Constantine I, 307/310-337. Follis (Bronze, 23 mm, 3.85 g, 12 h), Rome, 312-313. IMP C CONSTANTINVS P F AVG Laureate and cuirassed bust of Constantine I to right. Rev. RESTITVTO-R VRBIS SVAE / R P Roma seated facing within hexastyle temple, holding globe in her right hand and scepter in her left; at her side, shield; in pediment, wreath. RIC 312. Extremely rare and of great historical interest. Minor traces of corrosion and cleaning, otherwise, very fine.


Among the greatest rarities of Constantinian coinage are the two 'liberation' types struck right after the defeat of Maxentius: one carrying the legend 'RESTITVTOR VRBIS SVAE', the other the legend 'LIBERATORI VRBIS SVAE' (see Leu 5 (2019), 531 for a longer note on the issue). This type, the 'RESTITVTOR VRBIS SVAE', is the rarest. Their rarity today indicates that they were produced in smaller numbers than most of the other contemporary types, and perhaps their production was halted for political reasons.