Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 345 25 February 2015
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Commemorative Series. AD 330-354. Æ Follis (15mm, 1.90 g, 4h). Alexandria mint, 1st officina. Struck circa AD 337-340. Laureate and helmeted bust of Constantinopolis left, draped, with scepter over her left shoulder / Victory standing left, right foot on prow, holding scepter and shield; S-R//SMALA•. RIC VIII 11; LRBC 1453. Good VF, brown patina, some light smoothing. Scarce variety.
With the dedication of the city of Constantinople in the spring of AD 330, Constantine I utilized a numismatic approach to place his newly-founded city on the same level of importance as Rome. These "city commemoratives" were struck to honor both Rome and Constantinople, the former alluding to its legendary founding with the imagery of the she-wolf and twins and the latter alluding to the recent naval battle over the Licinii with Victory advancing from a conquest. Though meant to honor just these two cities, this series was struck throughout the empire at various mints. For further reading, see Kent, "Urbs Roma and Constantinopolis medallions at the mint of Rome," pp. 105-13 in Essays Sutherland.
With the dedication of the city of Constantinople in the spring of AD 330, Constantine I utilized a numismatic approach to place his newly-founded city on the same level of importance as Rome. These "city commemoratives" were struck to honor both Rome and Constantinople, the former alluding to its legendary founding with the imagery of the she-wolf and twins and the latter alluding to the recent naval battle over the Licinii with Victory advancing from a conquest. Though meant to honor just these two cities, this series was struck throughout the empire at various mints. For further reading, see Kent, "Urbs Roma and Constantinopolis medallions at the mint of Rome," pp. 105-13 in Essays Sutherland.