Constantine I, PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS, Lyons mint

[Nikko]

A new entry for my Lugdunum series.
Bust type A (laureate and cuirassed) is not attested for obv. legend 3a (p. 260). Listed in Bastien Lyon I (p. 234, no. 465).
22 mm x 6,96 gr
Lech recorded a few specimen.

http://www.notinric.lechstepniewski.info/6lug-244.html

[Heliodromus]

I have to wonder if RIC 244 is an error and should be LC rather than LDC.

RIC only cites the BM for RIC 244, but the BM has no such coin online. The OCRE website only shows what I'd regard as an LC bust to illustrate RIC 244, although it does also link to a page for the BM coin without any photo.

http://numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.6.lug.244

Here's another LC specimen, sold in G&M 299.

 

I wonder if that little fold of drapery (or what is it?) on the far right shoulder might be why this was called an LDC bust, if it's perhaps not just an error?

There do exist unlisted LDC busts for Constantine as augustus in this issue (for other reverse types), but they are very rare (a carry over from Constantine as caesar). Even if the BM coin is a real LDC bust, it's atypical, with LC & LDCR busts being normal for this issue.

Incidentally, I see that Not In RIC notes that RIC VI Lyons 250 (Concordia Perpet) is an error - citing the BM for this LC bust when in fact the BM coin is LDCR. Maybe Carson and Sutherland had enjoyed a few too many British pints before cataloging these coins ? 

[Nikko]

Hello Ben, thanks for your reply. I checked in my “Bastien” (I should do it before 😓) and I realized that RIC 244 really exist. A few specimen are in the plates.
Bastien also reported the LC bust as not in RIC

[Lech Stępniewski]

It is not-so-rare situation when unlisted variety (LUGDUNUM [before 244]) is more common than variety listed in RIC (LUGDUNUM 244). Now I see that I should add info that LUGDUNUM 244 really exists.

The thing on the far right shoulder is probably a some kind of loop but sometimes is described as a fold of drapery. Could be confusing when one decides to call such bust cuirassed and draped.

BTW, nice coin Nikko. Congratulations!