This type commemorates Constantine's victory over Maxentius at the battle of Milvian bridge and was struck only by mints he had just gained control over - Rome and Ostia and then Arles after the Ostia mint transfer. This issue copies a reverse used on Trajan coinage after his Dacian victory.
The reverse of this coin references a prince. The title “Prince of Youth†was given to some caesars, which meant that they were intended to eventually become Augustus. Constantine used the title since his elevation to Caesar in A.D. 306 and seemed fond of it, using it on several issues. Even by A.D. 320 when he was almost 50 years old, he was still called “Eternal Prince†on the VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP coinage.
Constantine I
A.D. 312-313
Obv: IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG, laureate, cuirassed bust right
Rev: SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI [The senate and the Roman people to the highest prince] Legionary eagle (to the left) between two vexilla, that on left surmounted by a right hand, that on right by a wreath; flag on the eagle.
in ex R P
RIC VI Rome 349
