IMP XXXXII COS XVII P P (type II, B) (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 28 December 2022 by Heritage Auctions, Auction 232252, lot 65313, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=10369596, link to their website: https://coins.ha.com/itm/1/1/1/a/232252-65313.s?type=acsearch232252#. Coin under shield NGC, link to their website: https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/5230694-018/NGCAncients/.

Variant with the letter N of CONOB reversed.

Mark CONOB.

Note here one copy sold on 30 January 2016 by Roma Numismatics Limited, E-Sale 24, lot 707, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2926265. This coin has been resold on 07 March 2017  by Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, Auction 245, lot 1823, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3669863, but it has been re-engraved in the meantime. We then find this same copy re-engraved, sold on 02 December 2017 by Roma Numismatics Limited, E-Sale 41, lot 1036, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=4586310, resold again on 07 February 2019 by this same auction house, E-Sale 53, lot 979, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=5660782. By observing another coin with the same dies but in perfect original condition, we see that the person who re-engraved the example mentioned above did a very good job; only the mouth and the exaggeration of the depth of the drapery on the belly of Constantinople are different from the original; coin sold on 14 September 2004 by UBS Gold & Numismatics, Auction 61, lot 4633, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=185938. 

The worn example, sold on January 30, 2016, by Roma Numismatics Limited, E-Sale 24, lot 707, weighed 4.49 grams and measured 21.00 mm, while subsequent examples weigh 4.47 grams and measure 20.00 mm. The weight loss is understandable given that modern engraving has removed some metal. The 20.00 mm diameter seems unusual but could be due to subjective measurement, as the blanks may not be uniform, or the diameter could be between 20.00 and 21.00 mm. It should now be noted that the eyes are engraved in a more oval and Germanic style than on typical coins. This style is similar to that of Sirmium, located in Serbia, and is central to the so-called "Eastern" productions that is, very well-executed modern forgeries produced in large numbers. This coin, like AYC #26 SIR, RIC 323, therefore warrants further analysis. AYC #26 SIR, RIC 323 may be a re-engraved coin. The Sirmium mint produced coins with deep, fine engraving and great detail; a modern engraving added to a worn example from another mint would thus produce the same effect.

All these examples share the same reverse die as the example illustrating this AYC #30 var 2, RIC -. This obverse die is also present on a coin with the INP variant but the CONOB mark correctly inscribed, reverse of type II with a slightly triangular knee, coin sold on 20 February 2013 by CGB.fr, MONNAIES 57, lot 369, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=1500906. This obverse die link with another reverse die, also bearing an erroneous legend, likely indicates that these dies were created by a mixed team of experienced engravers and engravers of barbarian origin. Let's add other coins with a different obverse die but still with the same reverse die, coin sold on 14 October 2014 by Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, Auction 225, lot 2559, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2162537 (Note that the letter G of AVG is square-shaped). And a last copy sold on 16 November 2015 by Heidelberger Münzhandlung Herbert Grün, Auction 66, lot 174, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2741835. In total, I list four different obverse dies, associated with this same reverse die.

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.

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.