Obolos 17

Constantius II, 337-361. Siliqua (Silver, 17 mm, 2.12 g, 12 h), Lugdunum, 360-361. D N CONSTAN-TIVS P F AVG Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantius II to right. Rev. VOTIS / XXX / MVLTIS / XXXX in four lines within laurel wreath; below, LVG. Cohen 342. RIC 216. Excellent centering and strike, portrait of good style, and lovely old toning. Tiny die crack on the obverse, otherwise, good very fine.

From an American collection, and from the East Harptree, Somerset, Hoard of 1887 (IRBCH 1424).

Discovered near the village of East Harptree in 1887, a hoard of 1496 late Roman silver coins, five silver ingots, and a Roman silver ring was first mentioned by Sir John Evans in the 1888 issue of the Numismatic Chronicle. The landowner, Mr. William Kettlewell, allowed the British Museum to acquire 25 of the most interesting coins and passed on the rest to his son, Colonel Kittlewell. A portion of the hoard on loan to a local church was stolen, but the balance, nearly 1200 pieces, was passed down through the family until it was eventually auctioned by Spink in September 2016. The coins all have a fine dark cabinet tone and, remarkably for this time period, show little evidence of clipping.