Constantine I; AV Solidus; Trier; 312-313.
Obv. Laureate head of Constantine I to the right. CONSTANTI - NVS P F AVG.
Rv. On a podium adorned with garlands, Constantine I sitting on a curule chair to the left, behind him stand two soldiers, each holding two spears, in front of the podium, three Barbarians raising their hands toward the emperor. FELI[C]ITAS REIPVBLICAE around, PTR in the exergue.
Gold, 4.64 g, 17.5 mm (21.5 mm with the attached loop), 6h. RIC VI p. 221 no. 810; Alföldi tab. IV no. 14; see. Depeyrot 17/1 – 17/2 (FELICITAS REI-PVBLICAE).
Grade: Near VF.
A very rare variety with the reverse legend written continuously. At 12h on the obverse, there is an attached loop. It sometimes happens that the two figures standing behind Constantine are identified as lictors with fasces, or even as the emperor's sons. The small figures in front of the podium are likely barbarian captives paying homage, as they are sometimes seen with their hands bound behind their backs, e.g., a specimen from the Münzkabinett der Staatlichen Museen, Berlin, inventory no. 18229617. Alföldi dates this issue to the years 307-315.
