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.

Coin referenced in the RIC X n°285, source: British Museum. This is most likely one of the two examples illustrated here: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_1870-0106-3. Museum number 1870,0106.3. Axisn 6h. Purchased in 1870 at Rollin & Feuardent. the other copy: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_B-12601, Museum number B.12601, 4.45 grs. The two coins have the same dies. 

Variant without dot in the legends and with a officina letter, mark COMOB. Type B shield.

All Type II coins, with or without obverse dots but with a officina letter, were produced by experienced engravers. However, the coins are of several different styles, and it is likely that they are older dies associated with Type I or II but bearing the mint mark CONOB. Several dies (from all officinas) remind me of coins already classified under the numbers associated with these AYC #34 (a, b, etc.); same dies or same engraver? Were these small productions (fewer than 5 or 10 examples on average per mint) made by groups of experienced engravers from Constantinople or still based in Constantinople? It seems logical to begin by deducing that several series were intentionally produced according to the periods or locations. Since the coins in the series that interests us here bear the COMOB mark, I further deduce that these strikes were produced by an itinerant mint that had fled the Huns. The only difference we note on this series of coins AYC #34 (a, b, etc.) compared to the series classified before it (type I or II without a dot or officina mark) is that no example was made by inexperienced engravers: the legends are perfect (The only exception being AYC #34 c, RIC 285 having INP on the reverse; this may be due to a lack of space forcing the engravers to glue the last bar too close to the last leg), the design is fine and very often typical of the Constantinople style. It should also be noted that all coins with a officina mark have a type B shield.

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.