CONCORDIA AVGG (397 / 403) - Numismatique

Obverse

Reverse

D N THEODO - SIVS P F AVG

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.

CONCORDI - A AVGG(G/S)

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.

Marks

G / S

CONOB

Numéro :

One coin preserved at the British Museum and illusrated in ''Principal Coins of the Romans, Vol III, The Dominate AD 294 - 498, R.A.G Carson'', page 91, n°1586. Coin visible on their website: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_1955-0706-1. The book noted a weight of 4.36 grams and the website notes a weight of 4.38 grams, I chose to retain this last one. Coin acquired in 1955. Museum number 1955.0706.1.

As reported by the British Museum, this coin underwent a modification on the officina letter S to form a letter G and therefore the legend CONCORDIA AVGGG which appears from 402 to 403. I therefore dated the coin from 397 to 403. This coin also confirms the existence of AYC #7 a, RIC 9, of which we are still looking for a photo of a copy without the modification on the officina. see the AYC #11 e Tr off, RIC -, underwent the same transformation on the officina letter but the officina S was then added afterwards. What gives the legend CONCORDIA AVGG(G/S) S. However as noted by the British Museum the double strike makes it difficult to confirm a re-engraving of the letter S. It seems to me very likely that this is a modification as the shape under the letter G corresponds to a letter S and the double strike is slightly offset from the final strike. Therefore the letter under the letter G should be a letter G, which is not the case.

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.