Monogram-Late Roman/Byzantine-Can Not Find-13MM-Head Of Emperor Right

This enigmatic coin definitely needs an obverse picture. Helvetica lists it as 'Unknown'! http://www.catbikes.ch/coinstuff/monograms.htm

I tried to enhance your image a bit, but there really is much to got by. These late Roman bronze bust tend to all look a like.

Something smells off here.

We have a Greek cross-shaped monogram typical of the 6th-7th century Byzantine coins, coupled with a late 4th-early 5th century portrait. Monogram coins weren't a thing before Theodosius II, and the portraits were much more degenerate than this before Byzantine kings started using Greek monograms, especially in this format. I'd want to see some more examples vetted as being genuine, or else I'd suspect a numismatic forgery with extra examples seeded out to give credence to the original "find".

Can you give any details about this coin's provenance? What else was it found or sold with?

The reverse reminds me of the "cross in wreath" types of the late 4th and early 5th centuries. The monogram, which I've only see on Helvetica's ID Chart, always reminded me of a court jester...with a Greek/Byzantine style "A" as the right hand and "I" as the left hand.

Sorry, not a Mason - though my Dad actually worked as a Mason before he was drafted... While a few of the other Monograms on Helvetica's Chart look like stick figures, this one is the "best" representation of a figure - and the 'court jester' makes it easy for me to remember. Helvetica's Monogram spreadsheet lists this monogram once - on a 24mm. lead seal. The reference is CNG auction 195, Sept. 2008, lot 303. Found item on their website -

https://www.cNGCoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=129227

I'm thrilled CNG has a photo of a "coin" they sold 10 years ago on their website. Started collecting 'stuff' in 1969, added coins/medals in the early 70's. Back then, most purchases were at shows... Sold off bulk of it in the mid-80's via classified ads in newspapers, magazines and newsletters. (I wish digital cameras were available then!) Have "only" been collecting ancients for 5 years but have background in Archeology, History, Languages (though Greek is still driving me to distraction...).

We tend to emphasize "emperors", but could the monogram be from a provincial governor, military leader or other notable (or even a moneyer)?

Is it possible the answer is as simple as this - a coin from Constantine's time (or one of his sons?) was available around Constantinople (?) 150-200 (?) years later. The reverse was filed flush. The coin was heated, placed obverse down on a hard piece of wood and the reverse was re-struck with our mystery monogram? Either as test pieces or as 'tokens'? I'd suggest the engraver was fairly competent as the wreath and monogram (if they were done together) look pretty good. We don't know the "who", but this is a possible "how". This could have been done more "recently", too, as also suggested...