Lot 2940

Description

Constantine I, (A.D. 307-337), AE follis, issued 314-315, London mint, (2.96 g), obv. laureate cuirassed bust to right of Constantine, around IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG, rev. radiate and draped bust of Sol to left, raising right hand and holding globe, around SOLI INVIC TO COMITI, S - P across MSN mint mark, (cf.S.16054, RIC 68 var., Toone [Num. Circ July 2009] p.106) (illustrated); together with another (3.15 g) Alexandria mint rev. IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG, with eagle, (S.15963); Theodosius I, (379-395), (1.31 g), half centenionalis, Alexandria mint, rev. SALVS REI PVBLICAE, Victory advancing left, (S.20563). First coin, good very fine and very rare (see note below), second coin nearly extremely fine, last fine. (3)

Ex M. J. Syddell Collection, acquired from Brighton in September 1970 for the first coin, Seaby 1959 for the second coin, last coin at Charing Cross, April 1976.
Lee Toone as noted above, reports a similar issue for Licinius I with similar marks and mint mark. Initially it was thought to be an error made by the coin designer but Toone noted from the Appleford hoard find of a single coin of Constantine like described above (now in the Ashmolean Museum), a second example in the name of Licinius was in the same hoard (now in the Fitzwilliam Museum). However a second Constantine was found in the Waddington Hoard (now in the BM), a further example was discussed on French website in 2007 (present location unknown). This very rare variant makes it the 4th known example and the only listed privately owned example.