Smackdown Xx

In 287, during the time of Diocletian and Maximian, Carausius, commander of the channel fleet, proclaimed himself emperor and occupied Britain. At first he issued many coins in his name alone, but in an attempt to appear to be a partner rather than a rival, c. 290-292 he issued at London a series acknowledging the two other emperors as well, distinguished by the three G's in AVGGG. These three PAX AVGGG coins are from that unusual series, one for Carausius himself, one for Diocletian, and one for Maximian.







-- Warrren

My history,and my coins ... Tetricus II son of Tetricus I,was Caesar with his father,but Aureliano won them(270-273AC)(Gallia)







Vabalathus,was Augustus with his mother,but Aurelianus won them (271-272 AC)(Palmyra)







Aurelianus was a MAN emperator(270-275)Born in 207AC,had between 63 and 66 years when he won the kids ....









Conclusion : Do not let children play with guns!

These four coins from two different mints have something in common. They have a 'plume' on the top of the helmet, which is usually seen on the D4 busts of some Vrbs Roma coins and not usually on Contantinopolis types.

There is another connection that I will get to in a moment.

The first coin pictured here, from Cyzicus, is one I found on ebay while putting together a set of Constantinopolis mints. When I noticed it had a plume on the helmet and all the others I had didn't. I posted this question on another forum but got little response.


I then sent the photo to the owner of Not In RIC. The initial conclusion was it was perhaps an error or an ancient imitation. Then I sent the second coin pictured here, also from Cyzicus. With that and further investigation by Lech from Not In RIC he posted them as an obverse variety not in the RIC and added to the corrigenda about this bust type.
Since then several more have been brought to his attention and I have purchased two more, the last two pictured here. They were minted at Constantinople, not far from Cyzicus.






So here is the other connection, or I might say, as of yet an unknown connection.

All but one of the specimens that have appeared so far are from two mints, Constantinople and Cyzicus.

So what is the connection here between Cyzicus and Constantinople with these coins and why are the plumes on them?

Was it an Vrbs Roma engraver who liked the plume and moved between the two mint cities and officiae? Was it dies with the plume distributed between the two cities? Or was it (as I pretend to believe) an inconspicuous secret code placed on some coins for some unknown reason at these mints.

Note... there is one coin listed at NIR from Thessalonica.
Others may show up. I'd like to find one from Heraclea or Nicomedia and expand mystery.

Gold => Bing's "the four emperors" (firstly because he had the guts to post first ... secondly, he wrote quite well ... plus I thought that his coins were very cool)

Silver => augustus1's "3 GGGs" (similar type of tale as Bing's ... very interesting times ... plus, very nice coins!!)

Bronze => chrsmat71's "pocket pieces" (the story had a happy message to other coin collectors ... share the wealth and spread the word)

... as always "hats-off" to the few that manned-up and made an effort to join Eng5858's SMACKDOWN (and thanks for running the show, Eng)

Your right Jango, I'd missed the extension post too.

Maybe Steves been at the wine again

Honorius siliqua


Arcadius AE3


My theme is Roma/Constantinopolis seated. After their father, Emperor Theodosius I, died in 395 AD. Honorius and Arcadius divided the empire between themselves (the Roman Empire would never be truly reunited again), with Honorius ruling in the west and Arcadius in the east. Because of this it is appropriate that on my Honorius siliqua, Roma is depicted on the reverse (since Rome was in the western portion), and Constantinopolis is depicted on my Arcadius coin (Constantinople being in the east).

Voting ends "tonight"


=> so far, it is a total run-away!!