Constantinopolis from Arles

[Victor]

I recently decided to collect the Constantinopolis from Arles by field marks. I used to have them all, but sold them and have decided to start again, like a New Year's goal, I suppose. There are 10 different symbols, but 11 types counting the coin with no marks. These are only from RIC VII. The Chi Rho mark  was issued twice during this period, so both are #8. Ideally, there is a size/ weight difference between the two because of a standard change. The previous coins were struck at 132 per pound, but in 336, the coins were struck at 196 per pound. That is why the GLORIA EXERCITVS coins went from two standars to just one-- smaller flans.

Obv. CONSTAN-TINOPOLIS laureate, helmeted, wearing imperial mantle, holding scepter.
REV- Victory stg. on prow, holding long scepter in r. hand, and resting l. hand on shield

1.   Plain                               (RIC 344)              A.D. 330
2.   Star                                (RIC 352)              A.D. 330- 331
3.   Crescent                         (RIC 357)              A.D. 331
4.   Single branch                  (RIC 363)              A.D. 332
5.   Tripe branch frond           (RIC 369)              A.D. 332- 333
6.   Wreath                           (RIC 374)              A.D. 333
7.   Dot in wreath                  (RIC 380)              A.D. 333- 334
8.   Chi-Rho                          (RIC 386/401)       A.D.  334/ 336
9.   Pine tree                         (RIC 393)              A.D. 335
10.    X                                 (RIC 408)              A.D. 336- 337
11.    O                                 (RIC 416)              A.D. 337

[Victor]

my first three of the year

RIC 380    dot in wreath

RIC 386    Chi-Rho

RIC 393    pine tree

[Heliodromus]

Yeah, definitely a satisfying set to collect. There's also an unlisted "wreath plus 3 pellets" issue - I've seen the Gloria Ex for Constantine and 3/4 caesars (not Constans) and Vrbs Roma, but not yet the Constantinopolis.

What's the size/weight of that Chi-Rho one? I've yet to see one that's convincingly the earlier issue. From the Gloria Exercitvs it seems the earlier issue is much rarer than the later one, but at least with that type it's obvious which one you have.

The "X" is also tough to distinguish on the Vrbs Roma & Constantinopolis between RIC VII and RIC VIII (Constantinopolis 408 vs 26). I'm not sure if there's any useful size/weight difference between those two, or a style difference perhaps.

[Victor]

I don't have the Chi-Rho yet...hopefully not too long.

I just looked at 7 chi-rho examples that I have sold recently, and I had them all as 401-- circa 16mm and all under 2g

[Victor]

I just got RIC 374...this is going to be easy 

[Victor]

I just picked up the triple branch frond. Years ago I had all these and kind of wish I had not sold them; but it is fun to leisurely look for them.

[Heliodromus]

Yeah - I've got a few I wish I hadn't sold. It can be a long wait nowadays looking for things that used to be readily available.

This (top coin) is my most recent pickup from this series. At 17x16mm, I'm pretty sure it's RIC VII 407 (vs RIC VIII 25 which I already had - 2nd coin below, 15.5mm).

[Victor]

I saw an X for the Constantinopolis issue for sale; but I thought they were asking too much and I am in no rush...I will let the mountain come to me.

[Heliodromus]

I paid $35 for that top recent one. Seems reasonable given that the "X" issue is fairly scarce.

By the way, there also seem to be two unlisted issues from this series...

1) There's a dot-in-wreath with additional dot outside of wreath (2 additional dots on Vrbs Roma, apparently for symmetry) - there's a Constantinopolis specimen in the Nummus database (# 41215).

2) There seems to be an issue just with a dot in field following the initial "plain" one. I've only seen this for Gloria Exercitus.

[Victor]

I paid $35 for that top recent one. Seems reasonable given that the "X" issue is fairly scarce.

Not bad...I might have to cheat for the Constantinopolis and get a RIC VIII example-- I'm allowing some wiggle room.