Which Constantine?

[Coriel]

Hello Victor
I've had this coin for some time, classified as Constantine I, Trier RIC VI 591. I think I've got a bit muddled here because I can't find that number in Wildwinds. There is however a RIC VII 591 for Constantine II. Looking at the head, it does seem much too young looking for Constantine I. I can't make out on the obverse whether it is MAX or IUN just before the AVG, wshich of course, would solve the problem. Granted that the obverses are not strictly portraits at this period, is it possible at all to distinguish by sight between the two Constantines?

[Victor]

I believe that RIC VII 591 for Constantine II is correct. Though hard to make out, I think that your obverse legend ends with IVN N C. Below is another example of 591. Constantine II does typically look younger than Constantine I, but that is not an exact science. Another small clue is the headdress- if it is a laurel it is almost always a Caesar. Constantine I is usually (but not always) diademed on the GE issues.

[Coriel]

Thank you so much, Victor. Constantine safely reclassified.  What I thought was AVG is, in fact, N N C as I looked more closely at the coin.
All the best
James