|
ID: |
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Z7509 |
| Type: |
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Roman Imperial |
| Issuer: |
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City Commemoratives |
| Date Ruled: |
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A.D. 330-346
|
| Metal: |
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Silver |
| Denomination: |
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1/3 Siliqua or 1 Scripulum |
| Struck / Cast: |
|
struck |
| Date Struck: |
|
AD 330 |
| Diameter: |
|
13 mm |
| Weight: |
|
0.98 g |
| Obverse Legend: |
|
Anepigraphic |
| Obverse Description: |
|
Helmeted and draped bust of Constantinopolis in armor right, wearing pearl necklace and earrings |
| Reverse Legend: |
|
Anepigraphic |
| Reverse Description: |
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Large K |
| Mint Mark: |
|
K |
| Mint: |
|
Constantinople |
| Primary Reference: |
|
Bendall Type 8a |
| Reference2: |
|
Vagi 3051 |
| Photograph Credit: |
|
Beast Coins |
| Source: |
|
http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/beastcoins/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=9183 |
| Price Sold For: |
|
425 USD |
|
Grade:
|
|
Nice gVF |
| Notes: |
|
This series has been generally ignored in the major references as there has been a great deal of uncertainty as to when, where and why it was produced. David Vagi tackled it to a degree in his work Coinage and History of the Roman Empire, Volumes I and II, written in 1999, on pages 528-529. Vagi notes the K represents the city of Constantinople, whereas the other coin in this series has a P or R to represent Rome. Vagi dates this coin as perhaps 330 with its purpose being the dedication of the city. Other scholars have dated this series to the 5th and 6th centuries, corresponding with the centennial and bicentennial celebrations in Constantinople. Vagi proposes the examples in fine style with compact devices in high relief, such as this example, could be from 330, with the coarse, low relief examples having been produced later in the 5th and 6th centuries as commemoratives during the corresponding city anniversaries.
In 2002, Simon Bendall, in his article appearing in Volume 158 of Revue Numismatique, pages 139-159, really analyzed this enigmatic series and proposed the following:
Summary - "Anonymous silver coins of the 4th-6th c., partly neglected by major modern reference works, are assembled and completed by some unpublished types from recent hoards dispersed on the market. They are related to similar bronze issues (Populus Romanus etc.) and a provisory dating is proposed. These series were issued: 1st Roma or Constantinopolis / K or P, 330; 2nd Star / Wreath, 300; 3rd series inspired from the first with either K, R, CV, T or var. on the reverse, whose various issues date to 430?; 530 ff., ca 530-580+". Note - the P is the Greek equivalent to R for Rome.
Bendall writes "There has been little dispute regarding the dating of the five types listed below, most authorities considering them as having some connection with the foundation of Constantinople." |
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