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An Enigmatic Bronze of Constantine the Great
Original Auction Photo
Constantine I, AE3, 18-19mm, 318-319 (for
exergue mark), Siscia, Officina 3. IMP CON_STANT_INVS PERT AVG Draped,
cuirassed bust of Constantine I right, wearing Pannonian cap. VICTORIAE
LAETAE PRINC PERP Two Victories, standing facing each other, inscribing
shield with VOT | PR on altar with X and + design (altar type Y in Appendix on
p. 460). GSIS in exergue. 3.27g. Unlisted
in all known references.
On October 23, 2003, the opportunity to acquire a most unusual bronze coin of Constantine I presented itself. The coin above
was offered for auction by Gantcho and Hanna Zagorski via Yahoo. This piece holds a unique opportunity in many respects...
Process
Having been a Six Sigma Black Belt for a major global corporation, my position consisted of analyzing processes and involved a
great deal of statistics and documentation. With the successful bid for this coin, I feel I now have the responsibility of
documenting it and presenting the findings in an attempt to explain why this coin would possibly have been minted This page
will serve as the venue for my research results. It is my intention, when complete, to have a process documented, where I show
the life cycle of taking a virtually unknown ancient coin through research and publication.
Naturally, the first and most important task is to determine the authenticity of the piece with respect to it being an ancient
product of an official Imperial mint (the Pannonian mint of Siscia or Sisak, Croatia), as presented. The process I plan to follow, once receiving
the coin, is to make my initial assessment, weigh the piece, document my observations and produce a larger temporary
photograph. Next, I will send the piece to a professional photographer.
The photographer will send the coin to David R. Sear for historical
background research and authentication. Once complete, Mr. Sear will return the piece with his findings. For sake of argument
and to complete my initial process map at this point, I am going to assume the coin is genuine. If found otherwise, a different
process will be documented and followed.
Upon receipt of Mr. Sear's assessment, I will contact John Jencek of
Jencek's Ancient Coins and Antiquities to
release the obverse legend to be included in his legends database.
Next, the coin will be sent to Curtis Clay and Phil Davis, of Harlan J Berk Ltd., to
analyze, make impressions and include in their database.
Upon return of the coin, it will be sent to the British Museum
for final analysis and assessment.
In the meantime, I am contacting as many dealers and museum staff, with whom I am good friends, to determine if there are any
documented pieces such as this. With their permission, all historical notes and population data will be presented.
January 15, 2004: The original process plan did not occur. The coin first went to Curtis Clay, then David Sear for
authentication. I was in the process of redesigning parts of my site, so the rephotographing of the coin needed to be
rescheduled. It will occur in the next few weeks. Mr. Clay received the coin before Mr. Sear, upon Mr. Sear's request as he
would be out of town during November. The coin, unfortunately, will not be sent to the British Museum for analysis due to
recent actions by the U. S. Government in seizing ancient coins bound for foreign lands. These actions create an extremely high
risk factor for loss of the unique artifact - a risk I am not willing to take.
February 1, 2004: After rereading parts of RIC and looking at all of the altar designs again, I can't help but wonder how the
device gained the description of "altar" in the first place. It would make much more sense if it were a column, since
there are reverse types all throughout Imperial coinage with Victory placing a shield on a column. Why would a shield be put on
an altar? I'll have to look into this further.
February 7, 2004: Looking once again through RIC, I discovered a gold coin from Thessalonica, #7 on p. 499; and shown on Plate
15.:
Constantine I, AV 4-1/2 solidii, 317, Thessalonica
IMP CONSTANTINVS MAX P F AVG
Laureate, helmeted, cuirassed bust right
VICTO_RIAE LAETAE AVG N
Two Victories, each holding palm-branch, together holding shield inscribed VOT | X on altar (maybe it's a column?) inscribed
MVL | XX
. SM . TS . in exergue
What is most remarkable about this piece is Dr. Bruun lists the coin as being struck in 317. This coin, if dateable
conclusively to 317, would be a precursor to the series. Also, Thessalonica did not produce this series at all in bronze.
