Constantine II BEATA, interesting bust.

[seth]

What kind of bust do you think might be underneath that earthen fill?

[Genio popvli romani]

It is RIC.410, so I1 bust which is misdiscribed.
Should be described as Laureate, draped (part of paludamentum on left shoulder and sometimes visible on left arm) and cuirassed, holding Victory on globe in right hand and parazonium in left.

http://www.nummus-bible-database.com/monnaie-23671.htm

[Genio popvli romani]

Here is this bust (excepted globe in right and).

http://www.congiano.com/Extras/Recreation/Parazonium.html

statue with parazonium--

[seth]

I agree that would be most likely the case, but i secretly hope there's a spear over the left shoulder under the dirt, as the bust looks more like a half-length bust and there's something that looks like a tip of a spear behind his head (might more likely be where the laurel is tied, but just a closer inspection might reveal it).

[seth]

Here's also an interesting bust type that seems to be holding an eagle on globe (?) in the right hand and nothing in the left. It also shows the pointy knot on the laurel diadem that might be mistaken on an uncleaned example with a spear tip.

[Genio popvli romani]

I agree that would be most likely the case, but i secretly hope there's a spear over the left shoulder under the dirt, as the bust looks more like a half-length bust and there's something that looks like a tip of a spear behind his head (might more likely be where the laurel is tied, but just a closer inspection might reveal it).

I did not pay attention to this detail. Why not. But, there is always a "but", this type is recorded in RMBT (#161), but only known for 1st officina and expected for the 2nd officina. What is interesting, is that, there is no aegis on cuirass and the location of left hand is higher to hold the spear.


Anyway, your secret hope stills possible, only one solution to check what is under dirt....

[seth]

Once I get it. The odds are not really in favor of it, but I decided to go ahead and have a try. Also, if you look at the left arm, there isn't much there along the forearm up to the elbow to resemble a puggio/parazonium or a scepter.
The perks of uncleaneds

[Genio popvli romani]

and whish you an happy cleaning.

[seth]

Thank you, will be returning with pictures after I get it cleaned.

[seth]

Here is the coin. Although it has no spear, I still think it's an actually good coin. I particularly like the half-length bust and the gorgon head on the breast plate.
The cleaning was tough, the crud was sticky and mechanical cleaning was just not enough so I resorted to olive oil, which darkened the patina a bit.
Unfortunately that's the best camera I have w/ me so, please excuse the poor pictures.