Watch List notes:

Constantine I, 307/310-337. Solidus (Gold, 19 mm, 4.57 g, 6 h), Treveri, 313-315. CONSTANTI-NVS P F AVG Laureate head of Constantine I to right. Rev. GLORIA RO-MANORVM / PTR Constantine I seated to left on shield and cuirass, receiving globe from Victory, on the left, standing right. Depeyrot 20/4 (1 specimen). NAC 92 (2016), 687 (same reverse die). RIC p. 713 (addenda et corrigenda), p. 165, 15a. Extremely rare and among the finest of a very few known examples. A magnificent piece with a bold portrait and splendid reverse. Very light scuff on the edge and with two scratches on the reverse, otherwise, good extremely fine.


This beautiful solidus of Constantine I certainly dates to after his victory against Maxentius in 312 and the Edict of Milan in early 313, the latter of which stopped the persecution of Christians and granted legal status to their increasingly popular religion. Unfortunately, Constantine's itinerary in the following years is somewhat unclear, but it seems that he visited Britain in late 313 or early 314 and celebrated a victory against Germanic tribes later that year. The Battle of Cibalae against Licinius I, on the other hand, likely took place in 316 and not, as was previously believed, in 314. Thus, our coin can be dated to 313-315, when Constantine was active in Germany, Gaul and Britain, with 314 being the most likely date, as the reverse may very well refer to his Germanic victory in that year.