thenickelguy Posted June 20, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 20, 2022 (edited) Constantine I (The Great) Constantine AE follis RIC VII 233 AE3 Arelate Mint 321 AD Is Arles the same as Arelate? Obverse: CONSTAN-TINVS AVG laureate head of Constantine I right Reverse: D N CONSTANTINI MAX AVG (dot) X X within wreath. P (crescent) A below wreath (mintmark) 18.5 mm 2.7 gr from the Kermit C Smyth collection. Edited June 20, 2022 by thenickelguy 21 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted June 20, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted June 20, 2022 Yep, Arles is the modern name of the ancient city of Arelate. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thenickelguy Posted June 20, 2022 · Member Author Share Posted June 20, 2022 (edited) Thanks for the great picture and description CPK. I really like this coin. I found the exact issue on Wildwinds. I'm proud of myself. I'm standing at the door waiting for the pony express as I type! an afterthought . . . After posting it has a desert patina, I looked up Arles which I find is in France. Maybe some coins that appear like this were not always uncovered in the sand? Edited June 20, 2022 by thenickelguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parthicus Posted June 20, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 20, 2022 It's certainly possible that a coin from Arles circulated far enough that it was buried in a desert. But unfortunately, there are a few sellers out there who like to add an artificial desert patina to their bronzes, regardless of where the coins were found. (The specific dealers I'm aware of are based in the Middle East, so many of the coins they handle were originally found in a desert, but even they get coins from other places too.) It enhances the attractiveness of the coin, but it can also be used to unscrupulously cover up roughness on the coin's surface. Your coin looks OK as far as I can tell, but look closely at any "desert patina" bronzes you consider buying in the future to make sure there are no surface issues being concealed. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted June 20, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted June 20, 2022 10 minutes ago, Parthicus said: It's certainly possible that a coin from Arles circulated far enough that it was buried in a desert. I would say that is the most likely explanation. If indeed the patina is a true "desert" patina, and not a similar earthen patina from some less-arid region. Good point about the questionable dealers. I've heard of using a false "patina" to hide tooling, for example. I've yet to buy anything from either of them though, and I don't know if I ever will. Fortunately, this coin was originally sold through CNG. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Steve Posted June 20, 2022 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted June 20, 2022 (edited) 🙃 thenickelguy => man, that is another fantastic new addition (great centering ... oh, and cool desert patina) Ummm, you never asked anybody to post their coins, but that has never deterred me in the past, so here are a couple of my Constantine The Great ex-amples ... Constantine I AE 3, open door campgate (below) 306-337 Arelate mint Diameter: 20.6 x 21.8 mm Weight: 2.26 grams Obverse: Constantine I Reverse: 4 turreted campgate with open doors Reference: Other: areas of porosity as shown Ex-stevex6 Constantine I Commemorative (below) Date: 332-333 AD Trier mint Diameter: 17.1 mm Weight: 2.0 grams Obverse: VRBS ROMA - Helmeted and mantled bust of Roma Reverse: She-wolf suckling Remus and Romulus, TR [dot] S (Trier mint) References: RIC 542 Characteristics: Well centered, nice style and grade Ex-stevex6 Edited June 20, 2022 by Steve 10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc9 Posted October 19, 2022 · Member Share Posted October 19, 2022 @ Steve, Did you see the cressant between the 2 stars? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLTcoins Posted October 19, 2022 · Member Share Posted October 19, 2022 (edited) Please delete. Edited October 20, 2022 by DLTcoins Did not intend to reply. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wittwolff Posted October 20, 2022 · Member Share Posted October 20, 2022 Nice coin, here a sandy Constantine from my collection: Emperor Constantine I. - Nummus - Arelate mint Obv.: IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG Rev.: SOLI INVICTO COMITI 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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