580 are later additions to his collection. His plates of rubbings integrate the new coins with the old ones, so that the reader will not always have to look in two places to see what coins of a particular emperor, type, and date were in the collection. For example Dattari's coins of Plautilla are all illustrated on pl. 222 of the rubbings, nos. 4077, 4078, and 4078 bis from his old collection, and nos. 9784-9788 from his new acquisitions.
