Constantine I rarities from London

[Victor_Clark]

 

I recently picked up some rarer Constantine coins from London. The books I use to catalogue these are Roman Imperial Coinage (RIC) VI and VII and Cloke and Toone’s The London Mint of Constantius and Constantine 2nd ed. (LMCC) and the upcoming Roman Mint of London (RML) by Ken Elks.

 

 

The first coin is apparently unique and not in any of the references

Constantine I
A.D. 312- 313
Ӕ nummus 24mm 4.1g
CONSTANTINVS AG; laureate and cuirassed bust left, holding spear and shield.
MARTI CONSERVATORI; Mars in military dress, stg. r., spear in r. hand, l. on shield set on the ground, cloak across r. shoulder, ✶ in left.
in ex. PLN
RIC VI London --; LMCC --; RML--

 

 

this second coin is also unique and is the plate coin in LMCC and RML. Both books cite the sale of this coin in Baldwins Winter 2013/ 2104 sale. LMCC also notes three obverse die matches with other issues.

 

Constantine I
A.D. 311-312
Ӕ nummus 22mm 4.8g
CONSTANTINVS AVG; radiate helmet and cuirassed bust left, spear over right shoulder, shield on left.
COMITI AVGG NN; Sol standing left, chlamys across left shoulder, right hand holding up globe, whip in left, in right field ✶.
In ex. PLN
RIC VI London --; LMCC 7.03.052 (this coin); RML 356 (this coin)

 

 

 

and the last is one is listed in all the references and is barely rare.

 

Constantine I
A.D. 311- 312
Ӕ nummus 22x23mm 4.3gm
CONSTANTINVS P AVG; Laureate, helmeted, and cuirassed bust left, holding spear over shoulder and shield.
ADVENTVS AVG; Emperor mounted l., raising r. hand and holding spear; captive in front; ✶ in right field.
in ex. PLN
RIC VI London 139; LMCC 7.01.012; RML 281

 

 

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Very nice!  I like the more intricate busts.

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Very nice Victor. The radiate is interesting as well. Are we to assume it's a post-reform radiate?

But I suppose it's likely that it's not at this stage.

 

[Victor_Clark]

3 minutes ago, Ancient Coin Hunter said:

Very nice Victor. The radiate is interesting as well. Are we to assume it's a post-reform radiate?

But I suppose it's likely that it's not at this stage.

 

 

One difference, besides the time frame, is that radiates have a radiate crown while this coin has a radiate helmet. More common are laureate or plain.

[thejewk]

Lovely examples too, these often show up with rather rough surfaces. 

I really the the combination of artistry and the variety of types in the * PLN issues.  After the first reduction in weight of the coinage it's my favourite period from the London mint. 

[Victor_Clark]

 

I forgot to mention, that the SPES is my 100th Constantine from London coin. These are all, with the exception of 2-3 duplicates, different catalogue numbers. Each of my trays holds 20, so I am getting ready to start tray 6.

 

 

 

https://constantinethegreatcoins.com/London/