|
Constantine The Great- IOVI CONSERVATORI
|
Constantine the Great, early 307 - 22 May 337 A.D.
Obverse:
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust
IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
IMP : Imperator,
C: Caesar
CONSTANTINVS: Constantine
P F: Pius Felix ,
AVG: Augustus,
Reverse:
IOVI CONSERVATORI
IOVI: Jupiter
CONSERVATORI: Preserver
Showing: Jupiter standing left with chlamys,naked, holding Victory on a globe & scepter, eagle left with wreath in it's beak & bound captive right at foot
Domination: Bronze folli, size 20 mm
Mint: . TS . Β . , Thessalonica Β (Beta is 2nd officina), RIC VII 19 Thessalonica,
317-318 AD
This type is interesting because although it features Jupiter (who you'd associate with the eastern emperors), it was actually issued by Constantine - Thessalonica being the only mint where Jupiter displaced Sol on his coins. This appears to be a case of "border politics" since Constantine had just aquired the territory including Thessalonica in his civil war with Licinius, and now wanted to make nice (as also witnessed by their joint elevation and recognition of the caesars).
One Could also lookout for this same type but with the title of "INV AVG" (INVictus = Invincible) for Constantine which appears to have been issued during wartime.
|
|