Constantine I VLPP from Siscia

[Victor]

This mintmark is unlisted in RIC for bust type H11, it should be before RIC 61. I have had several examples though and there were four examples of this type in the Bikic-Do hoard, # 198- 201-- one from officina A, one from B, and two from epsilon.

It has been struck on a large flan and the reverse also has a double strike.


Constantine I
A.D. 319
21mm    3.3gm
IMP CONSTANT-INVS AVG; high crested helmet and cuirassed bust left with spear across right shoulder.
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP; two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR on altar.
In ex. ESIS dot
RIC VII Siscia --       

[Victor]

Here is another unlisted Siscia VLPP that just sold, though I am not sure of the mintmark.


Constantine I
circa A.D. 318- 319
CONSTANTI-NVS AVG; high crested helmet and cuirassed bust left with spear across right shoulder.
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP; two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR on altar.
In ex. [?]SIS [?]
RIC VII Siscia --

[seuk]

I bought the last one - hopefully it will be possible to identify the mintmark when I get it in hand.

[Victor]

here is one with an unlisted (though not unknown) workshop


Constantine I
A.D. 318
19mm    3.3gm
IMP CONSTANTI-NVS AVG; high crested helmet, cuir., spear across right shoulder.
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP; two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR on altar.
In ex. ΓSIS *
RIC VII Siscia 49

[Genio popvli romani]

I am wondering if on some of these H11l busts (RIC.49 or 55) - including the one you have posted - Constantine is not holding something in his left hand (scipio, mappa, parazonium?)

[Victor]

I am wondering if on some of these H11l busts (RIC.49 or 55) - including the one you have posted - Constantine is not holding something in his left hand (scipio, mappa, parazonium?)

I have looked at a lot of these and wondered that myself...it is always a bit unclear, but I am leaning more towards just clumsy engraving of the hand, with the bit sticking up being the thumb.

[Genio popvli romani]

In the other hand, the bust with Constantine holding parazonium or scipio in left hand is attested on some Trier pseudo-argentei:

For magnified picture : http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=557164


http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=630924

[Victor]

In the other hand, the bust with Constantine holding parazonium or scipio in left hand is attested on some Trier pseudo-argentei:

Yes, it could be a clumsy attempt at copying the Trier type, but I have never seen a clear enough example from Siscia to make up my mind. Plus different engravers might have even been attempting different things.