Incredible LRB: Dated Consular Constantine I

A couple weeks ago, CGB auctioned one of the most impressive coins of Constantine that I have ever seen. So, while I usually try to contain my posts here at 1/day, today I'll make an exception to address this coin too:


CONSTANTINE AE19mm 3.18g Follis/Nummus (aXF/VF+, glossy green patina)

AV: CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG COS IIII; laureate, wearing decorated trabea, holding globe in r. hand bust l.


REV: SOLI INVIC-TO COMITI; Sol stg. l., chlamys across l. shoulder, raising r. hand, globe in l. hand. TF in left field, star in right field.


EXE: PLG, Lugdunum mint.


REF: unlisted in RIC VII for obv. legend and bust type; should be after RIC VII Lugdunum 37, listed only in Bastien Supplement 1 579a, 315AD.


This coin confirms another example, noted in NOT IN RIC. Extremely rare, 3rd known example.

 

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That is indeed incredible. It's so odd to see COS IIII on a coin of Constantine.

 

I don't know about it's rarity or anything like that, but that reverse is awesome.

 

The patina and the nice, elegant style of the engraving are just the icing on the cake, I guess

 

it's a great lookin' coin too

 

And here is the scan from Supplement 1 (courtesy of Mr. Victor Clark). Coin is 579a: