Hello, I just received my first coin of the year. It's an error coin that I came across and just had to have it because the error is so obvious. Oddly enough the auction did not list it as an error; it was simply listed as “Rome Empire Licinius 308-324 Large Follis SPQR Optimo Principi High Grade,” and the description had the wrong mintmark. I paid $30 and believe it was a pretty good deal. Licinius I; Æ Follis; 313AD OBV: IMP LICINIVS PF AVG; Laureate, cuirassed bust r. REV: SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI; Three standards surmounted by hand, eagle and wreath. RS in ex. RIC VI ROME 349cS; Sear 15307. Also, it looks almost identical to the coin (below) in the Wildwinds database (let me know your opinion) which I think adds to the cool factor. Thanks, and happy collecting!
Double struck ancient coins are hardly rare enough to be called 'errors' as much as they are evidence of poor workmanship. 'Error grade' ancients need to be extreme before they pass the market value of a normal coin. The Tetricus below is an error.
here's a neat SPQR brockage I saw but didn't buy. here's a neat one with the eagle's wings spread. I'll leave this one here and see if anyone notices why it is different...it's probably too hard
Here is another Constantine like the one Victor showed with the Eagles wings open, from Rome. It has the same double strike issues as the OP coin.
Thanks for the info. I don't collect errors of any kind so I don't know the lingo or the subject at all. However I do see "errors" listed often and most aren't this obvious. I understand the minting process and saw this as a double strike. Regardless of terminology, it's a cool coin (to me) and I wanted to add it to my collection. Again, thank you for the feedback.
Constantine has a spiked chin on the second coin. The reverse of the third coin has two standards with banners. Am I right? BTW that third coin is a beauty.
ooops! Boo-Boo’s RR M Furius ERROR DOUBLE-STRIKE AR Den119 BC Janus Trophy Carnyx S 156 Cr 281-1 RR Clodius Pulcher T Mallius AR Den 111-110 BCE ERROR Flipover Double-Strike Roma Triga Cr 299-1b S 176
Saw the link to your website. Wow - awesome. Don't know why it never came up in my gazillion internet searches. My passion is Constantine I bronzes. Your site is now in my favorites. Thanks for all the hard work you put into it.
I absolutely adore error coins. Constantine the Great AE Follis 316 A.D., Rome Mint, 3rd Officina 3.72g, 19.0mm, 12H Obverse: IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG, Bust of Constantine I, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right Reverse: SOLI IN-VI-CT COM D N, Sol, radiate, chlamys draped across left shoulder, standing left, raising right hand and holding Victory on globe in left hand Exergue: ✱///RT Provenance: Ex. CNG Electronic Auction 456, Lot 751 (part of) Reference: RIC VII Rome 49