Classical Numismatics Discussion
  Welcome Guest. Please login or register. 10% Off Store-Wide Sale Until 2 April!!! Explore Our Website And Find Joy In The History, Numismatics, Art, Mythology, And Geography Of Coins!!! Expert Authentication - Accurate Descriptions - Reasonable Prices - Coins From Under $10 To Museum Quality Rarities Welcome Guest. Please login or register. 10% Off Store-Wide Sale Until 2 April!!! Explore Our Website And Find Joy In The History, Numismatics, Art, Mythology, And Geography Of Coins!!! Support Our Efforts To Serve The Classical Numismatics Community - Shop At Forum Ancient Coins

New & Reduced


Author Topic: Constantine I - Rare Early Votive Fraction  (Read 1353 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline wolfgang336

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 946
  • Aut Caesar Aut Nullus
Constantine I - Rare Early Votive Fraction
« on: January 25, 2021, 10:37:45 pm »
I thought I would post this handsome (if modest) recent acquisition:

Obverse: FL VAL CONSTANTINVS N C, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Reverse: VO / TIS / X in three lines within wreath
15.5 mm

RIC VI 750 (Trier)

ex. Morris Collection (Phil Peck)

I believe RIC lists this as having been struck in summer 307 (I don't have my copy of RIC handy to confirm). It looks to have been struck at Trier as part of a series of votives issued for the other rulers at the time. Interestingly, a stylistically similar fraction exists featuring Constantine as Augustus: RIC VI 906 (Trier). RIC apparently lists that coin as having been struck 310-311. The second image is the only example I've located online.

I'm not sure how to reconcile the dating of my coin versus the similar version featuring Constantine as Augustus. I would tend to presume that both coins were struck in the summer of 307, with my coin struck immediately prior to Constantine's elevation and the other coin struck immediately after elevation.

The coin is sufficiently rare that I would not be surprised to find die matches. A quick review of a few examples on Not in RIC (thanks Lech!) yields a few examples which are very close but no cigar (at least to my eyes): http://www.notinric.lechstepniewski.info/6tre750cor.html. Interestingly, at least one of Lech's examples features an identical die clog (in the 'V') as my own.

The coin also raises a general question about the purpose of fractional coins during this period. With the majority of coinage at this time consisting of folles, I'm not sure what role a quarter follis would actually play in daily life, apart from propaganda. Approximately the same question was raised in a recent thread featuring a lovely Titus quadrans belonging to David Atherton. Any thoughts?

Evan

Offline wolfgang336

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 946
  • Aut Caesar Aut Nullus
Re: Constantine I - Rare Early Votive Fraction
« Reply #1 on: January 27, 2021, 04:26:43 pm »
And a bonus I picked up with it! (Not overly special, just pretty).

Obverse: FL VALER CONSTANTINVS PF AVG, laureate head right
Reverse: GENIO AVGVSTI, Genius standing facing, head left, holding head of Serapis and cornucopia, ✶ / N / palm branch in left left field, Γ / wreath in right field; ALE in exergue
22.28mm, 4.65 g
313 AD

RIC VI 163 Alexandria

Offline mauseus

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 3084
  • Ah Allectus, my trusted friend.......
    • Later Roman Coinage
Re: Constantine I - Rare Early Votive Fraction
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2021, 12:32:24 pm »
Hi,

I am very envious of your fraction, I simply love the subdivisions of the follis. I have a very small gallery dedicated to them and wish I could acquire more.

Well done, a rare coin.

Regards,

Mauseus

Offline wolfgang336

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 946
  • Aut Caesar Aut Nullus
Re: Constantine I - Rare Early Votive Fraction
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2021, 11:42:34 am »
Thank Mauseus!

Offline gb29400

  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 451
  • Your life is what your thoughts make it ! M.Aurel
    • GbCollection
Re: Constantine I - Rare Early Votive Fraction
« Reply #4 on: July 13, 2021, 03:16:58 am »
Nice fraction.

Here my fractions


FL VAL CONSTANTINVS N C, laureate and cuirassed bust right
R/VO / TIS / X in three lines within wreath
Trier, 307 AD - 16 x 18 mm - 2.06 g
Zschucke 7.13; RIC.750


FL VAL CONSTANTINVS N C, laureate and cuirassed bust right
R/VO / TIS / X in three lines within wreath
Trier, 307 AD - 17.5 mm - 2.17 g
Zschucke 7.13; RIC.750

Offline wolfgang336

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 946
  • Aut Caesar Aut Nullus
Re: Constantine I - Rare Early Votive Fraction
« Reply #5 on: July 17, 2021, 04:56:08 pm »
Great examples, gb! No die matches with mine!

 

All coins are guaranteed for eternity