I went to an auction yesterday and picked this bronze up, along with another for 5 bucks. I've looked on line and having difficulty finding information, so experts in the field, I need you help. I've weighed it and comes to 2 grams. The pictures below show size comparison to a Lincoln penny and next to a measure. I've gotten as close as I can so the markings can be shown to the best of my ability and also the picture of the two centurion's on the reverse. Is this a Constantine ? A date to use as reference ? I just don't know, so HELP with ideas here or a good book to purchase. Thanks.
Here are 2 great starter resources that helped me a lot with Late Roman Bronzes: https://www.tesorillo.com/aes/home.htm http://www.wildwinds.com/ Look forward to seeing what you identify it as
It’s actually one of Constantine’s sons. It is Constantius II. The obverse legend reads FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C. The reverse legend reads GLORIA EXERCITVS. It was minted in Constantinople. I’m on my phone so can’t provide an ID right now... but that should be enough information for some googlein’ And I’m sure someone will be along shortly with a reference and date (somewhere in the early 330s AD.)
Welcome Bear. Check out this thread for beginners. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancient-coins-beginners’-faq-thread.324858/#post-3206438
Is this an excuse for me to post my GLORIA EXERCITVS coins? I think so! Constantine I, AD 306-337 Æ Follis, 18mm, 2.3g, 6h; ; Trier mint, AD 332-333. Obv.: CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG; rosette-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right. Rev.: GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS; two soldiers holding spears and shields with two standards between them with thin pointed banners In Ex.: TR•S Constantius II AE, 2.76g, 17mm; 6h; Alexandria Obv.: FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C; laureate cuirassed bust right Rev.: GLOR-IAEXERC-ITVS; two soldiers standing between two banners with dots, holding shield and spear In Ex.: SMALB Constantine I AE, follis, 3.2g, 16.5mm; 6h; Trier, AD 330-335 Obv.: CONSTANTI-NVS MAX AVG; diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev.: GLOR-IAEXERC-[ITVS]; two soldiers standing facing each other, each holding spear and resting hand on shield, palm branch between two standards, Os on standards In Ex.: TRS Delmatius, AD 335-337 AE, AE4, 16mm, 1.78g; 5h; Heraclea Obv.: FL DELMATIVS NOB CAES; laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right Rev.: GLOR-IAEXERC-ITVS; two soldiers holding spears and shields with one standard between them with dot on banner In Ex.: SMHΓ Constantine II, AD 317-340 AE, follis, 15.5mm, 2.65g; 6h; Lugdunum Obv.: CONSTANTINVS I[V]N NOB C; laureate, cuirassed bust right Rev.: GLOR-AI EXERC-ITVS; two soldiers hoding spears and shields with two standards between them; standards with Os on banner In Ex.: SLC Constantius II, AD 337-361 AE Reduced Follis, 15mm, 1.6g, 12h; Alexandria mint, AD 340-341. Obv.: CONSTANT-IVS AVG, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right Rev.: GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS, two soldiers holding spears and shields with one standard between them. Dot on banner // SMALA Constantius II, AD 337-361 AE, follis, 15mm, 1.4g; 7h; Constantinople Obv.: xx xxx [FL IVL] CONSTANTIVS NOB C; laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right Rev.: GLORI-IAEXERC-ITVS; two soldiers holding spears and shields with one standard between them, O on banner In Ex.: CONSΓ Constans, AD 337-350 AE, follis, 16mm, 1.5g; 12h; Siscia, AD 337-341 Obv.: CONSTAN-S PF AVG; rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev.: GLOR-IAEXERC-ITVS; two soldiers with spears and shields, facing one standard, chi-rho on banner In Ex.: BSIS Constantine I, AD 306 - 337 AE, 1.3g, 16mm; 5h; Nicomedia, AD 336-337 Obv.: CONSTANTI-NVS MAX AVG; diademed draped and cuirassed bust right Rev.: GLOR-IAEXERC-ITVS; two soldiers standing front, heads turned inward facing one standard between them each holding spear and shield In Ex.: SMNΔ Constantine, AD 337-340 AE, follis, 18.5mm, 2.8g; 12h; Thessalonica, AD 330-333 Obv.: CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C; laureate curiassed bust right Rev.: GLORI-AEXER-CITVS; two soldiers standing front, heads turned inward, two standards between, each holding spear and shield In Ex.: SMTSB
Great pieces in remarkable condition. Here is the reverse bottom, the markings are nothing like the ones you have shown us here.
Welcome to ancients, @bear32211! The markings at the bottom (in "exergue") of this type of coin denote the mint location and sometimes other information (officina-- the exact branch of that mint which produced the coin). I can make out CON something, possibly CONSA, although the last letter purely a guess. "CONS" is Constantinople in this case, and the fifth letter will be the officina. Actually, only the CO are relatively clear but once you gain some familiarity with ancient Roman coins, and once you know where to find lists of information such as mint abbreviations, it is easier. In this case I went to this website, scrolled to the "Soldiers and Standards" link, and downloaded the mind-bogglingly detailed spreadsheet.
Great coins! My few aren't as nice as yours but I did get this one from an uncleaned lot. I love the dark green patina. The detail is still quite nice too. Constantine II AE follis 334-5 AD CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C, laureate, cuirassed bust right GLORIA EXERCITVS, two soldiers holding spears and shields on either side of two standards. Mintmark Epsilon SIS
What has been interesting in beginning my research of the Constantine II piece is that all centurions on the reverse. Their arms square up to the pole standards they hold in their left and right hands. These are different. With the picture I have below, you can see their arms angle upward and are not bent like other pictures I am seeing. Mean anything to any one of you ?
Been going through tons of pictures furryfrog02. Have not found anything to match yet but still at it. Great information in my learning curve. Just another obverse shot.
Start at Constantinople and search for GLORIA EXERCITVS. Yours looks to be broken down like this "GLOR-IA EXCER-ITVS". http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/constantius_II/i.html
This thread shows the huge array of minor differences in ancient coins. In addition to all the different mints, each die was hand cut by one of a staff of die cutters making dozens to hundreds of dies. finding a perfect match is very unlikely an could require thousands of coins.
I must agree with what I have been looking at in obverse and reverse pictures, just odd that the centurions on the reverse of this piece have their arms extended straight and not at a 90 degree angle when holding their spears.
In agreement when looking at reverse types, Type 29, has the pictures to match with. CONSTANTINVS II IVNIOR GLORIA EXERCITVS A.D. 330-336.