Constantine I, 307/310-337. Follis (Bronze, 16 mm, 1.33 g, 6 h), a contemporary imitation of an issue from Rome. Uncertain mint in Gaul (?), circa 333-340 (?). Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantine I to right. Rev. CONSTAN/TINVS / AVG / SM[RS] in four lines; above, laurel wreath. Cf. RIC 281 (for prototype). Ramskold, Constantine's vicennalia (2013), p. 424, fig. 5A (this coin). Rare and of unusually fine style. Somewhat rough, otherwise, good very fine.


It is clear that these imitations copy the second dynastic emission of Rome. Although all examples show Constantine wearing a laurel wreath, not a diadem, the mint marks and the reverse legends for the Caesars were clearly based on the second emission because they were not used in the first emission. This proves that these imitations were produced after 328, perhaps to cater to a need of small change, mainly in Gaul and Britain. In fact, the dynastic imitations in the Nether Compton Hoard published by Harlick (2007) strongly indicate a production date after 333, and Zschucke (2000) dated these types to after 335. It is an enigma why the unofficial engravers chose to imitate dynastic bronzes of both Trier (struck in 326) and Rome (struck in 328/329) several years later.