Between 311-312 AD, the London mint of Constantine produced a series of coins with the -/*/PLN mintmark, with a rather staggering 10 different reverse types and many bust type varieties. A handful of designs were for Maximinus and Licinius, but the vast majority were for Constantine himself. There are a handful of common types, and then many many coins known from between 1 and 8 or so examples, commonly not represented at all in the major hoards considered in LMCC. Either late in 311 or early in 312 Constantine visited Britannia to recruit soldiers for his upcoming battle at the Milvian Bridge against Maxentius, a battle that would bring the entire 'Western' Empire under his control. For the event, London struck coin on a long familiar theme to celebrate, the reverse showing Constantine on horseback, holding a spear and raising a hand in salute, while the horse paws at a captive sitting in front. These coins have six varieties of obverse legend, and four varieties of reverse legend, and (if I counted correctly) seven bust varieties. I have been after one all year, and narrowly missed out on a rougher coin with a SPES REIPVBL legend in a group lot when the bidding rocketed in the last minute. In general, when they appear, the prices of these coins are very prohibitive, and one is currently acting as a shop window piece on ebay UK for £330. Last week I spotted this coin on ebay with an unfortunate bit of corrosion over Constantine's face, and no helpful note in the description regarding what the type was. Thankfully I looked. LMCC 7.01.021, RIC London 143 CONSTANTINVS P AVG - Laureate and cuirassed bust right ADVENTVS AVG N - Emperor riding left, right hand raised, left holding up spear, on horse pawing seated captive to left -/*/PLN - London 311-312 AD 3.6g, 21.5mm While not the perfect example due to the corrosion to poor Constantine's face, my feeling is that I already have plenty of Constantine coins from London without problems, and if I wish to gaze upon his face, I can easily do so with them. The reverse is, in my opinion, superb, and one of the better I've seen for the type. Also I'd like to point out the interesting design of the triangular shaped band on Constantine's right shoulder, showing a wavy line interspersed with studs. This sort of design appears from time to time on London dies, but is far from consistent. I think that had the ebay advertisement been better designed, I would have been outbid quickly, but fortune was on my side and I ended up spending half my possible budget, so a good ending. Please feel free to share anything you like, maybe adventus types, coins you purchased for the reverse, or anything you feel is appropriate.
A fine coin and a very informative write-up. I didn't know about this type – thanks for making me learn something new! My best Constantine from London is far more common: Constantine the Great, Roman Empire, AE2, 316 AD, London mint. Obv: CONSTANTINVS P AVG; bust of Constantine I, laureate, cuirassed, r. Rev: SOLI INVICTO COMITI; Sol standing l., raising r. hand and holding up globe in l. hand; in fields, S–P; in exergue, MSL. 20.5mm, 3.06g. Ref: RIC VII Londinium 76
This wavy line with dots is actually a fairly common design element on LRB's. Below are a few examples-- on the base of the campgate middle part of the helmet on the galley on the cuirass on shoulder perimeter of shield
@Victor_Clark Interesting, thanks. I guess it must have been a common pattern to add some flair or fill space. I'll certainly be on the look out for more examples.