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


Reference : AYC #32 var corr, RIC 285
Weight: 4.46 grs
Metal: Gold
Diameter: ?
Scarcity: Very rare
Type:

Obverse

Reverse

DN TH/EEODOSI - 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. 

IMP 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.

Marks

COMOB
Numéro :

One coin sold on 06 May 2002 by Leu Numismatik, Auction 83, lot 859, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=101058. The weight noted by the auction house and copied by acsearch.info is "4.46 grs 5"; it is possible that the weight was noted incorrectly.

Variant with the letter H of THEODOSIVS modified, we see a letter E pasted onto the H, and this same letter H has a wide shape in the center, suggesting a possible correction, H over N? In any case, even without correction, there was indeed an E inscribed on the H in addition to the following E. IMP on the reverse? It's possible that the INP variant is visible. This doesn't appear to be the case and suggests an M with a line attached to the right leg.

See these two links where coins with the same kind of correction on the letters H and E are classified. Variant with the letter E of THEODOSIVS re-engraved on another letter (H ?) or retouched because the vertical bar was too close to the next letter: https://www.all-your-coins.com/en/archives-anciennes/romaines-imperiales/imp-xxxxii-cos-xvii-p-p-type-i-a-441450-1175; Variant with slightly degenerated legend on the obverse and reverse. The letter H of THEODOSE was an N which was corrected to H: https://www.all-your-coins.com/en/archives-anciennes/romaines-imperiales/imp-xxxxii-cos-xvii-p-p-type-i-a-441450-1173.

Type II: with the mark CONOB or COMOB (COMOB 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.