The Gates are Closed

Crispus 317-326 CE
AE Folles, Trier mint

Not sure if this is a GATE or a urinal...

 

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Hmmm... I reckon WV had none of them...

 

...or been using the ladies room for a good long time. Only now becoming fashionable. Good on ya Bing.

 

ROFL!!!

 

that's exactly what i was thinking...on the gate doors...and the OP coin!

here's my recent ugly die break constantine i...

 

I didn't know there was a difference.

 

Not sure, but it does make sense. When I first saw them I thought it was kind of strange in that the closed door is not a very welcoming design, and I wouldn't think that's what Rome would want to convey. Also, if you notice the reverse designs are extremely similar with the same legend break (VIRTV - SAVGG), gate design, door kind of leaning a little one way or the other (with three sections in each half and dots in each section) and most telling the letter formation (sweeping S's, open V's and A's). I believe these were all done by the same engraver.

 

Now that I think about it you have three similar pieces from Rome, perhaps all done by the same engraver, and all produced in far less quantities then other issues of the time. Is it possible these were only struck on the occasion of some particular event symbolic of the closed door?