Sale: Triton VIII, Lot: 1250. Estimate $2000.  Closing Date: Monday, 10 January 2005.  Sold For $4250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CONSTANTINOPOLIS. AR Third Siliqua (1.07 gm, 12h). Constantinople mint. Struck under Constantine I, circa 330 AD. Helmeted and draped bust of Constantinopolis left / Large K within beaded border. RIC VII -; Bendall 1; RSC -; Vagi 3051. Superb EF, slight edge chip, attractive iridescent toning. Extremely rare; only three specimens cited by Bendall. ($2000)

From the Malcolm W. Heckman Collection.

S. Bendall offers a tentative typology and chronology for the confusing and little studied late Roman anonymous silver fractions. He accepts the generally agreed conclusion that the earliest, finest style issues were struck for the occasion of the formal dedication of the new capital of Constantinople on 11 May 330. At this time the first Roma head series was struck, as well as the female bust types that probably represent one or more of the prominent women associated with the family of Constantine. Bendall further analyses stylistic variations and reported hoard finds, and suggests that further issues in the series appeared on the anniversary dates of the founding, in 430 and 530 AD, and in addition that variations continued to be struck for other events during the reign of Justinian I, all celebrating his re-conquest of Italy.