RIC VII, ARLES [after 271], CRISPUS, UNLISTED BUST TYPE [G7 l.]

OBVERSE	CRISPVS-NOBCAES [CRISPVS NOB CAES]; heroic (nude) bust l., laur., spear pointing forward, shield on l. arm [G7 l.].
REVERSE	PROVIDEN-TIAECAESS [PROVIDENTIAE CAESS]; gateway with two turrets, star above, no doors, varying number of stone layers. T*AR in exergue.
NOT IN RIC	UNLISTED BUST TYPE - G7 l. Heroic bust type is not unusual on gold coins (cf. for example unlisted AQUILEIA [after 29]), but is almost completely unattested for aes . RIC lists bust type G7 l. only for one Constantine's coin minted in Arles [ARLES 35]. Here we have another bronze specimen with bust type G7 l., and also from Arles. The reverse is stylistically convincing, but a flat strike on both sides was especially destructive for the portrait. Coin could be listed after ARLES 271, but note that it could be also regarded as an imitative coin or even as a modern forgery.

NOTES

Weight 2.76 g. From Marc Schalley Collection; quoted after BEAST COINS.