Constantine I MARTI CONSERVATORI from Rome

[Victor]

Here is an early issue of the MARTI type, struck shortly after Constantine defeated Maxentius. This type from Rome is more scarce than from the other mints.

Constantine I
AD 312- 313
22mm   3.3gm
IMP C CONSTANTINVS P F AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right.
MARTI CONSERVATORI, Mars standing right, head right; right leaning on reversed spear, left on shield.
In ex. RP
RIC VI Rome 307

[Nikko]

I have this coin in my collection since a few years and i classified it as RIC 307 var (unlisted officina).  I supposed that the description  in RIC was inaccurate, but after seeing your coin Victor i was wrong.

[Victor]

your example has much nicer engraving

[Nikko]

Yes Victor, but also Mars il looking left with inverted position of shield and spear.

[Victor]

yes, I saw that. It is interesting, though, that it seems to be a more skilled engraver, but he seems to have made a simple mistake and engraved his image backwards. I mirror imaged the pic which makes it look like the normal type.