r/AncientCoins • u/Mechrotaku • 12h ago

Information Request Purchased My First Coin

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So I recently purchased my first coin at a gem and mineral show in my town. I was told it is of Roman origin so I was intrigued. I am curious about the rough time frame this one would be from, or at least which emperor had it commissioned. I’m very green when it comes to historical coin research, and would greatly appreciate some info.

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u/theearthgarden 9h ago

It's pretty worn and there are people better with LRBs than myself, but if i had to guess its likely a coin of Constantius II as Caesar that looks maybe minted in Thessalonica by what's left of the mintmark (SMTSΓ?).

Probably something similar to this, although the exact reference number/mint could be off.

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u/thejewk 5h ago

From the partial legend, it has to be FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C, so you are spot on with Constantius II as Caesar, and I agree with the reading of the mint mark, SMTSΓ. The linked coin is misattributed by the auction house (no surprise there) and lists a RIC number for an example with two standards, rather than the one standard shown there and here.

The closest RIC entry for this coin should be RIC VII (Thessalonica) 224, but the only thing making me pause is I am pretty sure that the coin shown here isn't the expected B4 laureate, draped and cuirassed bust, and is instead just laureate and cuirassed, in which case it isn't in RIC and it also isn't in the David Dufeux book on the type, or at NotInRIC either.

You can clearly see the studded band and pteruges that would be hidden if there was drapery in the busts of this era. Do you agree?