Æ (In the name of Constantius II; Round boat; with star) (348-425) front Æ (In the name of Constantius II; Round boat; with star) (348-425) back
Æ (In the name of Constantius II; Round boat; with star) (348-425) photo
© Classical Numismatic Group, Inc.

Æ In the name of Constantius II; Round boat; with star

 
Bronze 5.91 g 22 mm
Description
Issuer
Uncertain Germanic tribes
Type
Standard circulation coin
Years
348-425
Currency
Solidus (circa 301-750)
Composition
Bronze
Weight
5.91 g
Diameter
22 mm
Shape
Round (irregular)
Technique
Hammered
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-04
References
Numista
N#153938
Rarity index
97%

Reverse

Two people on a boat with staff in-between, all surrounded by legend.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
[...]CTA - ACREOV[...]
[...]

Translation:
[Felicitas Temporum Reparatio]
[Happy times are restored]

Edge

Plain

Comment

This coin is said to be struck from the mid-4th to early-5th centuries. While the mintmarks on most of these types are of uncertain mints, the prototypes for those coins were either struck in Lugdunum/Lyon mint, with those two types both being first struck in 548. With that being said, that is the most-likely beginning date for this entire type of AE struck by an Uncertain Germanic Tribe.

The denominations of bronze coins that are unknown to numismatists are referred to as Æ (AE), followed by the coin's diameter. The Æ part simply means the coin is made of a base alloy, and because the diameter of these coins is never exactly as intended, different numbers can appear after the Æ for the same type.

The exact lettering of the surrounding legend may vary; while some coins have legible legends, the legends of others may have been reduced to basically only lines.

Interesting fact

One interesting fact about this coin is that it features a unique combination of Roman and Germanic elements. The coin was issued in the name of Constantius II, a Roman Emperor, but it also includes a round boat and a star, which are symbols associated with Germanic tribes. This blending of cultural influences reflects the complex political and cultural dynamics of the time period.