Contributed by John Knisely, October, 2003. Discussion from the FORVM (including comments by David Sear) follow... See http://www.forumancientcoins.com FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board Ancient coins discussions Identification Help (Moderators: Alex, Joe Sermarini) Constantius Gallus RIC request« previous next » « on: October 18, 2003, 01:22:15 pm » I just received this Constantius Gallus in a batch of semi-uncleaneds. A RIC identification would be most welcome. The coin is an AE2, 24mm. Obverse legend is DNCONSTANTI-VSNOBCAES. Here's a pic: cgallusobv.jpg Report to moderator Logged That which is not good for the beehive cannot be good for the bees. - Marcus Aurelius fiat_lex Praetorian Offline Posts: 181 lavdator temporis acti Re:Constantius Gallus RIC request « Reply #1 on: October 18, 2003, 01:29:19 pm » Reverse is Gallus holding labarum in his left hand and Victory in his right. Legend is FELTEMPRE-PARATIO. Gamma in left field, star right. Exergue is TSA pellet or dash. For some reason I can't post the reverse. Report to moderator Logged That which is not good for the beehive cannot be good for the bees. - Marcus Aurelius fiat_lex Praetorian Offline Posts: 181 lavdator temporis acti Re:Constantius Gallus RIC request « Reply #2 on: October 18, 2003, 02:01:50 pm » try try again cgallustry.jpg Report to moderator Logged That which is not good for the beehive cannot be good for the bees. - Marcus Aurelius wolfgang336 Consul Offline Posts: 540 Down with Time!!! Re:Constantius Gallus RIC request « Reply #3 on: October 18, 2003, 02:17:29 pm » I've never seen that reverse before... i have no idea at all what it is... Report to moderator Logged helvetica Praetorian Offline Posts: 455 Helvetia Libera Deo Gratia Re:Constantius Gallus RIC request « Reply #4 on: October 18, 2003, 02:25:48 pm » (Changed my original posting, I found it..) RIC VIII Thessalonica 179 (bust type/legend G1) with the Gamma in the left field and star in right. Mintmark is star TS Delta dot (179). Rated Scarce These were only made in Thessalonica and there are 4 different types of them (2 different with NOB CAES but Thess 170 had TS Epsilon and 2 different with DN CONSTAN-TIVS PF AVG Helvetica Report to moderator Logged helvetica Praetorian Offline Posts: 455 Helvetia Libera Deo Gratia Re:Constantius Gallus RIC request « Reply #5 on: October 18, 2003, 02:35:12 pm » PS : He's "spurning" a captive (giving him a kick in the back..) Helvetica Report to moderator Logged fiat_lex Praetorian Offline Posts: 181 lavdator temporis acti Re:Constantius Gallus RIC request « Reply #6 on: October 18, 2003, 02:44:29 pm » Thanks for the fast help, Helvetica. Like Evan, I hadn't seen this particular fel temp reverse before. Come to think of it, fel temps other than fallen horseman could make a nice spreadsheet. Report to moderator Logged That which is not good for the beehive cannot be good for the bees. - Marcus Aurelius helvetica Praetorian Offline Posts: 455 Helvetia Libera Deo Gratia Re:Constantius Gallus RIC request « Reply #7 on: October 18, 2003, 02:52:48 pm » Yes, yes I've taken the hint !! Actually I was thinking of doing an Excel workbook with all the other Fel Temps which would include these, phoenix on a something, etc. It'll come, it'll come And by pure coincidence, I got my first one of these (but Thess 172 with *TSA* ) before I bought my first RIC and had a helluva job finding it. Just got another in a batch of uncleaneds, not had time to ID it yet. Helvetica Report to moderator Logged fiat_lex Praetorian Offline Posts: 181 lavdator temporis acti Re:Constantius Gallus RIC request « Reply #8 on: October 18, 2003, 03:01:28 pm » Quote from: helvetica on October 18, 2003, 02:25:48 pm Mintmark is star TS Delta dot (179). I just went back and looked directly at the coin again, and I really see alpha rather than delta in the exergue. It's not one of those blocky, serif-laden letters that can be either, but rather a curved form with the cross-stroke high up. Is the first officina not possible, given the legends and field marks? Report to moderator Logged That which is not good for the beehive cannot be good for the bees. - Marcus Aurelius helvetica Praetorian Offline Posts: 455 Helvetia Libera Deo Gratia Re:Constantius Gallus RIC request « Reply #9 on: October 18, 2003, 03:24:21 pm » Just looked through them again. There were some with TSA with the Gamma left and the star right but only for DN CONSTAN-TIVS PF AVG. Type G1 (with NOB CAES and TI-VS break were only made in Delta and Epsilon. There's not even a star in the line for Officina A (which would lead to a note, often saying "confirmation required") Helvetica Report to moderator Logged fiat_lex Praetorian Offline Posts: 181 lavdator temporis acti Re:Constantius Gallus RIC request « Reply #10 on: October 18, 2003, 09:20:15 pm » If it is alpha, then, and just for the sake of argument, would that mean it's (fiat crosses his fingers ) unlisted? Report to moderator Logged That which is not good for the beehive cannot be good for the bees. - Marcus Aurelius Mayadigger Consul Offline Posts: 914 Romans, lock your wives way! Re:Constantius Gallus RIC request « Reply #11 on: October 18, 2003, 09:58:52 pm » Ave! Hey John, that is no Delta! A great find! Send pix to David Sear and ask him about it. He's a great guy and will surely respond. Best, K Report to moderator Logged "Goodbye, Livia: never forget our marriage!" wolfgang336 Consul Offline Posts: 540 Down with Time!!! Re:Constantius Gallus RIC request « Reply #12 on: Yesterday at 08:15:23pm » Be sure to tell us all what he thinks. Report to moderator Logged fiat_lex Praetorian Offline Posts: 181 lavdator temporis acti Re:Constantius Gallus RIC request « Reply #13 on: Today at 05:12:04pm » Mr. Sear has already replied to my inquiry. Here's what he has to say: "I have taken a look at your coin of Constantius Gallus and it would certainly seem to coincide with RIC 179 except for the missing star preceding the mint name. The mint mark TS/officina/pellet appears to be unrecorded and one is tempted to suspect that the omission of the star is a die-engraver's error. Otherwise, it would represent a previously unknown issue which is certainly possible given the rarity of the type for Gallus. Incidentally, I believe the officina letter is probably beta rather than alpha. If you compare it with the "A"s in the obverse and reverse legends you will find that they have flat tops while the officina letter has a curved top. I hope this is of some help to you. Sincerely, David R. Sear" So I've either got an unlisted officina for RIC 179 or else a previously unknown issue. Off to Wildwinds with this one.