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

D TEOOOSI - VS PF 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.

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 the 17/06/2015 by Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 353, lot 710, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3325719, link to their website: https://www.cngcoins.com/. From the collection of Dr. Lawrence A. Adams. Ex Stack’s (08/04/1989, lot 77); Frederick S. Knobloch Collection (Coin Galleries, 28/03/1977, lot 982).

Coin with degenerate legends (uncertainty on the reverse, INP or IIP?), the auction house attributes this strike to a Germanic tribe. I classify it as potentially coming from the official mint, because as we have seen, there are many barbarian engravers in this mint. In addition, the designs are of good quality and the weight corresponds to an official coin.

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 B is the same as RIC X: smaller and rounder 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.