Reviewing other mints brings up yet another very unusual example for this series:
Constantine I, AE Bronze Multiple or Medallion, 318-319, Trier
IMP CONSTANTI_NVS P F AVG
High-crested helmet, cuirassed, spear across right shoulder
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINCIPIS PERPETVI
Two Victories, standing facing each other, holding shield inscribes VOT | IS | PR on altar
PTR in exergue
9.63g
RIC VII, 208, p.181
In the footnote, Dr. Bruun writes "The date is hard to assess. The absence of specified vota (VOT X MVL XX) as on
the gold multiple of Ticinum #25 suggests that this piece was struck before or after the decennalia, and thus it is
natural to connect it with the bronze series of corresponding rev. Published by A. Alfoldi, Acta Arc. 5, p. 100,
who propounded a date immediate after the battle of the Milvian Bridge."
One has to wonder, then, if the Pannonian Hat coin was meant to be a trial piece or pattern for a gold issue for presentation
that was never struck, since we can find a large bronze from another mint, also lacking a corresponding gold issue. Another
similarity is the absence of a series mark on both coins. PTR on the Trier bronze and GSIS on the
Siscia bronze.
Examples of bust types
Until I can acquire examples from Siscia for each of the attested bust types, other mints will be used as a reference. Note -
RIC does not attest examples from Siscia with some of the bust types used at other mints and not all of the bust types used in
this series were used on issues of Constantine I. I will try to acquire examples of each mint, officina, altar type and all
varieties to use for data from which to draw conclusions about this reverse type with the longer legend. These coins will be
listed on separate pages, by mint, to avoid having one very large page with too many photos.
| Normal bust type B1 - Laureate |
 |
Licinius I, AE3, 319-320, Siscia, Officina 3
IMP LICI_NIVS AVG
Laureate head right
VICT . LAETAE PRINC PERP
Two Victories, standing facing each other, inscribing shield with VOT | PR on altar with S
GSIS* in exergue
19mm, 2.41g
RIC VII, 96 (R4)
|
| Normal bust
type B3 - Laureate, draped, cuirassed, seen from behind |
 |
Crispus, AE3, 319-320, London
FL IVL CRIS_PVS NOB CAES
Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP
Two Victories, standing facing each other, inscribing shield with VOT | PR above altar with diamond pattern, dot in each
corner, circle with dot in center
PLN in exergue
17mm, 3.37g
RIC VII, -- (see #164 for type)
Note: B3 bust type not attested in RIC for this issue at London.
Note: RIC footnotes #164 "is, so to speak, a forewarning of the subsequent issue which was to include obverses of the
sons of Constantine". Also, RIC notes for #158, an example with a shield on the altar, referring to the Senckler collection,
but was unable to verify. Perhaps this example is another of the "shield on altar" type, as RIC does not describe in any other
footnotes a type with large circle and center dot. Jeff Clark agrees with me on
the "shield on altar" proposal for this coin.
|
| Normal bust
type B4 - Laureate, draped, cuirassed |
 |
Licinius II, AE3, 319, Siscia, Officina 4
LICINIVS IVN NOB CAES
Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP
Two Victories, standing facing each other, inscribing shield with VOT | PR above altar with garland and X design (altar type
T)
DSIS pellet in exergue
19mm x 20mm, 2.93g
RIC VII, 70
Ex Warren Esty Collection, March 2004
Note: Not attested in RIC for officina 4
|
| Normal bust
type C2 - Radiate, draped, cuirassed, seen from behind |
 |
Constantine II, AE3, 319, Ticinum, Officina 3
CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C
Radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP
Two Victories standing facing each other, inscribing shield with VOT | PR set on altar with garland and C
T T in exergue
17mm x 18mm, 3.12g
RIC VII, 95 (R3)
|
 |
Constantine II, AE3, 320, London
FL CL CONSTAN_TINVS IVN N C
Radiate, draped, cuirassed bust left, seen from behind
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP
Two Victories, standing facing each other, inscribing shield with VOT | PR above altar with wreath and *
PLN in exergue
19mm, 2.65g
RIC VII, -- (see # 181 for type)
Ex Francis Cummings, eBay, May 2004
Note: C2 bust type not attested in RIC for this issue at London.
