7-1904

RIC VII, TRIER [after 60], CONSTANTINE I, UNLISTED ISSUE [Bust of Mars]

  

OBVERSE

CONSTANTINVSPFAVG [CONSTANTINVS P F AVG]; bust r., laur., cuir.

REVERSE

MARTICONSERVATORI [MARTI CONSERVATORI]; Bust of Mars r., helmeted and cuirassed.

NOT IN RIC

UNLISTED ISSUE. According to the preliminary study published by Genio popvli romani, not only T|F/PTR emission was continued after the 1/96 reduction [RIC VII TRIER 39-60] but also the emission of unmarked folles with bust of Mars on reverse [RIC VI TREVERI 877-885]. The main problem is to distinguish this later part from the earlier one, issued on the 1/72 standard. As Sutherland wrote in RIC VI (footnote 1 on p. 227): "It is not always easy to distinguish this earlier and heavier unmarked series from the lighter one, with the same types, which appeared after Maximinus' death: the weight-peaks are quite distinct from each other, but the light 'heavies' and the heavy 'lights' inevitably tend to overlap".

Probably the most crucial data is not a weight, but a diameter of die (PRD), i.e. pearl ring diameter (which should be not confused with a diameter of flan!). For earlier and heavier coins, issued on the 1/72 standard, we may assume that the diameter of beaded circle is at least 21 mm. For lighter coins, issued on the new 1/96 standard, this diameter is significantly smaller - c. 19 mm.

The diameters given below are usually the diameters of the flan. Keep in mind that it is sometimes hard to extrapolate a diameter of die from a diameter of actual flan, so the attribution is not always certain.

Note that the 1/96 emission was continued up to 316, which is proven by the die match discovered by Genio popvli romani. Compare obverses of coin from 1/96 emission with Sol [2.99 g; 19-20 mm] and of coin from T|F/ATR emission [2.90 g; 19 mm; TRIER 113].

See also: Lawrence H. Cope, "The sequence of issues in the long T/F series of Constantinian folles minted at Trier, A.D. 309-315", Schweizer Münzblätter 1969, no. 75, pp. 59-66.

Listed in Saint-Colombier-en-Sarzeau Hoard (p. 90, no. 4) as a part of 1/96 emission, 313-314. Listed in Collezione Sabetta (p. 49, no. 67). Listed in Collezione Sabetta (p. 51, no. 86). Coin should be listed after TRIER 60.

See also:
TRIER [after 60], CONSTANTINE I, UNLISTED ISSUE [Bust of Mars]; obv. legend 1a, bust B5
TRIER [after 60], CONSTANTINE I, UNLISTED ISSUE [Bust of Mars]; obv. legend 1c, bust B3
TRIER [after 60], CONSTANTINE I, UNLISTED ISSUE [Bust of Mars]; obv. legend 1c, bust B4
TRIER [after 60], CONSTANTINE I, UNLISTED ISSUE [Bust of Mars]; obv. legend 1c, bust B5
TRIER [after 60], CONSTANTINE I, UNLISTED ISSUE [Bust of Mars]; obv. legend 1d, bust B3
TRIER [after 60], CONSTANTINE I, UNLISTED ISSUE [Bust of Mars]; obv. legend 1d, bust B4
TRIER [after 60], CONSTANTINE I, UNLISTED ISSUE [Bust of Mars; Ticinum/Aquileia style]; obv. legend 1d, bust B5

NOTES

Weight 3.00 g; diameter 19.5 mm. From CGB E-shop (brm_337886), sold for EUR 280.

Other specimens:

- sold on Numismatik Naumann auction 99 (lot 741) in February 2021 for EUR 90; weight 3.47 g; diameter 22 mm [click for picture];

- from Collezione Sabetta (plate 4, no. 86); weight 2.84 g; diameter 19.5 mm [click for picture];

- from the Genio popvli romani Collection; weight 2.90 g; diameter 20 mm [click for picture];

- sold on Leu Numismatik web auction 28 (lot 4498) in December 2023 for CHF 360 (attributed as half follis minted in 310-311); ex Lars Ramskold; weight 2.30 g; diameter 21 mm [click for picture];

- from London Ancient Coins auctiom 48 (lot 229) in December 2015; weight 3.51 g; diameter 19 mm [click for picture];

- sold on Themis Numismatics auction 4 (lot 173) in November 2019 for EUR 38; weight 2.85 g; diameter 21 mm [click for picture];

- sold on Priapus Numismatics auction 1 (lot 1220) in November 2023 for GBP 44; weight 3.01 g; diametere 21 mm [click for picture];

- from CGB E-shop (brm_489925); weight 3.71 g; diameter 20.5 mm [click for picture];

- from VAuctions Triskeles auction 31 (lot 323), March 2020; weight 3.66 g; diameter 21 mm [click for picture];

- from Saint-Colombier-en-Sarzeau Hoard (plate XXVII, no. 4); weight 3.30 g [click for picture];

- from the preliminary study published by Genio popvli romani; weight 3.45 g; diameter 20.5 mm [click for picture];

- sold on Roma Numismatics eSale 95 (lot 1406) in April 2022 for GBP 45; weight 2.71 g; diameter 21 mm [click for picture];

- sold on Roma Numismatics eSale 108 (lot 1176) in April 2023 for GBP 75; weight 3.40 g; diameter 21 mm [click for picture];

- sold on Emporium Hamburg Floor Auction 79 (lot 508) in November 2017 for EUR 60 (diameter of the die unknown; attribution based on weight only); weight 2.90 g [click for picture];

- sold on Agora Auctions auction 107 (lot 123) in September 2022 for USD 60; weight 3.17 g; diameter 20.7 mm [click for picture];

- from Bastien-Huvelin (plate VI, no. 333); weight 3.19 g [click for picture];

- from Bastien-Huvelin (plate VI, no. 334); weight 2.91 g [click for picture].


NOT IN RIC © 2004 Lech Stępniewski