Double-headed coin Constantinus I, Rome 297–302 A.D.
References: Vaux, W. S. W. “On a discovery of Roman coins, in the Parish of Little Malvern, Worcestershire”, The Numismatic Chronicle and Journal of the Numismatic Society, vol. 11, 1848, pp. 19–39; Cohen, H., Description historique des monnaies frappées sous l̕Empire romain communément appellées, médailles imperials, Vol. 7, Paris: Rollin & Feuardent, 1892; Crawford, M. H., “Control-Marks and the Organization of the Roman Republican Mint”, Papers of the British School at Rome 34, 1966, pp. 18–23; Grueber, H. A., Coins of the Roman Republic in the British Museum: vol. 1 aes rude, aes signatum, aes grave, and coinage of Rome from B.C. 268, London: British Museum, 1970; Crawford, M. H., Roman Republican Coinage, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1974; Robertson, A. S., Roman Imperial Coins in the Hunter Coin Cabinet, University of Glasgow: V, Diocletian (Reform) to Zeno, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1982; Sutherland, C. H. V., Carson, R. A. G., The Roman Imperial Coinage, vol. 6: from Diocletian's reform (AD 294) to the death of Maximinus (AD 313), Spink and Son Ltd, London, 1967.
Coin well centered, double headed observe and reserve; beading mainly visible on obverse. On the obverse of this coin, consular bust of Constantinus I: laureate head, draped and cuirassed bust facing right. At his sides, the inscription CONSTANTINVS P F AVG. Obverse translation: “Constatine Pius Felix Augustus”. On the reverse is inscribed SOLI INVICTO COMITI; reverse translation: “to the unconquered Sun, minister [of the Emperor]”. Radiate draped bust of Sol right.
Date: 297–302 AD.
Parallels: very similar examples London, British Museum 1927,0616.503, 1990,1102.14, 1994,0915.621, B.559, B.560, compare with 1864,1128.192; New York, American Numismatic Society 1944.100.6049; compare with Philadelphia, Penn Museum 29-126-1178.
Photo by Steve Morton