IMP XXXXII COS XVII P P (type III / II, B, 3 dots on reverse) (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.

IMPXXXXII COS – XVIIPP

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.

One coin sold on 03 May /2019 by Leipziger Münzhandlung und Auktion Heidrun Höhn, Auction 91, lot 1219, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=5885469. Coin already sold on 14/ November 2016 by Macho & Chlapovic, Auction 11, lot 29, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3459503. I noted in the description the diameter of the sale of Macho & Chlapovic and the weight noted by Leipziger Münzhandlung und Auktion Heidrun Höhn. The weight given by Macho & Chlapovic is of 4.46 grs. Lets note that Macho & Chlapovic record the same precise diameter for lot 30 of the same sale (similar solidus of same type and classifiable here). The diameter is therefore likely measured at the widest point.

Variant without a dot on the obverse and three dots on the reverse located after IMP, XVII and after the first P of P P. COMOB mark. Reverse of type III (legend with dots) and design of type II, shield of type B.

This coin shares the same reverse die as the AYC #39 var, a, RIC - which is listed simply to explain that the variant listed by the RIC X n° 320 with two dots, and the officina S does not exist. The position and number of the noted dots are not exact, and the reverse die of the reference coin is the same as that of the coin listed on AYC# 41 b, RIC 319. See comments of AYC #39 var, a, RIC - here: https://www.all-your-coins.com/en/archives-anciennes/romaines-imperiales/imp-xxxxii-cos-xvii-p-p-type-iii-ii-b-2-points-au-revers-441450-1230.

I therefore list two obverse dies associated with a single reverse die, the second obverse die being the one listed in the AYC# 39 var, a, RIC - and sharing the same dies as this specimen sold on 14 November 2016 by Macho & Chlapovic, Auction 11, lot 30, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3459504. This therefore proves that the striking of these coins with mint-mark S was of short duration. This coin also illustrates the AYC #41 b, obv link which shares its obverse die with a coin without a dot and bearing the mark CONOB, in which the N is reversed. See here: https://www.all-your-coins.com/en/archives-anciennes/romaines-imperiales/imp-xxxxii-cos-xvii-p-p-type-iii-ii-b-3-points-au-revers-441450-1238.

The ranking follows the positional order of the dots on the reverse (before the first or second... abbreviation or date). Each difference in the position of the dots is classified as "var" if the same "var" exists with two different officina letters, So the first one will be classified as "var" and the second coin as "var, a" with the small "a" indicating the next officina letter. Thus we have, for example, the AYC #39 var with the officina  and the AYC #39 var, a with the officina S, the two numbers having exactly the same dots positions in the legend.

It is noticeable that the number of coins with three dots on the reverse (regardless of position or association with dots on the obverse) is much higher than that of coins with one or two dots. The number of specimens increases with each new dot added, when reaching the 6 dots these coins outnumber the combined total of all other coins ranging from 1 to 5 dots.

On many coins (regardless of the number of dots), there is a sort of dark dot located between the two Ps or after the last one (like on this coin referenced here). If one of the dots is unmistakably present after one of the Ps, the other letter often shows another dark dot. Is it a case of a clogged die revealing a tiny remnant that looks like a sort of smudge due to the lighting in the photo? This also applies to other spots in front of other letters (though this is less common). It could just as well be a matter of micro-cracks in the die like those seen on the obverse but the location of these small details on the reverse is peculiar, as they are situated between the letters.

Type III: with the mark CONOB or COMOB (CONOB here). Legend punctuation on the reverse. This corresponds to type II of RIC X. Variant A and B are the same as RIC X: A = large, B = smaller, rounder shield. This type blends characteristics of types I and II in terms of design and the position of the legend relative to the shield: Constantinople large or small, helmet flat or not, drapery tight or not natural, legend ending before or at the level of the shield. The likely reuse of old reverse dies (there are already links between obverse dies and coins without reverse dots) consequently mixes the first two types. This mixing of the two types may also demonstrate the high probability that this series with dots on reverse is the last. For each Type III coin, I add the reverse design type after ''/'', thus giving either: ''III / I'' or ''III / II'', designating a Type III reverse with a Type I or II design followed by shield type A or B.