★ An extremely rare aureus of Constantine I from Treveri ★

Constantine I, 307/310-337. Solidus (Gold, 19 mm, 4.39 g, 5 h), Treveri, late 314-early 315. CONSTAN-TINVS P F AVG Laureate head of Constantine I to right. Rev. P M TRIB P COS IIII P P PROCOS / PTR Constantine, togate, seated to left on curule chair, holding globe in his right hand and a short scepter with his left. Depeyrot 21/5 (1 specimen). RIC 21. An extremely rare variety. Lustrous, very well struck and with a bold portrait. Faint surface marks , otherwise, good extremely fine.

We know from the Codex Theodosianus that Constantine was in Trier on 30 December 314 (Cod. Theod. 1.2.1), where he celebrated the accession to his fourth consulship (RIC 12: FELIX PROCESSVS COS IIII AVG N). Based on what he considered to be a 'later portrait', Bruun believed the present issue to be from later in 315 (RIC 18 note), but the portrait styles do in fact overlap and it is very likely that it was also struck for distribution on Constantine's processus consularis in the city on 1 January 315.