I have been trying to hunt down the correct attribution to this one and am having a heck of a time. I Think that it is Heraclea Ric Vlll And that is just by the portrait. The reverse is too weak and doesn't have the MM. Any Ideas? Commemorative issue of Constantine The Great. 347 to 340. Obv. Veiled Constantine to the right, Rev. Constantine riding a Quadriga reaching for the "Hand of God" Commemorating Constantine's conversion to Christianity and giving the people of the Roman Empire religious freedom!
The conversion of Constantine actually curtailed religious freedom as there was only one religion that was favored and he began passing regulations against the other religions. During the pagan period, you could worship however or whoever, as long as you respected the Imperial rules-- like the deity of the Emperor; which was a tough pill for some to swallow. Sorry, but I can't make out the mintmark
Ok, I'm really using my imagination here, but... Could it possibly be CONS for Constantinople? Forgive my rough image. Hey, I am no authority on anything, just thought I could see the top of 2 rounded letters and maybe the top of an N? And that would only work with CON... Hey, it's good for a laugh anyway.
Most begin with SMA. But not all. See... Divus Constantine I (died AD 337). Constantinople. AE Follis (15.6 mm. 1.5 g.) Obv: DV CONSTANTINVS P T AVGG. Veiled and draped bust to right. Rev: Emperor, veiled, in quadriga to right; Manus Dei reaching down from above, CONS in exergue. RIC 37
You're welcome! It is truly beautiful, but... it isn't mine. I found it on ACS, having sold at auction in Feb. 2025 for just 34 Euro: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=14108956 My only example of this reverse is from Alexandria. The exergue itself is not so great, but is clear enough to read and attribute. Also, the obverse has some light cleaning marks, but it was the combination of nicely dark dark patina, and the well-struck reverse central image that led me to buy it from Sayles & Lavender way back in 2010. Constantine I posthumous – struck by Constantius II Alexandria, 337-340, AE4, Nummus Obv.: DV CONSTANTINVS P F AVGG; veiled bust, right Rev.: Deified Constantine, veiled, togate, driving galloping quadriga, r. Manus Dei (Hand of God) above; ex.: SMALΓ Weight: 2.15 gr. Diam.: 15 mm. Attrib.: RIC VIII 12. LRBC 1454. And kudos to @Denis Richard for the super-duper photography! (Be sure to click on the image to see the coin up-close-and-personal.)
