LOT 3200
City Commemorative AE 14mm. AD 330.
Constantinople mint. Struck under Constantine I. Commemorating the dedication of the city of Constantinople. 10th officina. POP ROMANVS, laureate and draped bust of Genius to left; cornucopia at shoulder / Eight-pointed star above CONSI; all within wreath with jewel at apex. RIC VIII 22; LRBC 1067. Very Fine.(1.64gr, 14mm, 6h.).
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.
FootnotesThe obverse legend of this coin is short for Populus Romanus ('the people of Rome'). The status of Populus Romanus was granted to the people of Constantinople when Constantine inaugurated his new capital on 11 May 330. This was significant for it gave the people of Constantinople the same legal status as Rome, meaning they could enjoy the benefits of the Ius Italicum. Notably this meant people born in the city of Constantinople automatically gained Roman citizenship and this entitled them exemption from land and poll tax, protection under Roman law and the ability to buy and sell property.
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Romano-British Imitation of Constantius II BI Centenionalis. AD 337-361.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
Following Arles mint; struck circa AD 348-354. [...[COΠSTA-TIVS P F ꜸG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / [...]PARATIO, soldier standing to left, spearing fallen horseman, round shield below; TCON in exergue. For prototype cf. RIC VIII 215 & 224; SCBC 750; see also Carson and J.P.C. Kent, 'A Hoard of Roman Fourth-Century Bronze Coins from Heslington, Yorkshire' in NC Vol. 11 (1971), p. 224. 1.88gr, 16mm, 6h.
Very Fine.
Found Yorkshire, UK. From the private collection of Robin Sykes, Yorkshire, UK, formed since the late 1990s.
During the 4th century, the urban life in Britain was in serious decline and the supplies of currency from the Empire temporarily disrupted, so the local imitations of Constantius II and the usurper Magnentius became necessary to cover the deficit. -
Aureolus, Romano-Gallic Usurper BI Antoninianus. AD 268-269.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Mediolanum mint; struck AD 268. In the name and types of Postumus. IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / SALV[S AVG], Aesculapius standing facing, head to left, leaning on serpent-entwined staff; P in exergue. RIC V.2 382. 1.81gr, 19mm, 11h.
Good Very Fine.
Property of a North London, UK, gentleman. -
Constantine I BI Nummus. AD 335.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £31
Antioch mint. CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG, rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / GLORIA EXERCITVS, two soldiers standing facing, each holding spear, two standards between; SMANΔ in exergue. RIC VII 86. 2.02gr, 18mm, 12h.
Very Fine.
Private collection, acquired 1980–1985.
