Triton XV, Lot: 1558. Estimate $7500. Sold for $18500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Constantine I. AD 307/310-337. AV Solidus (17mm, 4.31 g, 6h). Arelate (Arles) mint, 2nd officina. Struck April-May AD 313. CONSTANTI NVS P F AVG, laureate head right / PRINCIPIS PRO VIDENTISSIMI, owl perched left on column inscribed SA/PI/EN/TIA in four lines; on ground to left, helmet; to right, shield and spear; SARL. RIC VII 1; Alföldi 423; Ferrando 12-13 var. (officina); Depeyrot, Émissions 2/1; Depeyrot 1/1; Calicó -. Good VF, a few light marks. Extremely rare.

Only on coins of Constantine I and Licinius I is the legend SAPIENTIA, “wisdom,” found. The owl perched on the altar symbolizes wisdom. PRINCIPIS PROVIDENTISSIMI literally means “of the far-sighted Princeps,” again, lauding the wisdom of the emperor.