Constantine I RIC VII, Ticinum 31

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
RIC VII, Ticinum 31
very rare! nearly EF
added to www.wildwinds.com

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!