Watch List notes:

Commemorative Series, 317-320. AE (Bronze, 17 mm, 1.56 g), Constantinopolis or Thessalonica (?). Eight-rayed star. Rev. Laurel wreath terminating in central medaillon. Bendall, Anonymous silver, RN 158 (2002), Type C. Bendall 2006, fig. 2 (this coin) and 2008, fig. 6 (this coin). Ramskold, Coins and medallions (2011), fig. 15. RIC -. Very rare. An exceptionally sharp and attractive piece. Small flan crack and with a tiny flan fault on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine.


From the collection of Dr. L. Ramskold, ex Gorny & Mosch 134, 11 October 2004, 3088 (expertly cleaned since).

Bendall regarded this specimen as so important that he devoted a separate paper to it in 2006. Like Bendall, Ramskold (Coins and medallions (2011), p. 150-151) also described the star-and-wreath bronze emission as struck for the inauguration of Constantinopolis in 330. In view of new, possibly related material (offered in this auction) which was unquestionably struck in Thessalonica, the mint and date of production must be regarded as uncertain.