Constantine I VLPP from Siscia holding something unusual

[Victor]

This coin is an otherwise normal VLPP except for what Constantine appears to be holding in his left hand. On the billon Trier VLPP issues, Constantine is usually holding what looks like a mappa; but on the later bronze issues, it is not so clear-- maybe holding something...maybe not. On this coin, it looks like he is holding something (though the object is at his fingertips) more like a sceptre. Perhaps just sloppy engraving or a mistake.

auction description --

Constantine I. AD 307/310-337. Æ Follis (18mm, 2.98 g, 12h). Siscia mint, 1st officina. Struck AD 318-319. Cuirassed bust left, wearing high-crested helmet, holding spear over shoulder / Two Victories standing facing one another, holding shield inscribed VOT/PR in two lines over decorated altar; ASIS. RIC VII 55. Green patina, earthen deposits. Good VF. Rare.

Reportedly ex Hoffman Collection.


...anyone know who Hoffman is?

[Victor]

on this example it looks like a parazonium (dagger with eagle head pommel), with a pretty clear beak and you can just make out the eye of the eagle.

Constantine I (307/310-337). Æ Follis (19mm, 3.07g, 6h). Siscia, 318-9. Helmeted and draped bust l., holding spear over r. shoulder, shield on l. arm. R/ Two Victories holding shield inscribed VOT/PR in two lines over altar; ΓSIS. RIC VII 55. EF

[Heliodromus]

Very hard to tell. On most of the Trier billion this detail isn't clear either.

However, here's one (not my coin) where he does seem to be holding something similar.

[Victor]

I've always thought that the Trier coins were showing mappas. I guess the issue is that sometimes the engravers were sloppy or not entirely sure what they were engraving.

[six2ten]

Reportedly ex Hoffman Collection.

...anyone know who Hoffman is?

Perhaps Jesse Hoffman, he sold his LRB collection via Forum quite awhile ago (I bought at least one). I don't think he has been active since

[Victor]

Perhaps Jesse Hoffman, he sold his LRB collection via Forum quite awhile ago (I bought at least one). I don't think he has been active since

Thanks, I haven't heard of him (I was hoping it was Philip Seymour Hoffman  ) ; but I haven't been active for years on FAC; though I do check in and look at some of the posts.