Gemini III, January 9th, 2007

      Lot # 460 - Auction is closed.Estimate: US$25000 / Price 
      Realized: US$19000 
      Constantine I. Silver medallion of four siliquae, 39 mm 

 

Constantine I. (307-337 AD). Silver medallion of four siliquae, 39 
mm (12.87 gm). Thessalonica, c. 336 AD. AVGVSTVS, head of 
Constantine I right, wearing rosette and laurel-leaf diadem with 
four wreath ties / CAESAR within laurel wreath with four wreath 
ties, two above the knot and two below; TSE in exergue. RIC 221, 
citing a single specimen: Leu/NFA, 16 October 1984, Garrett Part II, 
338 = Naville VIII, 25 June 1924, Bement, 1495 = J. Hirsch XXIX, 9 
November 1910, 1410 (from the same obverse die as our coin). 
Apparently only the second known specimen of this medallion from the 
mint of Thessalonica. Possessing an impressive later portrait. Mint 
state. 

For the date of the remarkable anonymous issue of silver medallions 
to which our piece belongs, see H.A. Cahn, Der spatromische 
Silberschatz von Kaiseraugst, p. 356: “In a magisterial article, J. 
Lafaurie, RN 1949, 39 ff., dated this issue to the years 335-337 and 
refuted earlier attempted interpretations, in particular the 
placement of the issue under Constantius II and Gallus Caesar….The 
occasion of the issue, according to Lafaurie, was the vicennalian 
celebration of Constantine II Caesar on 1 March 336.”. 


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  ... Lot 460 sold for high bid of $19000 [ $21850, or approx 16890.05 EUR, 11143.5 GBP including the 15% buyers fee.] 


Re-used by permission of Harlan J Berk (www.harlanjberk.com) and
 Freeman & Sear (www.freemanandsear.com)