|
| Normal bust
type C3 - Radiate, draped, cuirassed |
 |
Crispus, AE3, 319, Ticinum, Officina 2
FL IVL CRISPVS NOB C
Radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP
Two Victories standingfacing each other, inscribing shield with VOT | PR set on altar with C
S T in exergue
18mm x 20mm, 2.83g
RIC VII, 93 (R3)
Ex 5 Empires via eBay, February 2004
|
| Normal bust
type D6 - Laureate, helmeted, cuirassed |
 |
Constantine I, AE3, 318-319, Siscia, Officina 3
IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG
Laureate, helmeted, cuirassed bust right
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP
Two Victories, standing facing each other, inscribing shield containing wreath ties on bottom with VOT | PR above altar with X
and + design (altar type Y)
GSIS in exergue
17mm x 18mm, 2.93g
RIC VII, 54 (R2)
Ex Mediterranean Coins, eBay, January 2004
|
| Variant bust
type D6 - Star on helmet |
 |
Constantine I, AE3, 318-319, Siscia, Officina 5
IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG
Laureate, helmeted, cuirassed bust right, * on helmet
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP
Two Victories, standing facing each other, inscribing shield with VOT | PR above altar with X design and four pellets (altar
type W)
ESIS in exergue
17mm x 18mm, 2.88g
RIC VII, 53 (R1)
Ex Ancient Auction House, eBay, July 2004
Note: Although the star in the field of the helmet is the standard for the H11 bust type, field marks on the D6 are rare
|
| Variant bust
type D6 - Ear is covered by helmet |
 |
Constantine I, AE3, 318-319, Siscia, Officina 2
IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG
Laureate, helmeted, cuirassed bust right, no ear type
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP
Two Victories, standing facing each other, inscribing shield with VOT | PR above altar with X design (altar type U)
BSIS in exergue
17mm x 18mm, 2.82g
RIC VII, 53 (R1)
Ex Cameleon Coins, eBay, July 2004
Note: Helmet style without ear flap
|
| Variant
obverse type D6 - Unattested legend break |
 |
Constantine I, AE3, 318, Siscia, Officina 1
IMP CON_STANTINVS AVG
Laureate, helmeted, cuirassed bust right
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP
Two Victories, standing facing each other, inscribing shield with VOT | PR above altar with X and - design (altar type X)
ASIS* in exergue
18mm x 20mm, 2.83g
RIC VII, 48v
Note: Unattested in RIC for officina 1 and unlisted with obverse legend break according to the footnote for 48 on p. 431
|
| Normal bust
type D7 - High-crested helmet, cuirassed |
 |
Constantine I, AE3, 319-320, Lugdunum
CONS_TANTINVS P AVG
High-crested helmet, five pellets on crossbar, cuirassed bust right
VICTORIAE LAET PRINC PERP
Two Victories, standing facing each other, inscribing shield with VOT | PR set on altar with X design
(altar type d)
Two captives in exergue
17mm x 18mm, 2.95g
RIC VII, --
Ex Silenos Coins, eBay, June 2004
Note: Bust type D7 not attested in RIC for this obverse legend
|
| Normal bust
type G5 - Laureate, cuirassed, spear across right shoulder, shield on left
arm |
 |
Crispus, AE3, 318-319, Siscia, Officina 5
IVL CRISPVS NOB CAESAR
Laureate, cuirassed bust left, spear over right shoulder, shield with design of two circles of pellets, * above wavy
line in left hand
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP
Two Victories, standing facing each other, inscribing shield with VOT | PR above plain altar (altar type A)
ESIS in exergue
18mm x 20mm, 2.62g
RIC VII, --
Ex Joe Baran, eBay, May 2004
Note: Not attested in RIC VII for bust type G5 for series
|
| Normal bust
type H6 -
Laureate, helmeted, cuirassed, spear across right shoulder, shield on left arm |
 |
Constantine I, AE3, 318-319, Siscia, Officina 3
IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG
Laureate, helmeted, cuirassed bust right, spear in right hand over shoulder, round shield in left hand
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP
Two Victories, standing facing each other, inscribing shield containing wreath ties on bottom with VOT | PR above altar,
design not distinguishable
GSIS in exergue
17mm x 19mm, 2.98g
RIC VII, --
Ex Ancient Coins Canada, February 2004
Note: Bust type H6 not attested in RIC VII for this series at Siscia.
