I have seen many beautiful Solidi posted in this Forum. Here I want to share one of my nicest ones: Constantine I the Great, AD 307-337 AU - Solidus, 4.48g, 19mm, 0° Ticinum, autumn AD 315 obv. CONSTANTI - NVS PF AVG laureate bust r. rev. RESTITVTORI LIBERTATIS Emperor in military dress, stg. l., short sceptre on l. arm, receiving globe from Roma, std. r. on throne, holding sceptre. exergue: SMT ref. RIC VII, Ticinum 31 very rare! nearly EF RESTITVTOR LIBERTATIS means: "He has eliminated all his competitors." (Vogt, Orbis, p.162) This Solidus I have seldom seen. The first Solidi were struck end of AD 310 in Trier, then in Arles. Ticinum started in autumn AD 315 with the issue of these new denomination. This type therefore is one of the earliest Solidi struck in Italy for Constantine. Interesting is its size: With 19mm it is smaller than the later Solidi. And with its thickness too it reminds a bit on the older Aurei! Are there other Solidi of Constantine I around?
