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Lot
# 575 - Auction is closed.Estimate: US$20000
/ Price Realized: US$16000
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Constantine I. Solidus
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Constantine I. 307-337 AD. Solidus, 4.33g. Nicomedia, c. 330 AD. Obv: CONSTANTI - NVS MAX AVG Bust draped, cuirassed right, seen from front, wearing laurel and rosette diadem. Rx: PIETAS AVGVSTI NOSTRI Constantine in military dress standing left, holding scepter in left hand and extending right hand to raise turreted female figure (Constantinopolis) kneeling right before him; the kneeling figure clasps the emperor's hand with her right hand and holds cornucopia in her left hand; she is presented to the emperor by Roma or Virtus, helmeted, right breast bare, standing right, placing her right hand on the shoulder of the kneeling figure and holding a shield on her left arm; the emperor, finally, is crowned by Victory standing left behind him and also holding palm; SMNP in exergue. Apparently only the third recorded specimen of this rare reverse type with this exact mintmark, the other two being in Vienna and in NFA XXII, 1 June 1989, 130. RIC 168 (Vienna). Cohen 393 var. (300 Fr.). Depeyrot 42/1 (p. 130, 2 specimens with our mintmark SMNP). Good EF.
According to Toynbee, Roman Medallions, p. 196, this type commemorates Constantine's capture of Byzantium from Licinius, and his rebuilding of the city to turn it into his new capital Constantinipolis: "the city is rescued from the enemy and 'restored' through the emperor's compassion, so that she may begin her new life as Constantinople." The cornucopia held by Constantinople seems to have been overlooked by previous cataloguers, though it is perfectly clear on our piece and on the similar gold medallion and two solidi illustrated by Toynbee, Numismatic Chronicle 1940, pl. IV, 5-7.
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