I recently acquired a new Constantine I. Not sure how often this may occur to other collectors, but I was pretty bored with my other one for a while & had contemplated getting a new coin featuring him. The one I have parted with I had since I first got into collecting. I parted with my other one to @nicholasz219. @Victor_Clark listed the one below & it became my new replacement. It just happened to really like this one so I got it. Constantine the Great (307 - 337 A.D.) Billon centenionalis O: CONSTAN-TINVS AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust right. R: BEATA TRANQVILLITAS (blessed tranquility), globe set on altar inscribed VO/TIS/XX, •STR and crescent in exergue. Treveri (Trier) mint, 323 A.D 3.32g 19mm RIC VII Trier 389
I posted a photo not long ago of my Constantine I VRBS ROMA coin, but here's another one of Constantine I that I haven't posted before: Constantine I, silvered AE Follis, Siscia Mint 321-24 AD , Obv. Laureate head right, CONSTAN-TINVS AVG/ Rev. D N CONSTANTINI MAX AVG, laurel wreath enclosing VOT/•/XX. Mintmark Γ SIS & sunburst [= Siscia mint, 3rd officina]. RIC VII 180, at p. 446. 20 mm., 3.38 g.
That is a nice replacement @Mat . Not bored, but I try to update my coin collection and replace coins with a better looking specimen. I sell the coins I don't need anymore. Some will disagree, but I like to do this, to challenge myself to find a better one for a good price and to continue to improve my collection. Since someone (I don't know who it was) posted a constantine I siliqua with the eyes upwards obverse in his last years toplist, I am looking for that type as well. And I also know it means I will sell the coins shown below, even though I really like them.
Very nice globe there on the reverse. Here is my latest Constantine: Constantine I (306-337 A.D.), AE follis 20mm 3.1 grams, 322 A.D. Obverse: CONSTANTINVS AVG, Laurel wreathed bare bust right Reverse: DN CONSTANTINI MAX AVG, Wreath inscribed with VOT XX, letters P-AR in exergue, with star Mint: Arles Reference: RIC VII 252
Beautiful silvering and strike on that one @Mat ... Here are my two Constantine examples... Obv: CONSTANTINVS AVG, laureate head right. Rev: D N CONSTANTINI MAX AVG, VOT XX within wreath Mintmark: Epsilon SIS sunburst RIC VII Siscia, 180. Struck A.D. 319 19mm IMP CONSTAN-TINVS AVG -- high crested helmet, cuir., spear across r. shoulder, shield on left arm VICT• LAETAE PRINC PERP -- two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR on altar inscribed with I In ex. •ASIS•
@DonnaML, love the "bug eye" on that profile! I think most of us cannot relate to the "even though I really like them" part of this sentiment. But isn't that the beauty of this hobby...we are custodians of these fabulous coins & each collector has his/her own uniqueness. Nice specimens, especially the campgate.
I used to have a number coins of Constantine I at one time I had about 210. Now much less. Kept this one. Actually at the time no one loved it and I bought it as an unsold. Constantine I As Follis Siscia mint 318-319 A.D. Obv. Helmeted bust left carrying spear and shield adorned with a horseman. Rv. Two Victories holding shield over altar RIC 56 var 2.85 grms 19 mm
This one came in a mixed lot from an old collection and it is toned accordingly. Not knowing too much yet about Constantine I(era) coins, I'm not sure how common of a type it is. However, it looks to be well struck/centered and still retains sharp details. It came without any attribution, so it was an introductory educational foray in learning about the different mint mark abbr. in exergue on these. SMAN(Γ) representing Antioch. Apologies for the quality of the picture. It was taken with a cellphone and a flash. The coin in hand has a much browner shade to it. Constantine I, The Great, 307 - 337 AD AE Follis Antioch Obverse: CONSTANTI-NVS MAX AVG, Rose diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantine right. Reverse: GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS, Two soldiers standing side by side holding spears and shields, two standards between them, SMAN(Gamma) in exergue. Reference: RIC VII, 86
Mat, Nice score on your mint state Constantine I nummus ! I scored a nice looking example of the same type 3 years ago, however, my coin has a dark patina.
For the record we might note that these come for other family members from multiple mints and with some variations in the spelling of Tranquillitas. Crispus Arles Constantine II TRA***NQLITAS London as above but radiate bust Constantine I Trier but with Consular bust
My very first coin was a Constantine I (posted elsewhere). Here is my current favourite, I think its due to the desert patina and he looks quite young here:-
I have a Trier RIC VII 369, similar reverse but different obverse. The coin you have is beautiful - Congrats!
Just had to post this one after Randy's: It looks like a double die match, which I guess would not be all that surprising. Unknown mint, 4th century A.D. Barbarous imitation of Constantine the Great, VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP reverse type. Obv: Gibberish - Bust, left, in high-crested helmet, spear over right shoulder, shield over left. Rev: Gibberish - Two Victories, facing each other, holding inscribed shield over altar. 17 mm, 2.1 g.