This coin intersects a couple of recent topics. There have been a few Constantinopolis topics and one about "How poor does a coin need to be before it's not good enough for you?" Well this coin is in pretty rough condition but it is also fairly rare, so I was happy to pick it up. some more on the Constantinoplis type from my page- http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/comm/ The victory on a prow type alludes to the naval victory of Crispus and his subsequent capture of Byzantium (soon to be re-named Constantinople). Zosimus said that Constantine's fleet had 200 ships and Licinius had 350 ships. Zosimus might have exaggerated, but all sources agreed that Constantine's fleet was greatly outnumbered. What accounted for the surprise victory of Constantine's forces? Could it have been that Constantine had better trained sailors...maybe divine providence? A papyrus letter from circa A.D. 323, gives an answer. The letter is from a procurator who said that the government of Egypt had an urgent requirement of box and acanthus wood for repair of the men-at-war vessels in the arsenals of Memphis and Babylon. Egypt sent a total of 130 ships to serve in the navy of Licinius, but it seems that they were all old tubs! Constantinopolis Commemorative A.D. 337- 340 15mm 1.6gm CONSTANTINOPOLIS; laureate, helmeted, wearing imperial mantle, holding scepter. VICTORIA AVG; Victory stg. on prow, holding wreath and palm. in exergue R ✶ E RIC VIII Rome 31
Generally I want about VF or above/like to see the details. But some coins have specially appeal so there are exceptions to wants and rules for me.
Fascinating bit of history, didn't know about that letter! I did't look at all the reverses, is this the only one with a reverse legend?
Yes, rest of this type is anepigraphic. This one was issued after the death of Constantine and, though the regular type was also struck, Rome also issued this special type. Also notice instead of the usual shield and scepter, Victory has a wreath and palm branch. The companion piece to this is the VRBS ROMA BEATA; which differs from the normal type because of the addition of BEATA in the legend. an example from gb collection
I was not aware of this variety, but am intrigued to learn of it. The victory on prow image does seem to be related to the victory of Crispus, but I wonder about the addition of the reverse inscription. It seems rather late in the game for this type to suddenly add a reverse inscription after the old man had passed. Any further thoughts on that?
why would it be late in the game...this type and the VRBS ROMA BEATA were issued shortly after the death of Constantine.
Fantastic, types I am fond of. I did a write up on these here. Commemorative Series Mint Rome 336/337 AD Obvs: CONSTANTINOPOLIS, Laureate and helmeted bust left, wearing imperial mantle, holding reversed spear. Revs: VICTO RIA AVG, Victory standing left on prow, holding wreath and palm. ϵ below. AE 13x15mm, 0.76g Ref: RIC VIII 31 Commemorative Series Mint Rome 337 to 340 AD Obvs: VRBS ROMA BEATA, Roma helmeted, draped, and cuirassed left. Revs: She-wolf standing left, head right, suckling the twins. Above wreath between two stars, R * Q. AE 14x15mm, 1.22g Ref: RIC VIII 29 Commemorative Series Mint Constantinople 330 AD Obvs: POP ROMANVS, Draped bust of genius left, cornucopia over shoulder. Revs: Eight pointed star in wreath, CONSI. AE 14mm, 1.44g Ref: RIC VIII 22 Commemorative Series Mint Rome 348 AD Obvs: RO MA, Helmeted and mantled bust of Roma left. Revs: Emperor standing facing, head left, wearing military attire, holding spear and shield. P–R across field. AE 16mm, 2.38g Ref: RIC VIII 104 ex Victor Clark Commemorative Series Mint Rome 348 AD Obvs: CONSTANTINOPOLIS, Laureate and helmeted bust left, wearing imperial mantle, holding reversed spear. Revs: Pax standing left, holding branch and scepter. P–R across field. AE 15mm, 1.60g Ref: RIC VIII 106 Commemorative Series Mint Constantinople 336/337 AD Obvs: VRBS ROMA, Helmeted and mantled bust of Roma left. Revs: Two soldiers standing facing one another, each holding reversed spear and resting hand upon shield. Between, signum surmounted by banner with annulet. CONSϵ AE 15x16mm, 1.44g Ref: RIC VII 143 Commemorative Series Mint Heraclea 347/348 AD Obvs: CONSTANTINOPOLI, Laureate and helmeted bust left, wearing imperial mantle, holding reversed spear. Revs: VOT XX MVLT XXX, in wreath. SMHΓ AE 12x14mm, 1.02g Ref: RIC VIII 50 Commemorative Series Mint Constantinople 336/337 AD Obvs: CONSTANTINOPOLI, Laureate and helmeted bust left, wearing imperial mantle, holding reversed spear. Revs: Two soldiers standing facing one another, each holding reversed spear and resting hand upon shield. Between, signum surmounted by banner with annulet. CONSZ AE 13x15mm, 1.27g Ref: RIC VII 144 ex Warren Esty Commemorative Series Mint Heraclea 347/348 AD Obvs: VRBS ROMA, Helmeted and mantled bust of Roma left. Revs: VOT XX MVLT XXX, in wreath. SMHB AE 13x14mm, 1.41g Ref: RIC VIII 49 ex Warren Esty
