two recent overstruck acquisitions Here is an interesting unofficial overstrike. It’s in a slab, which is why it looks like pieces are missing from the edges. It is an official IOVI undertype, which was issued A.D. 313- 315. This type was demonetized after the monetary reform in A.D. 318, which introduced the VLPP in bronze. Normally, the unofficial VLPP are circa 17-18mm, close to the official issue; but this coin, struck on an IOVI flan is almost 22mm. So, because of the size and crude overstrike, everyone would have known that this was unofficial, but it seemed it was more important to at least attempt an overstrike, rather than continue to circulate an unaltered IOVI. It looks like the undertype is Siscia 7 IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG; laureate head right. IOVI CON-SERVATORI; Jupiter standing l., chlamys across l. shoulder, leaning on sceptre and holding Victory on globe in r. hand; eagle with wreath to l. on ground; in right field A. in ex. SIS Siscia 7 oriented to show the unofficial VLPP and the official type The CNG description-- "Constantine I. AD 307/310-337. Æ Follis (21.5mm, 4.06 g). Contemporary imitation. Uncertain mint in the Danube basin. Struck circa AD 320s. Helmeted and cuirassed bust right / Two Victories standing vis-à-vis, holding inscribed shield on altar. Overstruck on an a Siscia mint follis of Constantine I. Sergeev 232-7. For undertype cf. RIC VII 3 (Siscia). Green patina. In NGC encapsulation 4530021-005, graded Ch AU, Strike: 3/5, Surface: 3/5, light smoothing. Remarkably clear undertype. Very interesting" The second coin-- This coin has been overstruck and it looks official; though it is hard to be sure. If official, it would be very rare. The undertype is not really visible, but it is a larger module and might be an IOVI type. CNG description Crispus. Caesar, AD 316-326. Æ Follis (22mm, 3.44 g, 6h). Londinium (London) mint. Struck AD 324. Laureate head right / VOT/X in two lines within laurel wreath; PLON(crescent). RIC VII 291; C&T 10.01.005. Dark green-brown patina, flan crack, overstruck on an uncertain issue of a larger module. VF.
The 2nd coin undertype is clearly showing S AVG so the undertype is likely to be Constantine. You could eliminate issues with a PF in the legend. IMHO overstrikes are soooo much better when the undertype is legible but this one is attractive.
The second coin is most interesting not so much because of the undertype being visible, but because it looks official.
Could this be a flip over double strike? Rather than readinf S AVG, couls the bits of legend visible in the obverse be the remnants of SARVM N, with the X visible in the hair being the X from VOT/ X?
