This is not a new acquisition, but I thought I would post it because I have just added it to my blog. I had to have this coin because of the Constantiniana Dafne reverse. Much has written about this reverse type and I will not rehash it all here. However, I do want to mention a couple of things. First, there is some disagreement as to the meaning of the reverse inscription. Some have said it refers to a fort named Dafne, others have pointed out that this fort was already destroyed when this coin was minted. Since this coin was minted after Constantine's defeat of Licinius, it is possible this coin refers to that victory. The next interesting item is the figure of victory on the reverse. Victory changed from a pagan representation into the christian angel. I would argue that at this time in history both pagans and Christians would recognize the importance of this figure. Another interesting aspect of this coin in particular is the provenance. It was part of a famous collection, the Dattari collection. Dattari is known for assembling a complete collection of Egyptian tetradrachms of Alexandria. He also collected other coins, including this one. On top of all that, it is just a very lovely coin. Constantine I. Follis. Constantinople (328-9) (19.6 mm 2.60 g) Obv: CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG, rosette-diademed, draped bust right Rev: CONSTANTINIANA DAFNE, Victory seated left on cippus, looking right, holding palm branch in each hand, trophy in background, captive seated left at foot. Officina letter B in left field. Mintmark CONS star. RIC VII 38 B (R4). EF-/EF. Very scarce. Ex: Dattari Collection Jesus Vico Auction 147 March 9, 2017 Please post your coins of Constantine.
The surfaces do not look right for a Dattari coin so I assume it was cleaned in the meanwhile. It is still a nice example.
All three examples are terrific!! I LOVE the portrait on Doug's coin----far more 'life-like'! I have a nice one I grabbed off a FAC auction:
It is my photo. The coins is actually toned quite nicely. I tried a dozen or more times to capture this but it just turned out almost silvery looking instead of the actual rich and toned brown. Here is the auction photo which captures the colour much better imho.
Constantine: RI Constantine I Folles 306-337 CE Captives VOTA Banner RI Constantine I AVG Follis Votive XX seated captives 2.69g 18mm RIC VII 191 London Thank you @jamesicus Constantine's Mother: RI Helena mother Constantine AE Follis Securitas Nicomedia mint 325-326 CE 19mm 3.3g RIC-95 Sear 16619 Fausta as a Damnatio Memoriae: RI Fausta 325-326 CE AE3 Spes stdg 2 infants SMHA 20mm 3.48g scratch over eye damnatio memoriae by Constantine
What is the visual difference between a Victory and and angel? Victory is a female and angles are male. How can you tell them apart? Some authors (e.g. Whitting, Byzantine Coins) say the first "Angel" was on this type: a solidus of Justin I (518-527). Note that the breasts of Victory are emphasized by a strap just under them, whereas this angel lacks that. On the OP coin one breast is evident, as is the strap. Justin minted solidi with the same legend with Victory (I don't have one to show) where the difference is clear, if minor. So, the Dafne type has Victory and should not be connected with a transition into a Christian angel. That change was 200 years later.
Here's my most recent Constantine: Constantine I, AD 306-337 Æ Follis, 18mm, 2.3g, 6h; ; Trier mint, AD 332-333. Obv.: CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG; rosette-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right. Rev.: GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS; two soldiers holding spears and shields with two standards between them with thin pointed banners In Ex.: TR•S
