RIC VII, ROME [before 287], CONSTANTINE I, UNLISTED ISSUE (OVERSTRIKE) [IRREGULAR COIN]

OBVERSE	CONSTAN-TINVSAVG [CONSTANTINVS AVG]; head r., laur.
REVERSE	VIRTV-SAVGG [VIRTVS AVGG]; camp gate with two turrets, no doors; varying number of stone layers. R wreath T in exergue.
NOT IN RIC	UNLISTED ISSUE. RIC does not list this type with this mintmark. Apparently Constantine's Virtus Augg was overstuck on Licinius' Iovi Conservatori. Remains of an older coin are still visible: LICIN on obverse and ERVAT with distinctive "X" below on reverse. This popular series was minted exclusively in Licinius' domain (see example of CYZICUS 15 from Beast Coins site), so such overstriking, official or not, probably could not be done until Licinius' final defeat. Mintmark R wreath [officina letter] is attested for that time, but appears in 326 only on Providentiae type, although with identical obverse for Constantine (ROME 287). Coin should be listed before ROME 287.

NOTES

Weight 2.0 g; diameter 18-20 mm. Ex Nicola Tammaro. Now in the collection of Tjaart de Beer.