Ave!

Constantine I, Barbarous Imitation, VLPP type!

Æ3; 19mm/3.1gm    Struck ca. early 4th Century?

Con/ About Very Fine for the type; dark brown and green patina. Typically blundered legends and details...or are they?

Okay, this is what the coin should be, or similar:

OBV/ IMP CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG; laur. helmeted and cuir. bust r.

REV/ VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINCE PERP; twin Victories holding a shield inscribed with VOT PR on an altar inscribed with a letter or symbol.

Very close, but no cookie! Ha ha!

Ref/ None

Seller's Note/ We suspect there were two German die-cutters who created this issue, one for either side. The obverse celator had some of grasp of Latin letters and did a worthy job, all things considered, as he was most likely semi-illiterate at best. The fellow who cut the reverse die was much better as he managed to use Latin letters and semi-correct spelling, including the BSIS in the exergue and that is truly uncommon! A charming example worthy of even the most discriminating collector. See the second photo if you are not familiar with the type.

Back in the day, such issues were referred to as 'Barbarous" or simply a "Barb".

The new PC term is now Contemporary Imitation, because somewhere along the line, it was thought that calling the Germanic tribes who struck these issues "barbarians" was disrespectful. Go figure...