Phoenix on pyre 1100 anniversary founding of Rome ! Rare Roman Empire Constans

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Roman: Imperial Constans 1100th anniversary of the founding of Rome Phoenix, radiate, standing right on pile of ashes (pyre). FEL TEMP REPARATIO - "Happy Days are here again!" RIC 232 (Siscia) Constans AE3 Obv: CONSTANS PF AVG - Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: FEL TEMP REPARATIO Exe: SIS - Phoenix, radiate, standing right on pile of ashes (pyre). Siscia Mint Symbol of rebirth, the Phoenix type seems particularly appropriate for a series of coins issued on the 1100th anniversary of the founding of Rome. FEL TEMP REPARATIO - "Happy Days are here again!" These coins were introduced as part of the coinage reform of 348 AD by Constantius II and Constans. All coins of this reform bear the reverse legend FEL TEMP REPARATIO ('Restoration of Happy Times') which was translated by Victor Failmezger in his excellent survey of the issues ( The Celator , Vol. 6 No. 10, October 1992) as 'Happy Days are Here Again'. The scope of this page and my knowledge of the subject will not allow coverage in minute detail. I feel particularly weak in my understanding of the denominations involved with this series. The earliest FEL TEMP REPARATIO coins were clearly divided into three denominations with Falling Horsemen and the Galleys being the largest. The middle denomination was almost the same diameter as the largest but contained less silver and was distinguished by left facing busts on their obverses. These commonly show the reverse type of a soldier leading a barbarian from a hut or the emperor with two captives. The third denomination was appropriately smaller and bore the popular design showing a Phoenix. As time progressed the smaller two denominations were discontinued and the Falling Horsemen shrank in a series of standards revisions to a size smaller than the smallest 'Phoenix'. The exact relationship of each of these coins to each other and to the gold coins of the day is a subject being studied as this is being written. One sees explanations of these coins that apply denomination names 'Majorina' and 'Centenionalis' but I remain unconvinced that we are correct in the application of these names to the coins in hand. For now, at least, I prefer to use the size scale AE1 (over 25mm), AE2 (21-25mm), AE3 (17-21mm) and AE4 (under 17mm). Earliest FTR coins are AE2 while the last issues had shrunk to the border between AE3 and AE4. Part 5 - The Phoenix Finally we consider the smallest denomination of the FTR series. Weighing half as much as the large (AE2) coins and containing only a trace (accidental?) of silver, these could not have been valued at over half the middle denomination. Obverses were right facing busts of either Constantius II or Constans but the type was discontinued before the first issues of the other rulers discussed above. The Phoenix coins were issued by ten mints in two major varieties. Six mints show the phoenix standing on a globe while five used a pile of stones (pyre). Thessalonica issued coins of both varieties. Our illustration shows reverses from Siscia (pyre, left) and Nicomedia (globe, right). Symbol of rebirth, the Phoenix type seems particularly appropriate for a series of coins issued on the 1100th anniversary of the founding of Rome. Our little survey of the FTR coins is far from a complete reference on the subject. There are other varieties not mentioned here as well as hundreds of versions made special by rare combinations of field letters and mint marks. As this is being written I am aware of two separate efforts to write a book on the coins of this period. Although common, they are extremely varied and present a great opportunity for building an interesting collection at reasonable cost. Publication of a good book on the subject would be a great service to numismatic scholarship. I hope we will soon see the fruits of these efforts. Constans 337 - 350 The middle child of Constantine's three surviving sons, Constans inherited the domains of Italy and the Roman provinces in Africa after ... read more

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