Constantine I VICTORIA AETERNA AVG N from Arles

[Victor]

this one just sold in Leu

Constantine I, 307/310-337. Follis (Bronze, 20 mm, 3.00 g, 7 h), Arelate, 315-316. IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantine I to right. Rev. VICTORIA A-ETERNA AVG N / S - F / PARL Victory standing right, placing her right foot on podest of column and inscribing shield set on column with VOT / X / MVL / XX; to left, captive with bound hands seated to left. http://www.notinric.lechstepniewski.info/7arl-70.html. RIC -. Of the highest rarity, the second and by far the best known example. Nearly extremely fine.

[Nikko]

2500€ 

[Victor]

Yes, the price got expensive. I was the underbidder and did not mind that I did not win.

[Heliodromus]

I was watching the auction live - seems a lots of high bids (Constantinopolis 500 CHF+). It was interesting to hear the auctioneer say "thank you", or "thank you very much" after certain lots, seemingly in accordance with the level of exuberance of the winning bidder!

I didn't bid on this one since I was going for a different lot.

Leu was one step ahead of Lech here - they linked his listing of another specimen same type from Nummus Bible:

http://www.forumancientcoins.com/notInRic/7arl-70.html

It actually dffers from RIC 70 in more than just the captive - victory standing with shield on altar vs seated, and different VOT X MVL XX vs VO-TIS XX legend on shield.

The Arles PARL S-F mark is securely dated to his 4th consulship in 315, so these are celebrating his decennalia: VOT X soluta, VOT XX suscepta (same as VOTIS X, VOTIS XX on arch of Constantine)

Here's VIenna's RIC 70.

[Victor]

I won my other four Leu bids...one was ridiculously expensive (lot 1740 for 850), but I thought one was ridiculously cheap (lot 1735 for 480). The other two were merely normal expensive.

[Heliodromus]

1740 is a stunning coin though - awesome condition, and very attractive.

[Victor]

Yes, I have been looking for an example in awesome condition and I am quite happy to add it to my collection. I would have priced it much lower (the estimate of 250 CHF was low, as estimates usually are), but knew it would hammer for more and even had more meat left on the bone for my max bid. I have many coins (as I am sure you and others do also) that I "overpaid" for, but they are always coins that I think are special. Eventually, I will make a separate post for that coin and my other recent pickups.

[Nikko]

Lot 1735 sold for 1500 chf, not very expensive

The obverse looks a little smoothed

[Victor]

Lot 1735 sold for 1500 chf, not very expensive

Well, I was confused. I thought that the auctions were over (mainly because on my Leu bids it said that bidding was over)...apparently, I did not win anything.

I think I only won the Dafne now and yes, it might be smoothed.

edit-- I found out from someone that Leu only showed prebids and then live bidding was on Biddr, so when I thought bidding was complete, live bidding had only just begun. Oh well, not the first time I have been disappointed and I am sure it will not be the last. 

[Nikko]

Don’t be disappointed. This one looks smoothed and tooled. In recent times a few of this extreme rare coin appears in the market, but it’s relatively easy to transform a common DAFNE with legend in this rarer type.

[Nikko]

Don’t be disappointed. This one looks smoothed and tooled. In recent times a few of this extreme rare coin appears on the market, but it’s relatively easy to transform a common DAFNE with legend in this rarer type....