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

OBVERSE	CONSTANTINVSPFAVG [CONSTANTINVS P F AVG]; bust r., laur., dr., 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 the weight, but the 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 21-22 mm. For lighter coins, issued on the new 1/96 standard, this diameter is significantly smaller - c. 19-20 mm. Keep in mind that diameters given below are usually diameters of flan, so attribution is in many cases uncertain. 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. 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 B5 TRIER [after 60], CONSTANTINE I, UNLISTED ISSUE [Bust of Mars; Ticinum/Aquileia style]; obv. legend 1d, bust B5

NOTES

Weight 3.13 g; diameter 19.5 mm. From the American Numismatic Society Collection (reg. no. 1984.146.1397). Shown in Bastien-Huvelin (plate VI, no. 332). Other specimens: - sold by CGB E-shop (brm_489921) for EUR 450; Chitry Hoard (no. 949); now in Thierry Carion's collection; weight 3.62 g; diameter 19.80 mm [click for picture]; - sold on Leu Numismatik web auction 25 (lot 2662) in March 2023 for CHF 120; weight 2.58 g; diameter 21 mm [click for picture]; - from preliminary study published by Genio popvli romani; weight 2.90 g; diameter 19 mm [click for picture]; - sold on Thesaurus "Idra" auction (lot 647) in December 2008 for EUR 160; weight 4.50 g (slip?); diameter c. 19-20 mm; rev. die link to TRIER [after 60]; obv. legend 1c (CGB coin) [click for picture] [Thanks to the collaboration of Thierry Carion]; - sold on Kölner Münzkabinett E-Auction 3 (lot 445) in June 2017 for EUR 30 (diameter of the die unknown; attribution based on weight only); weight 3.39 g [click for picture].