Quiz for you lrbc lovers: why did I buy this half-coin thingie? :)

[seth]

Here it is. It cost me a total of 12$.

[l.e]

A fragment of AE2 from Cherson mint, CONCORDIA AVG, minted in name of Theodosius II and Valentinian III...good price but: is Theodosius or Valentinian? 

[seth]

Considering that Valentinian III's are scarcer and the fact that you can see what looks like the vertical stick of the T on the obv. behind the bust, I'd go with Theodosius II.
What's more important, at least for me, is that this half-coin epitomizes the essence of 5th century coinage: rough, easy to overlook, but scarce and beautiful nonetheless

[Victor]

here's an almost complete example...though it did cost more than $12

Theodosius II
A.D. 437
19x20mm     3.5gm
DN THEODOSIVS PF AVG; Helmeted bust of Theodosius II facing right, holding spear and shield.
CONCOR-DIA AGV; Theodosius II and Valentinian III, nimbate, standing facing, holding spears and long cross.
In ex. CONS
RIC X Constantinople 460
 
Despite having a Constantinople mintmark, scholars believe that these coins were actually struck at the Crimean mint of Cherson.

[seth]

Looks like you've got yourself a 150$+ coin