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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,531 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1314 Posts |
Could use a little information, as I am not so good with ancients. I believe this is a follis (20.6 mm) of Constantine I. Obverse: IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG Reverse: SOLI INVICTO COMITI M F SARL What does this information mean? Particularly MF and SARL? Can we narrow the minting date to something closer than 307-337? Thanks a bunch.   |
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Valued Member
Netherlands
409 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1314 Posts |
Thanks. Lots of information, I may find what I'm looking for.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
This site will help when decoding coin legends: http://cointranslator.com/I'll leave you to do the main ones but will help you with SARL and MF as they are slightly different. SARL stands for Secunda Arles, this means your coin was struck in the 2nd workshop at the Arles (France) mint. M F is just a series mark, the mint had to keep track of the coins they made so they would place marks in the fields to make this easier, a number of variations exist. A number of theories exist to try and explain these marks usually revolving around mottos of the day but all at present are just theories. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Oh, and yes, you can narrow the minting date for your coin, it was minted in 316AD  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1314 Posts |
Thanks a lot Bobby. My younger Brother (57) just got married. Both he and his bride are Christians. Neither needs a new toaster. I got this coin in an ebay lot about 10 years ago. It was to help pass the time as I recovered from a motorcycle accident. I recovered before I finished my research, and since have moved to Morgans. I thought they might like this one framed. I'll include large pictures of obverse and reverse as well as a history of the coin and Constantine the great. Have "To my companion the invincible sun." Just need some more exacting definitions of Imperator, Prefectorate and August. I may not have those correct, but I've got plenty of places to start my hunt. Thanks again. This exercise may move me in a new direction. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3442 Posts |
The reverse type is standard for this period for both Licinius I and Constantine I had divided the empire. After the chaos of the preceding decade (following the abdications of Diocletian and Maximianus) the 'new' regimes set about making sure that the past would not be repeated. The cult of 'Sol Invicto' was the official State religion and believed to have been extremely popular with the common soldiers who would have been the primary recipients of the coinage.
The title of IMP (Imperator) is the word of which we translate as 'Emperor'.
P F is usually interpreted as short for PIVS FELIX (both names had been adopted by many earlier emperors).
AVG (Augustus) is simply the name of the first emperor to which all following emperors adopted themselves as being heir.
The coinage of Constantine is basically attuned to the pagan themes common to the times. They generally honor the 'troops' (GLORIA EXERCITVS etc). Some people like to read into the Sun god theme as being indicative of something more. But it was the State religion and the fact that it was shared by the co-emperor Licinius seems to discount the idea.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1314 Posts |
Thanks for all the help, and here are the results.   In addition to the framed coin with picture card, I included a folder with a legend for the coin inscriptions, a history of Constantine and some blown up photos of the coin. All of this was new to me, but it was really fun learning. Especially the post shoot machinations. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Good job Chute, stick with us on the 'dark side', plenty of fun to be had decoding ancients  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1314 Posts |
Thanks Bobby. I dabbled briefly in Ancients about 10 years ago. I hit a deer while riding my motorcycle and was stuck at home looking for something to do. I got a lot of about 2 dozen uncleaned coins off ebay, and did some gentle cleaning as we soaked in a hot tub. Upon recovery, I set them aside. I think I have another Constantine (VOWs) that is good enough to attribute. Maybe I should start with that one. |
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,531 |
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Posted 09/05/2014 04:23 am
