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.

IP XXXXII COS – XVII P P

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 09 January 2016 by Roma Numismatic Limited, E-Sale 23, lot 651, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2843466, link to their website: https://www.romanumismatics.com/. Coin resold on 08 September 2016 by Heritage Auctions, Auction 3049, lot 32362, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3249491. Roma Numismatics Limited notes a weight of 4.50 grs and Heritage Auctions notes 4.49 grs. I noted the weight of 4.49 grs.

Mark CONOB.

Variant with slightly degenerated legend on the obverse and reverse. The word ''degen'' in the reference denotes the degenerate legend. The weight is good for this copy having suffered little wear, unlike the AYC #21 degen copy, RIC 323. It is an official coin which shows the composition of the mint at this period with barbarian engravers. The reversed letter N on the reverse for the word INP is interesting because it shows that the copies with the word INP are not poorly engraved M but letters N. The style of the coin is more barbaric than on the copies: AYC # 21 degen, RIC 323 and AYC #21 degen corr, RIC 323. The overall style is very well respected for this issue with a portrait looking to the right.

A dot under the letter V of AVG, probably a die break. I noted a letter D instead of the letter P of PF on the obverse, the letter is probably poorly executed but given the other unmistakable errors in the legend I preferred to note this letter F. One dot ahead IP on the reverse, being a stain.. Heritage Auctions note IMP · XXXXII · COS · XVIII · P · P · by classifying the coin as RIC 285. Probably an error because we see no dot other than the one in front of the word IP. We note another example sharing the same obverse die, coin sold on 21 February 2021 by Nomos, Obolos Web Auction 18, lot 778, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=7816370.

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.