While reviewing the old scans of coins that I first purchased without complete attribution, I noticed this follis of Constantine which is rated R5 and extremely rare. It has Sol on reverse and is listed as Ric VII Lyons 52. PLG in exergue, with A-S across fields. Hope you can assist me in this puzzle to find out if I'm a looser.
This is one you need to ask someone better schooled in these than I. RIC 52 is R5. RIC 53 is exactly the same coin except the bust is cuirassed rather than 52's draped and cuirassed. RIC 53 is C2. Does your have the drapery? I don't see drapery. What I see is a nice looking coin. I do not own a draped and cuirassed Lyons coin to show but here is a Rome example. You see the drapery but the shoulder epaulet (4 ridges joined by an arc over) of the cuirass sticks out under the folds. Can you find someone who would appreciate the difference AND believe yours is the R5 version? How much extra would you pay for coin special by this difference even if yours had it? If anyone can find a certain RIC 52, please post it here so we all can learn.
Since we opened this thread on rarity issues, I'd like to post another coin rated R4. But this time I'm pretty sure the coin is indeed rare. It's a follis of Constantine the Second, head left. The reverse shows Jupiter holding Victoria on a globe, and a scepter with the other hand. There's also a palm branch. The right field has dot over B, I suppose. SMN in exergue , being struck in Nicomedia. RIC VII- 35. Thanks for your kind comments.
Here is one I have posted before. It is an R5. Constantine Billon follis, RIC VII Rome 46 (R5), SRCV IV 16126, Cohen VII -, F, 1st officina, Rome mint, 3.512 grams, 20.1 mm, die axis 0o, 316 A.D.; obverse IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse SOLI INVICTO COMITI D N, Sol standing left, radiate, nude but for chlamys over shoulders, raising right hand commanding the sun to rise, globe in left, star left, crescent right, R P in exergue
