quick question to the resident ancients experts: i have an AE3/4 of constantine that i've identified as Van Meter p. 292, no. 93 (obv. CONSTANTINVSMAXAVG rev. GLORIA EXERCITVS, two soldiers w/ two legionary standards). it's from thessalonica: SMTSA in ex. wildwinds lists two RIC types that seem nearly identical to me. can anyone tell me how they're different, and how i can determine which one applies to my coin? seems like a fine point, but an important one, as they were minted during different periods. thanks, V. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/constantine/i.html Thessalonica RIC VII 183 Constantine I AE3. 330-333 AD. CONSTAN-TINVS MAX AVG, rosette-diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right / GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS, two soldiers standing front, heads turned inward at two standards between them, each holds a spear, SMTSA in ex. Thessalonica RIC VII 198 Constantine the Great AE3. AD 335-336. CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG, rosette-diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right / GLORIA EXERCITVS, two soldiers standing front, heads turned inward at two standards between them, each holding a spear, SMTSA in ex.
besides the difference in faces, the only difference I can see by looking is the ends of the wreath at the back of the head. 183 they are together and in the 198 pics they are noticeably apart
hmm. i'm not sure -- the diadem ties seem to vary pretty widely from pic to pic. but i'm stumped. maybe you're on to something.
According to the footnotes in RIC 183 has 3-4 badges and 198 has 3-7 badges. Also the legend break on the reverse is different, 183 has EXERC-ITVS and 198 has EXER-CITVS
