RIC VII, ARLES [before 286], CONSTANTIUS II, UNLISTED ISSUE [P crescent AR]

OBVERSE	FLIVLCONSTANTIVSNOBC [FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C]; bust r., laur., dr., cuir., seen from back.
REVERSE	VIRTVS-CAESS [VIRTVS CAESS]; gateway with four turrets, no doors, varying number of stone layers, star above. Q crescent AR in exergue.
NOT IN RIC	UNLISTED ISSUE. Issue with m.m. P crescent AR is not attested in RIC, but cf. ARLES 264-279 with similar m.m. except for star instead of crescent (p. 263-264). Note, however, that Virtus Augg type was not introduced in Arles till the next issue (ARLES 291-297) (p. 265) and with slightly different rev.: "wide open doors of varying design". Therefore this issue could be regarded as an ancient imitation. Otherwise, should be listed before ARLES 286. See also: ARLES [before 286], CONSTANTINE I, UNLISTED ISSUE [P crescent AR] ARLES [before 286], CRISPUS, UNLISTED ISSUE [P crescent AR]

NOTES

Weight 2.81 g; diameter 20 mm. Sold on eBay in July 2019 for USD 17.35. Ex Genio popvli romani. Ex Lars Ramskold. Sold on Leu Numismatik web auction 26 (lot 5177) in July 2023 for CHF 500. Other specimens: - sold on eBay in January 2022 for EUR 32.55; weight 2.91 g; diameter 19 mm [click for picture] [Thanks to the collaboration of Paweł Kubiczek].