RIC VII, SISCIA [after 108], CONSTANTINE I, UNLISTED ISSUE [FIDIS MILITVM]

OBVERSE	CONSTANT-INVSAVG [CONSTANTINVS AVG]; bust l., high-crested helmet, cuir. spear across r. shoulder, shield on l. arm.
REVERSE	FIDISM-ILITVM [FIDIS (sic!) MILITVM]; camp gate with three turrets, no doors. Γ(?)SIS• in exergue.
NOT IN RIC	UNLISTED ISSUE. In RIC VII rev. legend FIDIS MILITVM is attested only for one issue struck in Rome for Constantine II [RIC VII ROME 376, silver]. The portrait style is undoubtedly Siscian and bust type [H12 l.] was in use there from 318 to 320 on VLPP issues. Obverse fits well to this period, also mintmark ASIS• is not impossible (if right read). The main problem is the reverse type, because the first coins with camp gate (two turrets only!) were struck in Siscia at 324 [RIC VII SISCIA 183-186]. Coin may be regarded as an ancient imitation. Otherwise, should be listed somewhere after SISCIA 108.

NOTES

From Victor Failmezger's collection (no. 274 in RBC); photo by Doug Smith.