I recently scored a very common but attractive Constantine the Great billon "Camp Gate" centenionalis from the Trier Mint. This coin type is among the most common of all issues of Constantine, never the less it was bargain priced (less than the cost of encapsulation) & has a stern, determined image of Constantine. The coin has striking weakness on the reverse & a flan crack. These smaller size nummi have a different subject matter on the reverse, no longer do we see pagan gods represented as on the coin below it, also from the Trier Mint. Constantine I, AD 307-337 (struck 327-328), Trier Mint, 2nd Officina, Billon Centenionalis: 3.03 gm, 20 mm, 6 h. Obverse inscription: CONSTANTINVS AVG. Reverse inscription: PROVIDENTIAE AVGG S T R E. Constantine I, AD 307-337 (struck 307-308), Trier Mint, 1st Officina, Billon Nummus: 6.65 gm, 26 mm, 6h. Reverse: Mars with spear & shield. RIC VI, 776, Sear 16008.
That's a beautiful LRB! In my opinion, the portait style of the late Roman Trier mint is exceptionally attractive and sometimes even artistic: Constantine I, Roman Empire, AE 3, 326 AD, Trier mint. Obv: CONSTANTINVS AVG; bust of Constantine, laureate, r. Rev: PROVIDENTIAE AVGG; "campgate" with two turrets, star above; in exergue, PTR-crescent. 19mm, 3.30g. Ref: RIC VII Trier 475. Constantine II Iunior, Roman Empire, AE3, 326AD, Trier. Obv: CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C, bust of Constantine II, laureate, draped, cuirassed, l. Rev: PROVIDENTIAE CAESS, camp gate with two turrets, star above; in exergue, STR crescent. 19mm, 3.01g. Ref: RIC VII Treveri 479. Constans, Roman Empire, AE3/4, 347–348 AD, Trier mint. Obv: CONSTANS P F AVG; bust of Constans, rosette-diademed, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: VICTORIAE DD AVGGQ NN; two Victories, winged, draped, standing front, facing each other, each holding wreath in r. hand and palm in l. hand; between them, star; in exergue, TRS. 15.5mm, 1.38g. Ref: RIC VIII Treveri 188.
Very nice Al. I agree that the portraits from Trier were often a step up from many of the other mints at that time. Here’s mine from Trier: Constantine I, AE Follis, Treveri, 326. CONSTAN-TINVS AVG Laureate head of Constantine I to right. Rev. PROVIDENTIAE AVGG / PTR(pellet-in-crescent) “Campgate” with two turrets and no doors; above, star. RIC 475.
Super coin, @Al Kowsky ! CAMPGATE Siscia here RI Constantine I CE 306-337 Æ Follis 19mm 3.2g Siscia CE 326-7 AVG Laureate R - PROVIDENTIAE AVGG Camp gate 2 turrets no door star RIC 200
Thanks to all CT members for posting many great LRB coins from the Trier & other mints. These fascinating little coins can form a wonderful collection from an era of great historical importance that won't send a collector to the "poor house". Attached below are a couple more coins of Constantine I that I dug up from my archives. The top coin is a scarce early issue from Trier.
TRIER RI Valentinian II AD 375-392 AR Siliqua 18mm 1.8g Trier Victory wreath palm RIC IX 43 Rome VRBS ROMA commem 330-331 CE Æ reduced centenionalis, 16mm, 2.5g, 12h; Trier mint, CE 330-331 She-wolf RIC VII 529 Left RI commem AE Follis CONSTAN-TINOPOLIS Victory Prow Shield RIC VII Trier 543 Left
Should we mention that Trier was a popular mint with those who made barbarous copies. Some are only distinguishable if the style is off while others like the second wolfie below has other 'distinctive' features. I believe the first to be an official coin but I look harder at Trier coins just because there are a lot of contemporary copies.
That's interesting info I wasn't aware of , but I really shouldn't be surprised. The output of the Trier Mint was so prolific, especially with the small coins weighing less than 3.0 gm. Apparently these tiny coins had enough buying power worthy enough to counterfeit .
That's a stellar coin that should never have been encapsulated! I'm very fond of this black'n'tan Constantine campgate from Nikomedia: Keep your eyes peeled for Constantinople mint Constantine campgates, which are not easy to find. This one is from the very first issue at that important new mint:
S.A., Those are both outstanding coins for their artistic aesthetics . The Nicomedia coin not only for the patina, but also for the attractive portrait with the diadem of 3 strands of pearls. The Constantinople coin is exceptional for the fine portrait & the engraving on the reverse. The scaled-down version of the finely engraved camp gate creates negative area giving greater importance to the inscription. The lettering on this coin is sensational , especially considering the size of the coin. The encapsulation of my coin doesn't bother me, if anything it makes handling the coin easier. I've stated my feelings about slabbed coins many times on this website & won't go into that again .
Thanks for the nice compliments! I just meant it was rather a waste of money for someone else since you bought the coin for less than the slabbing cost. I don't hold your slabs against you!
This thread led be to quickly find this example today in an unsorted 'bargain' bin. The face is not so good, but the camp gate stood out a mile away. This example is also from Trier, and the details are a bit different than Al's at the top. Also had a nice Constantine RIC 370, not in the bargain bin, but still a decent deal. Two standing soldiers with spear and shields with standards. Details are sharper than my phone camera pics up. Need to learn how to take better photos of coins.
