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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,853 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1045 Posts |
Hello friends, I recently won this coin at auction from a Spanish seller on ebay. The mantra "a coin is only worth what a person is willing to pay for it" is certainly true in this case. Clearly, another bidder wanted this coin as badly as I did. I have heard many times that RIC rarity ratings are outdated and irrelevant, but, be that as it may, this coin is rated as an R5 and I can't find another example anywhere. I would appreciate seeing another example if someone can find one for me. Minted after Constantine left northern Italy, after he defeated Licinius in the second civil war, and towards the end of production at the Ticinum mint. The change in reverse legend from the usual PROVIDENTIAE AVGG is curious to me as it only appears on the campgates at Ticinum. RIC VII 205, Ticinum, 326-327?
Obverse: CONSTAN-TINVS AVG, Laureate head right
Reverse: DN CONSTANTINI MAX AVG, Campgate with six levels, dots in top level, two turrets w/star between, Q palmbranch T in exergue
18-18.5mm, 3.2grams, 180 degree die axisGeneral comments and/or any other pertinent info on this coin greatly appreciated. Regards, -Kurt  Edited by Biancasdad
05/15/2013 5:54 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Lovely! I can see why you wanted it. Never seen one with that legend and a nice mintmark - even an interesting campgate.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
Hi Biancasdad
Real nice coin. Great sand patina too, I think your fond of those, as am I.
I think some RIC rarity ratings still stand and it's great to see one that you know there aren't a lot of around.
Congrats.
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Valued Member
United States
325 Posts |
Congrats on your rare RIC coin
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Beautiful rare coin, with excellent detail and patina. Nice addition to your collection.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
549 Posts |
  The reverse legend is rare. In the 1980s I saw a couple in the $200-300 range. I didn't think it was worth that kind of money then. Although the type as a whole (not just mintmark varieties) is rare, it is more common than "r5" would imply. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1045 Posts |
Thanks for all of the comments folks. Augustus, from searching the net it seems that the RIC 198 with crescent mint marks are definitely more common. The palm leaf mint marks, RIC 205, especially the Q officina is hard to find. I posted on FORVM and some members posted their similar examples. A specialist in rare Constantines posted what may be the finest known example of RIC 205 with the Q palm T mint mark. Thread here: http://www.forumancientcoins.com/bo...en#msg551567Cheers, -Kurt PS. Your coin is a real beauty! Edited by Biancasdad
05/16/2013 08:33 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4981 Posts |
that is one GREAT looking campgate!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3229 Posts |
That is a fantastic coin! I really dig the palm branch; makes the whole motif more rich! Sand patina rocks!  |
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,853 |
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Posted 05/15/2013 7:20 pm
