Sale: CNG 69, Lot: 1781. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 8 June 2005.  Sold For $1000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

THEODOSIUS II. 402-450 AD. AR Miliarense (4.19 gm, 4h). Thessalonica mint. Struck 408-423 AD. Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Theodosius standing facing, head left, holding spear and shield; star in left field; COM. RIC X 392; DOCLR 348 (Constantinople); MIRB 59 (Constantinople); RSC -. Good VF. Rare. ($1000)

Ex Classical Numismatic Group 63 (21 May 2003) lot 1566.

The miliarense was originally struck during the reign of Constantine I, probably as a donative issue for military officers. Two distinct series evolved, one “heavy” at about 5.45 grams and one “light” at 4.55 grams. By the reign of Theodosius II, however, “heavy” and “light” had become purely notional. Now, the weights overlap, although the Emperor left / Emperor with globe type is generally heavier than the Emperor right / Emperor with spear and shield. The mint attribution is also disputed. DOC and MIRB see the mint mark as a distorted CON for Constantinople, while RIC reads it as COM, indicating Thessalonica. RIC also places the heavier type at Constantinople and the lighter at Thessalonica. As this and the following two lots indicate, there is a wide variation in style within this series. Lot 1783, with its fine style youthful portrait and high weight, seems to be a standard Constantinopolitan issue from early in the reign of Theodosius, possibly dating immediately prior to the beginning of his sole reign in 408, after the death of Arcadius. Lot 1782, on the other hand, is noticeably cruder, and lighter in weight; perhaps it is a provincial issue from Thessalonica.