★ The unusual denomination of a 1 1/2 scripula ★

Constantius II, 337-361. 1 1/2 Scripula - 9 Siliquae (Gold, 16 mm, 1.68 g, 6 h), Antiochia, 347-355. CONSTAN-TIVS AVG Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantius II to right. Rev. VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM / SMAN Victory seated right on cuirass and shield, inscribing VOT / XXX in two lines on shield set on her left knee and supported by small cupid on the right, standing left. Depeyrot 8/5. RIC 97. Very rare. Perfectly centered and very well struck, a lovely coin. Very minor roughness on the reverse, otherwise, good extremely fine.

From a European collection, formed before 2005.

The unusual denomination of a 1 1/2 scripula was equivalent to 3/8 of a solidus or 9 siliquae. It was introduced by Constantine I, along with the semissis, which was half a solidus, and was sporadically minted until the late 4th century, but all known types are very rare. The introduction of the more practical tremissis, a one-third solidus piece equivalent to 8 siliquae, by Theodosius I around 383, eventually prevailed, establishing the three-part Roman gold currency system of solidus, semissis, and tremissis that remained in place well into Byzantine times. For another 1 1/2 scripula, see lot 202 below.