Constantine I Dafne Coinage

448, Lot: 530. Estimate $100. Sold for $475. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Constantine I. AD 307/310-337. Æ Follis (19mm, 2.80 g, 4h). Dafne coinage. Constantinople mint, 7th officina. 3rd emission, AD 328-329. CONSTANTI NVS MAX AVG, laurel and rosette-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / CONSTANTINI ANA DAFNE, Victory seated left on cippus, head right, holding branch in each hand; to left, bound captive seated left, head right, at base of trophy; Z|-//CONS*. RIC VII 38 (r³); Speck and Huston Third Issue, 5 (R-3). Silvering toned a dark gray-brown. EF.

Ex CNG Inventory 158082 (August 2005).

McGregor (SAN 1984) in his article Constantiniana Dafne–a different point of view, is quoted by Speck and Huston in their study of this coinage Constantine’s Dafne Coinage at Constantinople, p. 2 “McGregor set out the religious significance of this reverse type–portraying Constantine as Dafne, turning away from the symbols of the pagan religion (Apollo and Sol) toward the palm, symbol of Christianity. It is the first obviously Christian coinage design ever issued at a Roman mint. Its significance at this mint at this time can hardly be misinterpreted–Constantine is announcing to his new city that it is to be a Christian city. The message is local and specific, and it is the only message he presents on the coinage during the entire period of its construction as the new Christian capitol.”