https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/05/12/may-11-330-byzantium/ In honor of that event, please share your Constantines or Constantinopolis coins. I'll get it started... Vota XX, Constantine I (the Great) as evidenced by the MAX AVG on the reverse...
And a couple of uncertified Constantine I folles . Constantine I as Caesar, AD 306-309, (struck summer of 307), Trier Mint. AE Follis: 29 mm, 8.73 gm, 6 h. Ex CNG Inventory 774824, July 2006 Constantine I, London Mint, AD 307-310. AE Follis: 6.57 gm, 28 mm, 8 h. Ex Italo Vecchi Collection
Here's my example from the day of its founding: "On 11 May 330 AD, after almost six years of transformation from the ancient city of Byzantium, Constantine dedicated Constantinople as the new eastern capital of the Roman Empire. Forty days of festivities culminated with a final dedication ceremony in the newly-enlarged Hippodrome. To commemorate the dedication, silver five-siliquae multiples were struck which were presented to the new city's elite in the emperor's presence. They were minted with two reverse types: the well-known seated Constantinopolis, struck at six different officinae, and the very rare seated Roma, struck only at officina S. Their anepigraphic obverse with the large head of Constantine right and the vertical placement of the reverse legend on either side of the figure are reminiscent of Hellenistic royal tetradrachms." (Coin writeup/marketing blurb stolen from CNG)
Constantine I Ae Follis As Filius Augustus 308-310 AD Alexandria Obv. Head right laureate Rv Genius standing left pouring liquor out of patera. RIC 100b 6.18 grms 23 mm This coin is in response to the breakdown in the tetrarchic system instituted by Diocletian. After the death of Constantius I and the election of Constantine as Augustus by the soldiers in the western part of the empire the title of FIL AVG was created by Galerius in an effort to paper over the stresses now building up within the system but also in an effort to maintain his authority over the Tetrarchy. It did not work. Constantine ignored it and Diai chafed under it. Eventually it was abandoned.
A.J., That's a real treasure ! It looks like a gem mint state medallion . What is the weight & diameter ?
T.C., That follis is a real beauty ! I'm surprised it was minted in Alexandria. How many other mints struck this type ?
Obv: CONSTANTINVS AVG, laureate head right. Rev: D N CONSTANTINI MAX AVG, VOT XX within wreath Mintmark: Epsilon SIS sunburst Struck A.D. 319 19mm, 3.32gr 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• City Commemoratives
Here are three coins of Constantine, minted only at Constantinople, in anticipation of the new capital: Constantinople mint, A.D. 327 RIC 16 Obv: CONSTANTI-NVS MAX AVG Rev: GLORIA - EXERCITVS - Soldier standing left, looking right, holding reversed spear and resting hand on shield CONS in exergue; Γ in left field 19 mm, 3.3 g. Constantinople mint, A.D. 327 RIC 18 Obv: CONSTANTI-NVS MAX AVG Rev: LIBERT-A-S PVBLICA - Victory on galley, wreaths in both hands CONS in exergue; B in left field 18 x 20 mm, 2.9 g. Constantinople mint, A.D. 327-328 RIC 23 Obv: CONSTANTI-NVS MAX AVG Rev: GLORIA RO-MANORVM - Roma seated on shield, with scepter, holding Victory on globe CONS in exergue; A in left field 20 mm, 3.0 g.