Heritage Roman Pickups - Two Æ follis

Zohar

There was a nice lot of small bronzes in choice condition. I won a couple for my undefined ancient collection, and once in hand, will decide which of the two to keep.

Constantine II, as Caesar (AD 337-340). Æ follis (1.86 gm). Siscia, AD 337. Laureate and cuirassed bust of Constantine II right / Two soldiers standing facing, each holding spear and shield; two standards between them; ASIS? in exergue. RIC VII 262. A wonderfully high grade piece. NGC Choice MS 5/5 - 5/5.





Constantius II (AD 337-361). Æ follis (1.86 gm). Siscia. Diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust of Constantius II right / Two standards standing facing, each holding a spear and shield; standard with a Chi-Rho between them; ASIS[crescent] in exergue. RIC VIII 97. NGC MS 5/5 - 5/5.

JCMhouston

Very nice Z, I had those on my watch list also, I'm glad I didn't run you up.

NiceCurrency

I think it's so wild that we can pull an ancient coin out of the ground that is mint state

wonder why the top coin didn't get "fine style" the detail in the cuirass is exquisite

Zohar

NiceCurrency - do you think these were found in Jars or isolated from the elements preserving the surfaces?

NiceCurrency

I don't know the answer to that, I'm just an amateur collector

on my screen the coins appear black so clearly they toned

how fun would it be to time travel and watch a time lapse of this coin getting struck and then ending up in the ground shortly thereafter and untouched for eons until someone comes along with a metal detector

here are the inscriptions if you don't already have this info (they can get a little tough to read when they're blobby):

on Constantine II: CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C and GLORIA EXCERCITVM translating to Constantine Jr., Noble Caesar and Glory of the Army
on Constantius II: CONSTANTIVS PF AVG and again GLORIA EXCERCITVM translating to Constantius, Pius and Happy Augustus, and again Glory of the Army

lordmarcovan

Those are just about the most commonly encountered late Roman bronzes, but they ain't so common like that!

lordmarcovan

<< <i>NiceCurrency - do you think these were found in Jars or isolated from the elements preserving the surfaces? >>

They would almost have to have been, I would think. Most ancient hoards were buried in clay pots or amphorae.

nicholasz219

Yes, you don't see bronze like that even from the fourth century in that condition often. I'm guessing they were stored in a jar or something. It is also something that fascinates me when there is metal flow around the lettering like on these two pieces. I see it more often in silver, honestly, but still it seems to only affect coins in or near mint state. Is it because as they tone it is hidden? I am assuming that is metal flow, I wouldn't know what else it was.

Also, I have to stop reading your posts, Zohar. *envy*

Aethelred

My very first Roman coin, purchased back in the mid 1980s, was a Constantine I with soldiers and srandards reverse. Although it is not anywhere near as nice as these, i still have it and it isone of my favorite coins because of the world of ancient coins and history it opened up for me.