So I picked up this URBS ROMA FELIX from eBay for $3.98 shipped. It's a scarce issue, struck for Arcadius, Honorius, and Theodosius II from 404-408 A.D. I was impressed with the sharp reverse--pretty rare for this little coin. Sadly, though, I can't tell if the obverse is for Arcadius or Honorius. The obverse legend breaks the same to terminate in-IVS PF AVG. I don't think Theodosius is a possibility. His legend terminates -SIVS PF AVG @Valentinian has a great site about these. http://augustuscoins.com/ed/ricix/type49.html Is there any hope of determining which ruler this is?
To me it looks like the last visible letter in the legend prior to -IVS is a "D" If it was an "R" then the previous letter would be an "O" and it does not appear to be an "O" So I would guess Arcadius. Also, I have seen more Arcadius coins with a desert patina than I have of Honorius, and I've handled quite a few of these in the uncleaned state.
I might be imagining things but the next to last letter on the left has a pointy top so I would guess (no more) it is an A rather than an O. That means I agree with ancient coin hunter even though I don't see the D vs. R clearly.
That’s very helpful fellas. Thanks. I’m going to go out on a limb to call it Arcadius, with an added note in my cataloguing system indicating that this is a strongly probable identification, but not conclusive.
I love these and was planning a post on them sometime soonish. I agree with the others on the probable Arcadius attribution. I'd also note that the second officina is a rare one. With the lovely reverse on that coin that really was daylight robbery! I have one where the emperor is, I think, truly indeterminate. If anyone can show me otherwise I'd be pretty pleased, but I think it would probably take a die match.
