★ An exceptional overstrike ★

Maxentius, 307-312. Follis (Silvered bronze, 26 mm, 6.32 g, 6 h), Rome, 311-312. IMP C MAXENTIVS P F AVG Laureate head of Maxentius to right. Rev. [FIDES] - MILITVM / [...] Fides standing front, head to left, holding signum in each hand. Drost 140a. RIC 265. Minor deposits on the obverse, otherwise, very fine.

From the collection of Dr. L. Ramskold, formed since 1969.

This exceptional coin was struck with two different reverse types: RIC 258 ('CONSERV VRB SVAE', Roma in hexastyle temple), and RIC 265 ('FIDES MILITVM', Fides standing left, holding standard in each hand). The second die was rotated 180° relative to the first strike. Double strikes with the reverse rotated 180° are not exceptional in itself, but this may be the only known example with two different reverses for a single obverse. Its existence provides several lines of evidence for how Roman coins were produced.