I found this coin on Ebay. The condition is not super, but the price was much lower than what I have seen in recent auctions. CONSTANTINVS AVG // DN CONSTANTINI MAX AVG -- VOT XX Year: 320 Mint: ST Ticinum The special feature here is the radiate crown. The radiate crown was common in the 3rd century, but quickly fell out of use during Constantine's reign. This is one of only very few bronze types for Constantine that shows the radiate crown. Maybe as a prospective Christian, Constantine didn't like the association with Sol Invictus. If there are other radiate Constantine's out there, I would like to see them.
this Ticinumn issue is not that rare, merely scarce here's one I have Constantine I A.D. 320 18x20mm 2.7g CONSTAN-TINVS AVG; radiate head right. DN CONSTANTINI MAX AVG laurel wreath enclosing VOT XX with ✶ in center. in ex. ST RIC VII Ticinum 131 Ex-Peter Weiß if you want a common type, the IOVI coinage issued by Licinius at half the value of the regular nummus is pretty easy to get-- Constantine I A.D. 321-324 21x20mm IMP C FL VAL CONSTANTINVS P F AVG; bust radiate, draped, cuir. IOVI CONS-ERVATORI; Jupiter stg. l., chlamys across l. shoulder, leaning on sceptre with eagle, Victory on globe in right hand; eagle holding wreath to left; to right, captive on ground. in exergue SMNB RIC VII Nicomedia 43 and a type that is a bit rarer, one of the fractional coins (2/3 of a nummus) Constantine I A.D. 312- 313 19x20mm 3.3g FL VAL CONSTANTINVS AVG; radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right seen from the rear. VIRT EXE-RCIT GALL; Virtus standing left, looking right, right leaning on spear, left holding parazonium; In left field X, in right field VI. In exergue RT RIC VI Rome 360 my summary of Wigg's article-- http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/fractions/ and here's a BEATA from London I saw for sale RIC VII London 207 20mm 3.0g one I sold Constantine I A.D. 306- 307 Radiate fraction 19x21mm 2.2g FL VAL CONSTANTINVS NOB CAES; radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. CONCORDIA MILITVM; Prince standing right in military dress, receiving Victory on globe from Jupiter l. leaning on scepter; A in center. In ex. ALE RIC VI Alexandria 85
Thanks a lot for the information on radiate busts of Constantine. It looks like the radiate crown survived a bit longer at certain mints, including Pavia (Ticinum), Rome and particularly London. To expand the thread a bit, here is a recent purchase of a nice left-facing bust of Constantine II. CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C // CAESARVM NOSTRORVM -- VOT . X -- Q*AR. Mint: Arles Year: 322-323
