Lot 461: Theodosius II. A.D. 402-450. Æ nummus. Uncertain mint, perhaps Cyzicus.

Theodosius II. A.D. 402-450. Æ nummus (13 mm, 1.38 g, 6 h). Uncertain mint, perhaps Cyzicus. D N THEODO-SIVS P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Theodosius II right / Cross within wreath with medallion containing X at top; [...]. Cf. RIC 441 (Heraclea), 444 (Constantinople), 447 (Nicomedia), and 449 Cyzicus). Black patina with earthen highlights. Extremely fine.

Unfortunately, as is often with the small bronze nummi of the 5th century, here the mint mark is struck off the flan, thus making the determination of the mint nearly impossible. The only way one would be able to do is if they either recognized the hand of the engraver or found a die match to a coin with a clear mint mark. To this cataloguer's eye - especially in the way the letters are formed - the engraving hints at Cyzicene workshop, but admittedly this is not much more than a guess.

• Offered By: Barry P. Murphy
• Lot #: 461
• Listing #: 195678
• Closed: Tuesday, December 13, 2016 7:50:00 PM CT
• Estimate: $100