Constantine I, 307/310-337. Follis (Bronze, 18 mm, 2.28 g, 6 h), Antiochia, July 326. Laureate head of Constantine I to right.
Rev. CONSTAN/TINVS / AVG / SMANTZ in four lines; above, laurel wreath; below, pellet. RIC 57. A very attractive example with a beautiful dark brown patina and a fine portrait. About extremely fine.
From the collection of Dr. L. Ramskold, privately acquired from Leu on 17 July 1995.
The second dynastic bronze emission of Antioch was struck in several stages. Crispus was included from the start, but production for him was cut short when the news of his fall reached the city, and the relatively small number of coins known for him may indicate that the authorities did their best to withdraw them from circulation. With Crispus excluded, a reorganization of the officinae took place and the bust sizes for the Caesars were changed. At present, Dr. Ramskold's database includes 74 examples for Crispus, compared to 421 for Constantine I, 244 for Constantine Caesar, and 313 for Constantius. The list of six officinae for RIC 57 is essentially correct, except for a very small output from officina Δ, unknown to Bruun.
