Ave!

Constantius I, Follis, Horseback reverse, Rare, Look!

Æ 28mm/9.4gm    struck ca. 305-306 AD

CON/ Very Fine, see Seller's Note below

OBV/ IMP CONSTANTIVS PF AVG; laur. helmeted and cuir bust left, holding shield in l. hand and spear across shoulder in r. hand

REV/ VIRTVS AV-GG ET CAESS NN; Prince, with shield on l. arm, galloping r. and

spearing  kneeling  foeman; second foeman prostrate on ground beneath

Aquileia Mint - AQS in exergue

REF/ RIC VOL VI, 66a = Rare

Seller's Note/ The rich and glossy red and green patina on this coin is truly remarkable. Over 30 years and we've never seen anything like it; very much like the crackled glaze seen on centuries-old oil paintings. On the reverse, like an optical illusion, the mounted prince appears to be exploding off the surface. Wow!

At the time this extraordinary issue was stuck, Constantius was ill and dying and his son, Constantine, had yet to be elevated to the rank of Augustus. The 'young prince' in the reverse description is Constantine I.