Posted 01/24/2017 1:41 pm
Paul,
I am with you on your association of the early obverse inscription (IMP C CON....) and the mint at Arelate, so I would read the mm as "SARL". The B5 bust type saw plenty of use at Arelate.
I have not turned up this reverse in my references so far.
For the reverse type beginning with the word VICTORIA Brunn lists the following description in RIC VII for VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM: "Emperor stg. l in military dress, holding transverse spear, globe in r. hand; behind, Victory holding branch, crowning emperor" That is very far from this scene as I see it, but is the closest description for such an inscription he gives in RIC VII.
If I am interpreting the imagery correctly, neither in RIC VII nor in his earlier work on Constantinian coins of Arelate does Brunn describe this scene. For the inscription I can make out only "VICTORIA" but none of the reverse legends that start that way are paired with this scene which I would describe as Emperor stg. l. holding spear in l. hand and extending his right hand low to receive branch from Victory adv. r. holding branch and (her left hand is raised but empty?). The space between them is confusing. I think it could be a captive at feet of Victory facing emperor and kneeling on left knee with right foot forward holding some offering toward the emperor. But I cannot be sure it is not merely a confused arrangement of her skirt, knee, and feet.
Before we jump on the "new discovery" bandwagon it would be good to get some better sense of what the reverse type is, its actual inscription, and how it may have been associated with Constantine at this time (circa 313). Interesting problem.
I am with you on your association of the early obverse inscription (IMP C CON....) and the mint at Arelate, so I would read the mm as "SARL". The B5 bust type saw plenty of use at Arelate.
I have not turned up this reverse in my references so far.
For the reverse type beginning with the word VICTORIA Brunn lists the following description in RIC VII for VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM: "Emperor stg. l in military dress, holding transverse spear, globe in r. hand; behind, Victory holding branch, crowning emperor" That is very far from this scene as I see it, but is the closest description for such an inscription he gives in RIC VII.
If I am interpreting the imagery correctly, neither in RIC VII nor in his earlier work on Constantinian coins of Arelate does Brunn describe this scene. For the inscription I can make out only "VICTORIA" but none of the reverse legends that start that way are paired with this scene which I would describe as Emperor stg. l. holding spear in l. hand and extending his right hand low to receive branch from Victory adv. r. holding branch and (her left hand is raised but empty?). The space between them is confusing. I think it could be a captive at feet of Victory facing emperor and kneeling on left knee with right foot forward holding some offering toward the emperor. But I cannot be sure it is not merely a confused arrangement of her skirt, knee, and feet.
Before we jump on the "new discovery" bandwagon it would be good to get some better sense of what the reverse type is, its actual inscription, and how it may have been associated with Constantine at this time (circa 313). Interesting problem.
