Constantine I, 307/310-337. Follis (Bronze, 21 mm, 3.19 g, 5 h), a contemporary imitation of an issue from Arelate. Irregular mint, after 327. CONSTA-NTINVS A Laureate head of Constantine I to right. Rev. VIRTV-S AVGG / S - F / ARLS. Campgate with open doors and four turrets; above, star. Cf. RIC 313 (for prototype). A very interesting overstrike. Traces of overstriking, otherwise, good very fine.



This imitation was overstruck on an official coin, with obverse and reverse types being switched. The profile of the portrait of the undertype appears on the left side of the camp gate, while the obverse features a seated prisoner to the right, above which part of the mint mark is visible. The undertype is an IOVI CONSERVATORI coin from Alexandria, likely RIC VII #30 (Licinius II). Licinius' coin had been invalidated in Constantine's realm, but by overstriking it with a western type, the unofficial mint increased its value from 0 to 1, allowing it to re-enter circulation.