★ Rare ! ★

CONSTANTINE I THE GREAT (07/25/306-05/22/337)Flavius Valerius ConstantinusAugustus (12/25/307-05/22/337) Centenionalis or
Date: 318
Metal: copper
Degree of rarity: UNIQUE
Comments on the state of conservation: An example of exceptional quality for this type of coinage with an exceptional bust on a small thick blank, perfectly centered on both sides. Nice backhand with a little hit weakness on the shield. Magnificent smoothed black patina.
Obverse legend: IMP CONSTANT-INVS AVG.
Obverse description: Helmeted, draped and armored bust of Constantine I on the left seen from three quarters forward, holding a pole in the right hand and a shield decorated with a rider in the left hand; the helmet decorated with the stars of the Dioscuri (E*3).
Obverse translation: “Imperator Constantinus Augustus”, (Emperor Constantine Augustus).
Reverse legend: VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP// (gamma)SIS..
Reverse description: Two Victoires standing, face to face, placing a shield on a cippe on which we read: VOT/PR.
Reverse translation: 'Victoriو Lوtو Principium Perpetuو, Vota Populi Romani', (To the happy and lasting Victory of the prince/Wishes of the Roman People).
Comment about this copy: Helmet richly decorated with two stars surrounded by dots. Studded breastplate. Magnificent shield decorated with a Rider (Constantin) galloping to the right, defeating two soldiers. Looks completely unreleased and unlisted with this bust type.
Comments: A new reform in 318 modified the value of the bronzes which continued to be struck at 1/96 of the pound (3.38 g), but whose value increased from 25 to 100 deniers, which sometimes made them called centenionalis. During this period, a significant number of armored and warrior busts were recorded. With this type of right, only the second, third and fifth pharmacies were used out of a total of five pharmacies for the Siscia workshop. On the reverse, one of the Victories written on a shield VOT PR (Vota Populi Romani) which can easily be translated as 'The Vows of the Roman People'. This reverse commemorates the ten years of Constantine's reign.
History: Constantine was born in 274, son of Constance Chlore and Helene. He was named Caesar on the death of his father on July 25, 306 and was proclaimed Augustus on December 25, 307. He married Fausta, the daughter of Maximian Hercules, who gave him five children, three of whom were Augustus. The first twenty years of his reign were devoted to establishing himself as principal august against Maximian Hercules, Galerius, Maxentius, Maximin II and Licinius. He is recognized as the first Christian emperor, although only baptized on his deathbed on May 22, 337.

Weight: 2,9 gr
Diameter: 18,4 mm