IMP XXXXII COS XVII P P (type II, 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 16 January 2018 by Heritage Auctions, Auction 3063, lot 33458, link to the sale: https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-theodosius-ii-eastern-roman-emperor-ad-402-450-av-solidus-447-gm-ngc-au-5-5-3-5-lt-graffito-edg/a/3063-33458.s?type=acsearch3063#.

Variant with INP instead of IMP on the reverse. This is the only Type II coin with the variant of shield A that I have found. Of course, it is always quite complex to give an exact type (I or II) because the defining elements are very slightly different, and Type II seems to be a transitional type where a usual Constantinople style, a barbarian style, and sometimes even a style similar to the mint further north in Sirmium (which no longer strike) are mixed together.

Type II: with the mark CONOB or COMOB (CONOB here) and the reverse legend generally ending at the level of the shield. No legend punctuation on the reverse. A square, upright throne, the right knee is rounded, natural drapery, and a vertical scepter. This corresponds to Type I of RIC X. Variant B is the same as RIC X: a smaller, rounder shield.