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 Replies: 15 / Views: 1,359 |
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Pillar of the Community
1121 Posts |
I recently purchased this coin that was described as Theodosius Nummus Cyzicus Bronze Caesar 1.22 gm, 12 mm. No further details were given, but I wanted a Theodosius so I bought it. Now I am having trouble identifying it and I am wondering if it has been mis-attributed? Can anyone help with any inf/thoughts, please?  
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Pillar of the Community
3772 Posts |
Could very well be RIC#26b from Cyzicus.
With a loupe you should be able to get enough detail of the inscription to confirm it.
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Pillar of the Community
Italy
1790 Posts |
Very nice coin. Hard to believe copper coins weighed over 10 grams and were 25+ mm only80 years before . What could these small Ae's even buy at the time ? Though I can't stand that Imperator you picked up a nice coin regardless of who is on it.  |
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Pillar of the Community
 1121 Posts |
Thank-you, Med. I missed that. My eyes aren't what they used to be.
I will have to stop going by the pictures and start going for the legend FIRST.
Thanks again. I would say that you are 'Spot-On'.
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Pillar of the Community
Italy
1790 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
1121 Posts |
Thanks A.M. I don't know why I wanted one. I think that it was the way that the name rolled off the tongue. I know very little about the man, except that he restored unity to the Roman empire that lasted some 80 (odd) years until it's fall.
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Pillar of the Community
Russian Federation
5178 Posts |
I'm seeing CNKB in the exergue, which doesn't seem to correspond with any mintmark at all (Cyzicus or not). In fact, I couldn't find any mintmark with NK in it, and these two letters are quite clear.
Could it be an unofficial issue? I'm not sure if they existed that late, but this coin definitely looks the part (though I admit it could just be from the sheer bad spelling of the Greek workers of the era).
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Pillar of the Community
3772 Posts |
Poor engraving of the dies and wear have likely made SMKB look that way.
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Pillar of the Community
Italy
1790 Posts |
He was a decent military man but a religious fanatic who was easily manipulated by clergy ( I am talking about you Ambrose). His costly war with Magnus Maximus and another Emperor named Eugenius basically left the Roman legions in terminal decline. And he left the Empire in the hands of the most incompetent fools he could find , his sons ! He ruled a United Roman Empire for about 4 months before he died , so no he was no great Emperor . For more on him http://www.roman-empire.net/collaps...osius-I.html |
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Pillar of the Community
Italy
1790 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
3772 Posts |
But wasn't it the disloyalty of Magnus Maximus which drove the empire into the ground?
(I know, I know - you support the warmonger.)
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Pillar of the Community
Italy
1790 Posts |
Magnus Maximus overthrew Gratian in 383 . ( reasons are that Gratian was in love with his alan (a tribe) body guards and had alienated the rest of the troops) From the historical record it seems Magnus and Theo were friends or even relatives . After Gratian was killed The Empire was split into 3 ways . Magnus was in the west except Italy (Val. II) and Theodosius was in the east. For about 5 years this uneasy peace went on until Theodosius made a tough treaty with the Sassanids . He did this to free up troops to attack Magnus. Magnus in response to the impending attack then invaded Italy and drove out Val. II this gave Theodosius his excuse and the rest is history .
That said Magnus was certainly no saint ( the execution of Priscillian) but in my humble opinion the better of the two.
Edited by Augustus Maximus
01/04/2015 01:40 am
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Pillar of the Community
3772 Posts |
You are allowed to believe this - I have learnt never to argue history or philosophy (apart from obvious facts) on the internet.
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Pillar of the Community
Italy
1790 Posts |
We agree to disagree then Med.  Edited by Augustus Maximus
01/04/2015 12:57 am
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Pillar of the Community
1121 Posts |
Thanks a lot, guys. (Genuine). I can't wait for it to arrive.
So much history in a $3 coin. (Maybe I bought it for the price)
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Pillar of the Community
1121 Posts |
Just to see if this 'loosens' up the 'works.
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Replies: 15 / Views: 1,359 |
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Posted 01/04/2015 12:10 am
