Unusual bust types

One thing to like about later Roman coins is the variety of bust types not found on issues of the first and second centuries. The second coin below has a very unusual bust type.

Many bust types can be found on coins of Constantine and his sons. One that stands out is common on coins of Constantine II:


19-18 mm. 2.05 grams.
RIC VII Ticinum 121 "319-320"
Overall, a bust left holding Victory on a globe is uncommon, but for Constantine II (and only Constantine II) it is common. This particular example is special for having the "Iota chi" symbol to the left of the banner with "VOT/XX" on it. That symbol, with its bump at the top, has been sometimes thought to be a "chi-rho" for Christ, but in spite of older articles with line-drawings of it clearly showing a chi-rho with the P having an open loop like it should at the top, those are just line-drawings, not photographs, and it does not really seem to exist as a chi-rho--this is as close as it gets. (If you have an example that really shows a rho, we would like to see it.) So I call it an "Iota-Chi" (I X, superimposed), which might, just might, have a connection to Christ.

But I digress. The point of this post is the next coin obtained last month:



Again, it is Constantine II. Again the bust is left. Again, he is holding a globe, but this time without Victory on it. Globes without Victory turn out to be very rare. RIC VII Lugdunum (Lyons) has this type as #196, "r4", with only two other globe-only varieties at Lugdunum, both for Constantine II and both "r5" (only 1 of each known that the time). A search on vcoins under "Constantine II globe" brings up 157 items (not all Constantine II), none of which have this bust.

20-18 mm. 2.49 grams.
BEATA TRANQVILLITAS around altar with globe on VO/TIS/XX on it, C to left, R to right, PLG in exergue.

Show us an unusual bust type.

 

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Probus is renowned for hois bust varieties. I no longer own this one. It is by far the most expensive Probus I have ever or will ever own.

Probus
Obv:– IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust left in elaborate cuirass decorated with Medusa medallion & holding Vitoriola (Victory on globe, facing left, holding wreath) in right hand, palm up
Rev:– VIRTVS AVG, Soldier standing left, holding Victory and spear and leaning on shield
Minted in Ticinum(QXXT) Emission 2 Officina 4. A.D. 276
Reference:– Cohen unlisted. RIC 435 var. (This bust type not listed in RIC or Cohen)
Only known from two other coins: a die match is illustrated in Bastien's Buste Monetaire... pl. 126 number 11 , and a different die with different obverse legend in the Philippe Gysen collection

 

CONSTANTIUS GALLUSCentenionalis
OBVERSE: D N FL CL CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES, Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right
REVERSE: FEL TEMP REPARATIO, Helmeted soldier to left, shield on left arm, spearing fallen horseman; shield on ground at right. Horseman turns to face soldier and raises right arm, dot SMKA in ex.
Struck at Cyzicus 351-354 AD
5.40 g, 23.9 mm
RIC-VIII, 97

CONSTANTINE I
AE2 Follis
OBVERSE: CONSTANTINVS P F AVG, laureate head right
REVERSE: IOVI CONSERVATORI, Jupiter standing left, holding globe & sceptre, wreath left, E right, dot SM dot TS dot in ex.
Struck at Thessalonica 312-313 AD
5.5g, 26mm
RIC VI 50b

CONSTANTINE II
AE Follis
OBVERSE: D N FL CL CONSTANTINVS NOB C, laureate cuirassed bust right
REVERSE: IOVI CONSERVATORI, Jupiter standing left with Victory on globe & eagle-tipped sceptre, eagle & captive at feet, X over II Μ right, SMHA in ex.
Struck at Heraclea 330-335 AD
3.24g, 20mm
RIC VII 55

 

Maxiamanus herculus

 

This coin of Valens shows clearly that the symbol Chi-Rho has a Rho (P) and not an Iota ( I ). Am I right ?

 

Of course you are right. That chi-rho symbol on your coin of Valens is clear. The question was if the OP type of Constantine II ever comes with a chi-rho. Many later emperors do, but it is not clear that Constantine II does on this type.

 

I see .. I'll try to check if I have any relevant coin of that sort ( Const II ) .

 

I think both examples of Licinius II qualify:

 

Do these Constantine's count?

 

What is unusual about the busts?

 

Not much on the Rome mint(double chin?) but the Antioch one looks like a zombie.

 

I chose these 2 busts of Honorius and Constantius II that, I believe, are unusual.

 

Here is a bust type which is very unusual on coins of Claudius II (268-270):

Helmeted bust left, with spear and shield.
19-18 mm. 2.78 grams.
IMP CLAVDIVS AVG
VIRTVS AVG, Virtus standing resting right on shield and holding vertical spear
MER-RIC V.I temp 723 (site home: http://www.ric.mom.fr/en/home )
Search page:
http://www.ric.mom.fr/en/search/adv...on=&Note=&Reference=&page=1&mod=result&hpp=20

None with the helmeted head on vcoins among 797 hits on a search for "Claudius II"
None in The Cunetio Treasure among 2114 coins of Claudius II.

Helmets are very common on coins of Probus, only a few years later, but not under Claudius II.

 

Constantine I
Thessalonica mint
319 AD
AE Follis
Obvs: CONSTANTINVS AVG, Bust left cuir. spear across right shoulder.
Revs: VICTORIA AVGG NN, Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm branch. TSΔ
18mm, 2.6g

 

I have two busts of Julian II that appear to have the same characteristics (i.e.facial features - individually) but look like two different people..

Julian II 360-63 AD Double Maiorina RIC VIII Antioch 216
JULIAN II RIC VIII Siscia 421var.

 

One of the best Julian II Nulls I've seen!

 

@Bing
Thank-you for your kinfd comment, Bing, but you might have to educate a student on the term "Julian II Nulls", please?

 

Old and big fingers. That was suppose to read "Bulls"

 

I'll start with some Constantines and then move on to a couple of other emperors.

Helmeted. Generally unusual, but common for this reverse type:


High crested helmet:


Helmeted, facing left (my avatar):


High-crested helmet, left:


Bare headed:


Radiate bust:


This one is described as "draped bust, left, holding globe, scepter and mappa," To me, it looks like he's holding an olive branch and a scepter. Perhaps the dot just above 6:00 is a globe?:


Most of the above are unusual, but common for those particular reverse types.
Here's my favorite Constantine bust - laurate, cuirassed bust, right, wearing Spock ears:


and a close up of the Spock ears:


Here's a couple of other favorites:
Arcadius, with halo:


Claudius II ("Gothicus"), radiate bust, facing left:


Gallienus, radiate bust, left, with shield:


Lastly, Theodosius II, 3/4 facing helmeted bust with shield, common on solidi, but less so on bronze: