Constantine I as Casear PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS from Trier

[Victor]

a recent win, Constantine as Caesar...it looks like it will be a real nice coin in hand.

Constantine I
A.D. 307
26mm   
FL VAL CONSTANTINVS NOB C; laureate and cuirassed bust right.
PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS; Prince, in military dress, holding standard in each hand; S-A across fields.
In ex. PTR
RIC VI Trier 734

[Gavin]

Those surfaces are perfect. Looks as struck. Constantine is pretty long in the tooth when this coin is minted. I've often wondered if this coin was struck as a late attempt to imply that he had been considered for the imperial College all along. May be a little bit of numismatic illusion to reinforce a sense of planned-for legitimacy. I like all the detail on the reverse prince's attire. I'm sure there's some kind of ceremonial significance to it all.

[Victor]

Constantine was awarded the title "Prince of Youth" by the Senate in A.D. 306; which was historically given to the heir apparent.

[Gavin]

Yes. Constantine seemed especially proud of that title, assuming he had something to do with the reverse type. But I think some PI coins were struck even with the AVG designation on the obverse. I just find that a bit incongruous, as if the timeline of preparation is collapsed.

[Victor]

Yes, Constantine referenced the title prince for years, think of the prolific VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP issued more than a decade after he became Augustus.

here's an older topic where I talked briefly about Constantine as the "eternal prince"

https://www.lateromanbronzecoinforum.com/index.php?topic=975.msg2761#msg2761

[Victor]

it's a pretty sharp example in hand, with lots of silvering.

[Nikko]

A great coin indeed. Congratz