CONCORDIA AVGG (397 / 402)

Bust of Theodosius II facing, cuirassed, wearing a helmet with crest and a pearl diadem. Holding a spear passing behind his head with the right hand and a decorated shield with a horseman slaying an enemy, with the left hand.

Constantinopolis seated on a throne with her head to the right, holding a scepter with her right hand and a globe surmounted by a victory with her left hand. Her right foot placed on a prow.

Photo of a coin sold the 19/05/2021 by Heritage Auctions, Auction 232120, lot 63268, link to the sale and their website: https://coins.ha.com/itm/roman-imperial/ancient-coins/ancients-theodosius-ii-eastern-roman-empire-ad-402-450-av-solidus-20mm-445-gm-6h-ngc-au-4-5-3-5/a/232120-63268.s?ic4=GalleryView-Thumbnail-071515. One coin sharing the same reverse die has been sold the 01/08/2019 by Roma Numismatics Limited, E-Sale 60, lot 1117, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=6168617.

This coin shares the same obverse die as the coin illustrating the AYC #7 b, RIC 9, coin sold the 25/06/2014 by Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 329, lot 578, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3308829.

I observe that the officina letter has an unusual form suggesting a modification. Is it of the modification of officina letter to create a letter G and thus join the series going from 402 to 403? Modification similar to the one on the AYC #7 a Tr off, RIC 9. Or was the letter G modified into a officina letter? This last case appears strange because it would have created a link with a series appearing earlier than that of the original die. Or should we reconsider the dates of issue?

This series is characterized by a small bust. As for Zeno, we notice a finer portrait of the first years (397 / 402), while the portraits of the following series will become wider and Theodosius II will look more to the right even if mixtures exist from 402. This officina was not referenced by the RIC X.