I have a web site on the earliest references to Christianity on Roman coins. http://esty.ancients.info/Christian/ChristianSymbols.html Today I added a variety I had previously been unaware of. Most FEL TEMP REPARATIO types have chi-rhos or crosses, but the "solider spearing fallen horseman" type almost never does. When I saw this one, I got it for my site. It is now Type 4.5 in the table on the main page: In the field is the interesting LXXII, which means "72 to the pound" as a statement of denomination, which is rare in and of itself. But the chi-rho in the middle is rare enough to have escaped my attention for many years! This one is of Constantius Gallus and there is a corresponding type of Constantius II. This one is 23 mm maximum and 3.23 grams. The corrosion is bad but it is so rare that I don't expect to be able to upgrade it. I invite you to visit my site and to post here your interesting "soldier spearing fallen horseman" varieties.
The corrosion may be "bad", but I most definitely have seen worse. And I've never seen the chi-rho on a FH type. Very interesting.
I'm another who never saw or noticed a chi-rho on a FH type.... Now, I have to reexamine all of mine again LOL That's a very cool find!!!
Excellent link Valentinian----very impressive work!!! I wasn't totally aware of the three types either--cross; chi-rho; and cross rho. Very interesting write-up and obviously a 'labor of love.' Congrats!!
I agree this is a rare one and one I don't have. It is RIC 196 page 333 Aquileia which RIC humorists list as a common coin. I'll show RIC 198 (next type down) also 'common' with a wreath in place of the Chi-Rho. RIC editors took a cheap out and used a stock type wreath for the book which is open at the top but I'm reasonably sure my coin with looped wreath is what they meant. It is not like my experience on these is enough to mean much. The expert here is Dane of Wildwinds whose page shows one of Warren's coin and three like mine but hers makes Warren's look mint state. The common ones have nothing is the middle. I suppose we should mention that you can get the LXXII from Siscia as well but they don't offer wreaths or Chi-Rhos. Mine is another Constantius Gallus. RIC says they are common for Constantius II but I have not stumbled on one yet. I have no interesting FH coins that I have not shown here before.
I have seen the OP variety before. Unfortunately, the dealers that had examples for sale knew exactly how rare they were, and charged accordingly. Hopefully some day I'll cherry-pick one for the price of an average FH. I have no interesting Falling Horsemen, just pretty ones. But now that I've got that out of my system, I'm looking for the unusual varieties.
I'm no ancient guy, but I love Christian referencing coins; I'm considering trying for ones specifically referencing Christ, but I'm years from being able to chase that.
Not years away. Pick up any relatively common Byzantine anonymous bronze. all have a picture of Christ, and most spell his name out.
Interesting type. The corrosion adds to the visual effect IMO as it leads the eye directly to the Chi-Rho which pops up ! Nice addition indeed Q
