RIC VII, CONSTANTINOPLE [after 12], CONSTANTINE I, UNLISTED OBVERSE LEGEND (ANCIENT/MODERN IMITATION?)

OBVERSE	CONSTAN-TINVSAVG [CONSTANTINVS AVG]; head r., laur.
REVERSE	SPES-PVBLIC [SPES PVBLIC]; rev. legend across field; labarum, with three medallions on drapery and crowned by Christogram, pierces serpent. A in left field. CONS in exergue.
NOT IN RIC	UNLISTED OBVERSE LEGEND. RIC lists for this type only longer obv. legend CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG [CONSTANTINOPLE 19 and 26]. Shorter legend was in use earlier [CONSTANTINOPLE 7] so the present specimen possibly belongs here. But note that such official issue probably does not exist. All known specimens seem to be ancient or modern imitations.

NOTES

Weight 2.99 g. Coin offered on Auktionshaus H. D. Rauch GmbH auction in September 2007 for EUR 1,200, but withdrawn from sale. Other specimens: - specimen offered on Gorny & Mosch auction in October 2009 for EUR 1,000 and also withdrawn from sale; weight 2.17 g [click for picture]; - specimen sold as "barbarous imitation" on Classical Numismatic Group auction in May 2002 for $2050; weight 1.19 g; diameter 13 mm [click for picture]; - specimen offered on Artemide Aste in December 2007 for EUR 800 (unsold); sold on ARtemide Aste in October 2008 for EUR 700; note that Christogram resembles a star or a fourfold loop; weight 2.93 g [click for picture].