Got it from the pick-bin just because I liked the obverse head, but after much searching I still have no idea where it is from: 19 x 20 mm, 3.828 g some letters on the obverse may be XSIM On the reverse two angels are holding a shield on which the second row of letters are PA; below is a shield with a cross. Appreciate very much any info where I could start searching or what it is.
Wow, I didn't know those are sideways SSS - I thought they were snakes! Which is the official issue being imitated? I guess it is Type 1.5 VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP at http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Christian/ChristianTable1.html ?
That is the type. ("VLPP" for short.) Victor Clark's "barbs" page has a bunch of relevant examples: http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/barb2/ And for the prototypes, I'm guessing VLPP's from Siscia? (Hence the sideways S's, or retrograde N's??) http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/sis/
By the way, here's a favorite "barb" of mine, which happens to be of the VLPP variety. It's not in the best condition, but I always thought the style of the obverse die was a really lovely example of barbarous artwork and "calligraphy." (The reverse can actually be read, "IIICTORIAE PEEPINC..." or some such. The obv. is less faithful: "IIIOSO NSA CNVS" or something.) I could probably have done a better job when cleaning it (~20 years), and if I feel my skills improve, maybe I'll give another go some day.
Here's an example that I have with sideways S I sideways S; which is not a bad representation of SIS for Siscia
I think that at least on the reverse they got the VOT part wrong; it seems to be inverted and garbled, perhaps they didn't know what it meant. Also, on the obverse, you can see an X, which is not a letter in Constantine's name.
