Got this awsome AE3 of Constans (though cracked and of center) and some neat countermarks, wanted to share Constans AE 3 CONSTANS P F AVG, laureate & rosette-diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right / GLORIA EXERCITVS, two soldiers holding spears and shields with one standard between them, O on banner. Mintmark: A SIS star Siscia Ae 23 TICA[?] as? Ar 25 AVG TICAE dupondius?
That Constans is really a pleasure to behold. Little crack gives it character. Was it minted in Siscia/modern day Serbia in 4th century?
Yup, in the first workshop. The countermarked ones aren't that bad at all. You'd be hard pressed to find the same stamps on non-ugly coins! I believe they were both applied during the reign of Claudius.
I would not trust the c/m's if found on too nice coins although I suppose fakers could apply them to slugs as well. Am I correct that these marks are more often found on imitative and underweight coins suggesting they were applied to certify the second rate coins as worthy of circulation? Of all c/m coins, my favorite is the Sardes, Lydia, issue of Germanicus and Drusus where the legends were replaced by a doughnut shaped countermark. Mine is a dog but they are not easy to find in my price bracket.
Thanks all I love the faces of the soldiers on the rev. heres a slightly better photo I thought the [TICAE] was Tiberius? I like that one alot Doug.
The modelling on that last photo is really nice. It strikes me as what happens when a nice coin meets a good photographer.
Thanks! x2 I wish I could a shot that shows the faces on the rev. better. I owe much of my improoved technique to the info you put up Doug:hail:
Great coins randy. Love the constans myself. I also agree about the crack. Not all ancients have to be perfect.
thanks I dont mind the crack on it at all either. It was nice to fine a lrb in this condiotion, it make me appreciate them more, and reminds of how hard it must have been to carve the dies.
