Constantine I, as Caesar, 306-309. Follis (Bronze, 25 mm, 5.98 g, 6 h), a contemporary imitation of an issue from Treveri, irregular mint, after 306. IL VΛ CONSTΛNTINVS NOB CIII Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantine I to right. Rev. GENIO POPV-LI ROMΛNI / S - F / TR The Genius of the Roman people, nude but for chlamys, standing front, head to left, holfing patera in his right hand and cornucopiae in his left. Cf. RIC 661b (for possible prototype). Very rare. Good very fine.


This a very rare, high quality contemporary imitation. The obverse legend shows some spelling errors and the bust is a bit crudely engraved; the mint mark lacks an officina letter; the weight is too low for similar official issues. And interestingly, the obverse is a die match to a coin in the KHM in Vienna (which has the mint mark 'S/A/PTR'). Such imitations from this period are very unusual, much rarer than the official coins, especially when struck on good metal and a full flan as in this case.