Here’s a new addition I picked up at the last Naville auction...I couldn’t resist this one. It looks like Constantine really let himself go (and also decided to grow out some horrible long skinny side burns) for this portrait. Here’s the seller’s description: Constantine I, 307-337 AE Follis Cyzicus circa 313, (22mm., 3.61g.) Laureate head r.: Rev. Jupiter standing l., holding Victory and eagle standing l. with wreath: in r. field, B and in exergue, SMK. RIC 3. According to Naville, this is apparently an official issue from the Cyzicus mint, but I’m not so sure...I originally thought it was a barbarous imitation, but it does look normal in hand. I’ve never seen any other portrait of his with a double-chin and sideburns like this. Maybe Constantine had a little too much fun in the summer of 313? Either way, I’m very happy to add Fat Constantine to my collection. Please share any coins of rulers who could stand to lose a few pounds, or any other “official” portraits that just don’t look quite right.
WOW. JUST WOW. I wonder what the die engraver was thinking that day! I looks like Constantine in a fat suit. Great coin. Thanks for sharing!
I do not know but I would like to see someone research: The coin dates from just a bit before the time that Licinius appointed Valens as his associate Augustus during his civil war against Constantine. The mint at Cyzicus had to make coins for both Augusti but, since Licinius controlled that region, perhaps their heart really was not into making Constantine look his best? At some point they stopped striking for Constantine until the war resulted in Valens' execution. Constantine did not execute Licinius at that time because he was married to Constantine's sister who begged for his 'second chance'. I do not have a ready reference listing which mints were under the control of which ruler at which time but it might be interesting to compare workmanship on coins of the two an see how the workmanship aligns with the local ruler 'pecking order'. I always liked this Constantine portrait from Alexandria which may not have been a fan either. Of course this could just be Alexandrian style. Compare to a Alexandrian Licinius. Who received the services of the more skilled cutters? I have not researched this matter to see if there is a pattern. It is just a guess that someone interested in the matter could explore.
Constantine and Jupiter were both more fit as seen in Heraclea in AD 313: Constantine I, AD 307-337, Heraklea mint, Æ Follis Obv: IMP C FL VAL CONSTANTINVS P F AVG, Laureate head right Rev: IOVI CONSER - VATORI AVGG, Є in right field, SMHT in exergue, Jupiter standing facing, head left, holding Victory on globe and sceptre; eagle at feet to left Size: 20mm, 3.54g Ref: RIC VII 5 (Heraklea)
that would've been politically incorrect and downright dangerous at the time ..but it's a wild and most likely very real situation ....can you even imagine what most all were feeling at any given moment of said moment of any political stability...
My apologies in advance as my example is very rough. He has lost some weight but still has some decent sideburns. Struck on a really crappy piece of metal. Delta in right field.
Nice coins everyone, thanks for sharing! @tenbobbit Great coin...it's a very similar portrait style to mine, and I think it helps show where the engravers went wrong on my coin. Looks like they were going for a bold jawline (like in yours), but didn't finish it off correctly, so it came out looking like a huge double-chin. Also, from looking at yours, I wonder if those awful sideburns are actually just part of the laurel/diadem? @dougsmit Very interesting idea, I wonder if that explains the lack of quality control that year? I think that it's probably more likely that the portrait on mine was just a result of laziness/apathy from the engravers, rather than politics, but it's definitely an interesting thought. @Clavdivs I love that Licinius portrait, that's a great one.
