mc9 Posted September 10 · Member Share Posted September 10 Does anyone have an idea why the ( P ) of the Chi-Rho sign is in retrograde on this coin of Aelia Flacilla? obv : AEL FLAC - CILLA AVG rev : SALUS REI - PVBLICA AD 383 - 387; mint : SISCIA ( SISC.); 11,55 mm; 1,26 gr Thanks. mc9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limes Posted September 10 · Supporter Share Posted September 10 Hi there, Could be a simple error. I found other coins with the P in retrograde too. Example: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=9065529 The reverse die design seems overall to be consistent. But I also found this one: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=4766480 No idea what happened here, most of the shield is left out of the design. Perhaps the engraver found it he ran out of space... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted September 10 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted September 10 Very interesting variant. I suppose it could be a blundered engraving job 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hrefn Posted September 10 · Supporter Share Posted September 10 You may find this previous post of interest. The reversed chi-rho was discussed briefly here. I do not think it is always an engraver’s error. Or, to be more precise, it was not perceived as an error. Even in modern times, the reversal is sometimes intended. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heliodromus Posted September 10 · Member Share Posted September 10 These retrograde Chi-Rhos, and Tau-Rhos, are relatively common - we also see them on Constantius's Fel Temp banners for example. As Hrefn suggests, we should probably take it as a clue as to how these symbols were perceived, at least by some - as wholistic symbols rather than monograms with a preferred viewer-based orientation. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted September 10 · Supporter Share Posted September 10 28 minutes ago, Hrefn said: You may find this previous post of interest. The reversed chi-rho was discussed briefly here. I do not think it is always an engraver’s error. Or, to be more precise, it was not perceived as an error. Even in modern times, the reversal is sometimes intended. I've always though Tolkien's monogram hard to beat. 😉 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heliodromus Posted September 10 · Member Share Posted September 10 Here's one of mine: 4 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIF Posted September 10 · Supporter Share Posted September 10 (edited) 1 hour ago, Hrefn said: Looks like it belongs on a cash coin 😆 Edited September 10 by TIF 1 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc9 Posted September 10 · Member Author Share Posted September 10 @Limes, @Ancient Coin Hunter, @Hrefn, @Heliodromus, @CPK and @TIF: Thank you all for your answers, my curiosity has been answered. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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