As both of you clearly have the eye, I think you will appreciate the following offering from PNO Numismatics:
Helena (in the name of Constantine)
Gilded medalette, 21 mm, 3,93 g. 12 h. Unknown mint travelling with Helena during her pilgrimage to the Holy Land,
c. 327 (Jerusalem?).
Diademed and cuirassed bust r. of Constantine wearing paludamentum, seen from front. CONSTAN- [TINVS] AVG
Crossed oblong shields with crossed spears behind. Ο ΚΑΑ ΥΙ ςω
RIC -; Voetter (Gerin) -; Maurice -; Cohen – ; Metaf Üsik:
A Survey of Rare and Unpublished Coins of the Bible Lands (fortcoming): 228:14 (this coin); Cf. Jeff Thompson:
Cereal Box Prizes: A Collector’s Guide pp. 395-397.
Virtually uncirculated, somewhat weak strike (as normal for issue) with parts of legend off flan. Much original gilding preserved, else with lustrous Tiber patina. Professionally authenticated and encapsulated by High Grading Numismatic Corporation (HGNC) and graded MS★★★ The finest known specimen of this excessively rare type.
From the collection Karl Friedrich, Freiherr von Münchausen
Ex collection of Victor Lustig
Ex Bernie Madoff Collection
Ex Diotima Tuzzi
* * *
Few pieces of numismatic art resonate so deeply with those knowledgeable in the cultural and religious history of late antiquity as this iconic medalette, struck at the court of Constantine’s mother during her pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Nor, indeed, is any type of late roman medallion more sought after by discerning connoisseurs. Its immeasurable historical, numismatic and theological importance, coupled with its virtual unobtainability to all but the most fortunate collectors, have inspired admiration and fascination as well as disbelief and excessive skepticism in the hearts of historians, theologians, numismatists and collectors.
Foremost of the reasons for the exalted position of the type in the collective consciousness of connoisseurs and skeptics alike is the medalette’s unique and daring combination of iconographic elements, bridging a hellenistic sensibility with an almost Byzantine level of abstract symbolism.
The obverse portrait, in its general outline typical of the period, shows Constantine as a handsome and youthful (or, perhaps,
ageless) ruler. The imago of the Tetrarchic soldier-emperor and the heroic victor is here replaced by that of the benevolent Fundator quietis. While the portrait is clearly Eastern in style, it is also imbued with a bold (dare we say
masculine) character, suggesting the work of a Gallic or Thracian master engraver and revealing something of Constantine’s personality. While the exact meaning of the reverse design (an unprecedented
détournement of a prutah issued by Antonius Felix, procurator of Judaea under the emperor Claudius) remains enigmatic, it is certainly a reference to the apostolic age, combining Christian, Judaic and Roman symbolism and iconography in a most striking way.
It should come as little surprise that this medalette has been frequently forged, and some contemporary counterfeits are also quite convincing.
Pace Hendlin, Clark and others, we remain convinced, however, that there exist three or four authentic specimens, all die-linked, of which this is clearly the best preserved. The exact reasoning behind this assessment will be laid out in greater detail in a forthcoming, multi-disciplinary study on the subject, together with an unassailable argument in favor of the absolute authenticity of the present piece.
Estimate 30.000 – 50.000 EUR
Bidding starts at 15 EUR
