IMP XXXXII COS XVII P P (type I, A) (441 / 450)

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.

Constantinople seated left on a throne, holding a spear with the left hand and a globe surmounted by a cross with the right hand. A shield behind the throne and a star in the field to the left.

Photo of a coin sold on 08 December 2014 by Classical Numismtic Group, Electronic Auction 103, lot 214, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=202848, link to their website: https://www.cngcoins.com/.

Mark CONOB.

Variant with IMP or INP (difficult to confirm, more likely IMP, we seem to distinguish a second bar glued to the leg) on the reverse and the beginning of engraving under the letter A of AVG. This coin is interesting because it shows several things. It seems, in my opinion, that this is the beginning of the engraving of a spear point. If it was a broken die, this drawing would not be as clean and with sharp edges. What is more interesting is to see that this obverse die is associated with three different reverse dies, probably all from the same engraver and with the same INP error. We can also see a ball above the letter F which is probably a die break unless it is the beginning of the helmet engraving. The copy sold on 10 March 2008 by Friz Rudolf Künker, Auction 136, lot 1329, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=441384, shows the same style of letter C more square for the mark CONOB and same overall style. Coin resold on 28 April 2025 by Dr Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 442, lot 582, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=14453020. the other copy sold on 10 May 2004 by Leu Numismatik, Auction 91, lot 759, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=169859, has a different reverse die from the other two copies. We therefore have three reverse dies with the same error and probably from the same engraver. Which shows the mixtures, difficulties and evidence of inexperience present in this mint which I estimate is probably already relocated or emptied of part of its workforce sent to a comitatus mint and replaced by barbarian engravers. The coin classified AYC #21 var, RIC 323 probably has a reverse die from the same engraver.

See the AYC #27, RIC - : https://www.all-your-coins.com/en/archives-anciennes/romaines-imperiales/imp-xxxxii-cos-xvii-p-p-type-i-ii-a-441450, with a coin sharing the same obverse die but associated with a type II reverse and having an obverse die mor used. See also this coin where it appears to be a die break at the same level: https://www.all-your-coins.com/en/archives-anciennes/romaines-imperiales/imp-xxxxii-cos-xvii-p-p-type-ii-b-441450-1203.

I also note this coin with IMP and not INP but which shows a dot under the letter A of AVG which could possibly still be the start of an engraving. Coin sold on 05 January 2005 by Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 105, lot 226, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=203364. I add this coin sharing the same obverse die, sold by Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 418, lot 486: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=4884428.

Type I: with mark CONOB or COMOB (CONOB here) and the reverse legend usually ending before the shield. No punctuation on legend either side. A square throne, the right leg as a triangular protuberance, stiff drapery and vertical scepter. This corresponds to type III of RIC X. Var A is the same as RIC X: elongated and long shield.

See AYC #21, RIC 323: https://www.all-your-coins.com/en/archives-anciennes/romaines-imperiales/imp-xxxxii-cos-xvii-p-p-type-i-a-441-450, for the commentary explaining the entire coinage.