Constantine I contemporary copy

[Peter B6]

A 4th-century copper-alloy contemporary copy of a Roman nummus of Constantine I dating to the period AD 320-321. VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP reverse type. Mint of Trier.

The inscription within the wreath on the reverse reads 'TOV' over 'R' and then a reversed 'P' instead of the official inscription 'VOT' over 'PR'. The remaining legend ('VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP') however, is in keeping with an official issue.

From the same site as the rare Constantine II I posted a couple of days ago.

[Joe Sermarini]

Nice looking imitative.

[Peter B6]

Joe

Thanks, yes, as you are no doubt aware, these copies are usually crude and could never have been intended to deceive but were more likely to make up for shortages of official coin coming into the province. This Romano British (if that is the case) individual made some quite impressive dies and only failed at the last hurdle to make something very close to the original.

[Joe Sermarini]

I am under the impression that these imitatives are German, not British.

[SC]

VLPP imitations are known primarily in Britain, Rhine frontier and the Balkans.  The Trier mint mark make the first two most likely as most Balkans imitations use Siscia mint marks.

SC