Constantine I, 307/310-337. Follis (Bronze, 21 mm, 1.72 g, 12 h), Arelate, 313-315. IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG Laureate and cuirassed bust of Constantine I to left, holding spear in his right hand and shield with his left. Rev. PROVIDE-NT-IAE AVGG / QARL The city-goddess of Arelate, turreted, standing front, head to left, holding signum in her left hand and clasping her right with Moneta, standing right on arriving galley and holding cornucopiae in her left hand. Depeyrot, Émissions, 3/4. RIC 30. Extremely rare and of great historical interest. Somewhat rough, otherwise, good fine.


The coins commemorating the transfer in 313 of the mint of Ostia to the new mint of Arles are most interesting. We can be certain that to have - or not to have - a mint was extremely important for a city. In the case of Ostia, Constantine closed the mint after he had defeated Maxentius and transferred its staff and resources to the newly opened mint of Arelate. As such, the reverse of this coin shows Moneta arriving from Ostia in Arelate. This type, with Constantine I on the obverse holding spear and shield, was only struck in officina Q.