Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction X 27 September 2015
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Constantine I AV Medallion of 1¼ Solidi. Nicomedia, AD 325-326. D N CONSTANTINVS AVG, diademed bust right, with uplifted gaze / EQVIS ROMANVS, Constantine, bare-headed and in military dress, mounted right, raising right hand; SMN in exergue. NAC 51, 5 March 2009, 426; C. -; RIC -, (cf. 100 for reverse); cf. Bastien pl. IV, 16 (same); cf. Gnecchi 9 (same); cf. Biaggi 1966 (same); Depeyrot p. 154. 5.29g, 21mm, 7h.
Extremely Fine. Exceptionally Rare.
Ex Roma Numismatics VII, 22 March 2014, lot 1296 (sold for £11,000 but not paid);
Ex Numismatik Lanz München 145 (with Numismatica Bernardi), 5 January 2009, lot 148.
Multiples of 1½ and 2 solidi have been previously recorded, however this 1¼ is one of only two known, the other having been sold at Numismatica Ars Classica 51, 5 March 2009, lot 426.
After the naval defeat inflicted on Licinius by Constantine at the Battle of the Hellespont, Licinius withdrew his forces from Byzantium across the Bosphorus to Chalcedon in Bithynia. Pursued by Constantine, it was here that the decisive Battle of Chrysopolis was fought, in which Licinius was routed and fled with his remaining troops to the eastern capital of Nicomedia. Here he threw himself on the mercy of Constantine, capitulating in order to save his own life.
Struck shortly after the mint at Nicomedia had begun striking gold for Constantine as sole emperor, and to coincide with Constantine's vicennial celebrations in 326, this unusual piece honours the traditional concept of the Roman state by hailing the equestrian rank; a similar issue was struck at the same time with the reverse legend SENATVS. Alföldi proposed that these particular reverse types might also commemorate the emperor's experiment with reorganisation of the equites, which began in 326.
Extremely Fine. Exceptionally Rare.
Ex Roma Numismatics VII, 22 March 2014, lot 1296 (sold for £11,000 but not paid);
Ex Numismatik Lanz München 145 (with Numismatica Bernardi), 5 January 2009, lot 148.
Multiples of 1½ and 2 solidi have been previously recorded, however this 1¼ is one of only two known, the other having been sold at Numismatica Ars Classica 51, 5 March 2009, lot 426.
After the naval defeat inflicted on Licinius by Constantine at the Battle of the Hellespont, Licinius withdrew his forces from Byzantium across the Bosphorus to Chalcedon in Bithynia. Pursued by Constantine, it was here that the decisive Battle of Chrysopolis was fought, in which Licinius was routed and fled with his remaining troops to the eastern capital of Nicomedia. Here he threw himself on the mercy of Constantine, capitulating in order to save his own life.
Struck shortly after the mint at Nicomedia had begun striking gold for Constantine as sole emperor, and to coincide with Constantine's vicennial celebrations in 326, this unusual piece honours the traditional concept of the Roman state by hailing the equestrian rank; a similar issue was struck at the same time with the reverse legend SENATVS. Alföldi proposed that these particular reverse types might also commemorate the emperor's experiment with reorganisation of the equites, which began in 326.