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Roman Emp., Constans, Med. of 1¼ solidi or festaureus

Currency:CHF Category:Coins & Paper Money / Coins: Ancient Start Price:32,000.00 CHF Estimated At:40,000.00 - 50,000.00 CHF
Roman Emp., Constans, Med. of 1¼ solidi or festaureus
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The Roman Empire, Constans caesar, 333 – 337, Medallion of 1 ¼ solidi or festaureus, Constantinopolis 336-337, AV 5.58 g. F L CONSTANS NOB CAES Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. Facing quadriga pulled by galloping horses; in the car, Constans facing, head l., holding eagle-tipped sceptre in l. hand and tossing coins with his r.; in exergue, CONS. RIC 106. C –. Depeyrot –. Alföldi 749. Toynbee pl. 3, 1. Extremely rare. A fascinating issue with a finely detailed reverse composition, good extremely fine Few roman coins possess such an impressive frontal image as in on the reverse of this ceremonial gold coin. Constans is shown standing in a chariot drawn by four rearing horses, engraved in a manner that is decidedly uncommon for Roman coins of any age. The contrary posture of the horse heads is reminiscent, in concept (thought certainly not in style), of the works of the master engravers of the 4th century B.C. Sicily. In this imperial procession the emperor is shown holding an eagle-tipped sceptre (scipio) and tossing coins outwards to what we must presume was an anxious crowd of spectators. The denomination is an anachronism, for by the late 340s the aureus has not been used as currency in the empire for a generation or more. This small medallion weighs approximately 1/60th of a Roman pound, the rate that Diocletian attempted to make standard as part of his currency reform of the early 290s.