CONSTANTIN - Lot 152

CONSTANTIN Silver medallion of 4 miliarense A/ Epigraph R/ DN CONSTANTINVS MAX TRIVMF AVG MCON Workshop illegible, read CONS A, Δ or B Silver 17.30 gr 30 mm The metal is pitted, as on many examples RIC 53 var These large-scale coins would have been struck in honor of the Empire's new capital, Constantinople, on May 11, 330. Two types of coin are known, a first series with the figure of Roma seated, holding a spear and shield, and a second with Tyche Constantinople, seated, holding a cornucopia, her foot on a ship's prow. The known mints are S and I for the Roma type, and B, Γ, Δ, Є, S, Z, Θ, I, IA for the Constantinople type. Fewer than 10 examples are known for Roma and around 20 for Constantinople. These medallions appear to be a Roman variation of Hellenistic tetradrachms RAMSKOLD Lars and LENSKI Noel Constantinople's dedication medallions and the maintenance of civic traditions Expert: Florian Bourguet