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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;corvusconstantius, post: 8212171, member: 123797&quot;]My latest purchase from CGB website, which had a 20% off compared to the MA-Shops listing. It was around £50. I wanted a Constantine Eyes to Heaven portrait alongside the cryptic Dafne reverse and had been looking for some time. Many of the listings seemed bizarrely expensive, probably owing to Eusebius writing about the coins, and their Christian significance. </p><p><br /></p><p>Speaking of Christian significance, I do enjoy the interpretation that Dafne is turning away from the pagan symbol of victory The Laurel towards the Christian symbol of victory, the Palm (in line with the Triumphal Entry scene in the Bible). There is also a mythological aspect wherein Dafne resisted the advances of Apollo, much like Constantine appeared to resist the initial allure of Solar divinities. Whether this is the true reason for the coins reverse, I have no idea, but I choose to subscribe to it.</p><p><br /></p><p>The particulars of this portrait is my favourite aspect. Many of the &quot;Eyes to Heaven&quot; busts appear unnatural and almost cartoonish due to the elongated neck and jutting jawline. This one appears more subtle, and because of the orientation of the photo (aligned with Constantine&#039;s face, rather than neck), you can almost miss the fact that it is an Eyes to Heaven bust. I am not sure if this subtle bust is simply one mint workers style, or whether this is an early version that was deemed too subtle and lifelike, or maybe a later version after the others were deemed too garish.</p><p><br /></p><p>It does have surface problems, and I am not knowledgeable enough to comment on exactly what is happening. The roughness is not nearly as apparent in hand, nor does it look quite so devoid of patina. I respect CGB for being honest with their photos as I think they could have made it look a lot more attractive. The bottom half of Dafne&#039;s dress is weakly struck, however all the key figures and details are visible. I am extremely happy with this purchase. </p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://img.ma-shops.co.uk/cgb/pic/brm_504718.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p>My first coin ever purchased was this from Tavium Numismatics on eBay:</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1441001[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>I don&#039;t have full pictures anymore and they are no longer accessible on eBay. It was a Constantine with tetrarchic style bust and Jovi Conservatori reverse of the Siscia mint. I remember only wanting a coin where the word &quot;Constantinvs&quot; was clearly visible. I probably overpaid at the time, but it&#039;s probably in line with today&#039;s prices. I did not know about vcoins and MA-Shops at this time. I still love this coin, and it has a striking green patina.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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