Came across this coin yesterday and in all my years dealing with ancients have never seen it, or knew it existed; and that's pretty unusual considering it's in my collecting wheelhouse. Don't know why but there's something about the simplicity of the design that I really like. Commemorative AR Half Siliqua struck under Constantine I (circa 330 AD); Constantinople mint. 17mm, 1.4gms Ox: Eight-rayed star Rx: Laurel wreath with central jewel As there's obviously no reference to Constantine on the coin I'm just curious as to how they knew to attribute it to him. Anyone else find a coin from a period you collect that you never knew existed?
You got me on that question. Perhaps the style of the wreath? Maybe the star refers to what Constantine saw in the sky before the Battle of Milvian Bridge? Just my guesses. I don't really recall seeing this type either but if I remember correctly, I might have seen it or something similar recently.
There are a few good articles on this type, start with Bendall- Simon Bendall, Some comments on the anonymous silver coinage of the fourth to sixth centuries A.D. Revue Numismatique 158, 2002, 139-159. and a newer article by Lars Ramskold "Coins and Medallions Struck for the Inauguration of Constantinopolis 11 May 330."
Just curious, are those articles available on the internet. I haven't searched yet so if it's just a Google away I apologize.
Here's the Bendall article- http://www.constantinethegreatcoins...nage of the fourth to sixth centuries A.D.pdf and the Ramskold article https://www.academia.edu/1469456/Co...e_Inauguration_of_Constantinopolis_11_May_330
Thanks @Victor_Clark also, is that your website, because I want to thank you for creating and maintaining it!
Well, here's a big THANK YOU for putting it together and keeping it up. I use it a lot and am very thankful for all the work you've put into it.
Thank you, I am always making additions I added three coins today- a rough but rare Constantine I VIRTVTI EXERCITVS from Thessalonica http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/asst3/VIRTVTI_Thess38.JPG a Crispus BEATA from Trier with Medusa on shield http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/Rulers/Crispus/Trier372_medusaB.JPG and a Constans FEL TEMP fallen horseman from Arles, not in RIC or Ferrando http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/Rulers/Constans/Ferrandocf1142.JPG
I have seen it before, though I have never been able to afford one. @SIliquae May have some knowledge about these, he is a Siliquae God!
