Late Roman Bronze Coins
Coin talk => Late Roman Bronze coins => Topic started by: Victor on December 15, 2014, 04:56:40 PM
On many LRB's, you will see depictions of the boots of the soldiers that clearly look like they are studded. Some of these engravers really took some time and put in the extra effort, but when you see these small touches on otherwise common coins, it really makes you appreciate them even more.
Below is a nice example from Valens.
Here's a FEL TEMP with the studded boots. You can also clearly make out the wrapped leggings of the captives.
Constantius II
A.D. 348-351
20mm 4.6gm
D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG; diademed, draped & cuirassed bust left, holding globe.
FEL TEMP-REPARATIO, Emperor bare headed and in military dress standing left, holding labarum in his right hand, resting left hand on shield. Two bound captives standing and leaning to the left before him.
In ex. SMNB
RIC VIII Nicomedia 67
I was thinking about the earliest numismatic depiction of studded boots on an LRB. The VIRTVS MILITVM tetrarchic argentii sometimes seem to depict these boots, but the earliest LRB I can remember is from Constantine I and shows Mars wearing this type of boot with tassels/ ties on the top.
Constantine I
AD 309-10
CONSTANTINVS P F AVG; Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed, seen from rear.
MARTI CONSERVATORI; Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Mars, right
In ex. PLG
RIC VI Lyons 304
Certainly not early but I am fond of this Rome mint Magnentius with boots. It has been suggested to me that the long things at the top might be arms on animal furs used to tie on warm 'socks' but I would like to hear other suggestions. Many of the studded looking boot coins I have seen have these.
Quote from: dougsmit on March 21, 2016, 07:29:51 PM
It has been suggested to me that the long things at the top might be arms on animal furs used to tie on warm 'socks' but I would like to hear other suggestions.
I have always called them tassels and figured that they were most likely used to tie up the boots