|
| Normal bust
type H11 - High-crested helmet, cuirassed, spear across right shoulder,
mappa in left hand |
 |
Constantine I, AE3, 319, Arles, Officina 1
IMP CONSTAN_TINVS AVG
High-crested helmet, four pellets in crossbar, cuirassed bust left, spear across right shoulder, mappa in left hand
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP
Two Victories, standing facing each other, inscribing shield with VOT | PR, above plain altar
PARL in exergue
18mm x 19mm, 3.50g
RIC VII, 192 (R4)
Ex Gantcho and Hanna Zagorski, eBay, May 2004
|
| Normal bust
type H12 - High-crested helmet, cuirassed, spear across right shoulder, shield on left arm |
 |
Constantine I, AE3, 318, Siscia, Officina 5
IMP CONSTANTI_NVS AVG
High-crested helmet, three vertical pellets on crossbar, two horizontal pellets on plume, cuirassed bust left, spear over
right shoulder, shield with large cross and pellets design in left hand
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP
Two Victories, standing facing each other, inscribing shield with VOT | PR above altar with X and four pellets design
(altar type W)
ESIS* in exergue
17mm x 19mm, 2.93g
RIC VII, 50v (R4 for type)
Note: Not attested in RIC with obverse legend break I_N at Siscia
|
| Unattested
bust type -
Laureate, helmeted, cuirassed, spear across right shoulder |
 |
Constantine I, AE3, 319, Siscia, Officina 1
IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG
Laureate, helmeted, cuirassed bust right, spear in right hand over shoulder
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP
Two Victories, standing facing each other, inscribing shield with VOT | PR above altar, with indistinguishable design
ASIS pellet in exergue
19mm x 20mm, 2.84g
RIC VII, --
Ex Dawson Lewis Collection, February 2004
Note: Bust type not attested in RIC VII without shield at Siscia.
|
Constantine's Travels
During Constantine's reign, there were many events requiring the emperor to
travel. Here is the Chronological Table of Principal Events from 313-337 from
RIC VII, pp.76-78. Two events stand out as possible reasons and dates for the
Pannonia Hat coin - Constantine's capture of Siscia in 316 in the war with
Licinius and Constantine's short stay in Siscia in the summer of 317. Since
there is no series mark on the coin, it could have been minted in 316 before the
series was issued en-masse in bronze as the reverse type made its debut in 315
in Rome on a solidus. Since the coin does have the gamma officina mark, it is
most likely not a trial piece for a solidus as all of the other
"presentation" type pieces only have the issuing mint and P(ecunia) or
S(acra) M(oneta) and no officina designation.
| Year |
Period |
Event |
Source |
| 313 |
September |
Maximinus II Daza dies in Tarsus |
|
| |
Autumn |
Constantine in Arles |
Coinage |
| |
November 11 |
Licinius' second quinquennalia |
|
| 314 |
All Year |
Constantine in Trier |
|
| 315 |
New Year |
Processus consularis in Trier |
Coinage |
| |
Spring |
Constantine in Lyons |
Coinage |
| |
July 25 |
Decennalia in Trier |
Coinage |
| |
|
Bassianus' (Constantine's brother-in-law) plot revealed |
|
| |
Early August |
Constantine goes to Italy |
|
| |
August 25 |
Constantine in Rome |
CTh. xi. 30.3 |
| |
From October 19 |
Constantine in Milan |
Frg. Vat. 273; coinage |
| 316 |
Spring |
Constantine in Gaul |
CTh. |
| |
Summer |
Preparations for war of Constantine against Licinius |
|
| |
|
Aquileia mint reopened |
|
| |
September 20 |
Campaign launched from Verona |
Frg. Vat. 290 |
| 316 |
September-October |
Siscia captured from Licinius by Constantine |
|
| |
October 8 |
Licinius defeated at Cibalae |
|
| |
|
Valens elevated to Augustus |
|
| |
|
Crispus and Constantine II elevated to Caesars |
Coinage |
| |
|
Constantine in Philippopolis |
|
| |
|
Negotiations |
|
| |
|
Campus Ardiensis: drawn battle |
|
| |
December 4 |
Constantine in Serdica |
CTh. ix. 1. 1 |
| |
|
Negotiations |
|
| 317 |
January 8 |
Licinius accepts Gallicanus and Bassus as consuls |
PThead. 57 |
| |
|
Valens executed |
|
| |
February 17 |
Constantine accepts peace |
Fasti |
| |
March 1 |
Peace confirmed in Serdica |
|
| |
|
Crispus, Licinius II and Constantine II officially elevated
to Caesars |
|
| |
March 8 |
Constantine in Thessalonica |
CTh. viii. 7. 1 |
| |
April 17 |
Constantine in Serdica |
CTh. viii. 12. 2; ix. 10. 1 |
| |
June 6 |
Constantine in Sirmium |
CTh. xi. 30. 7 |
| 317 |
|
Constantine in Siscia |
Coinage |
| |
From June 27 |
Constantine in Thessalonica |
CTh. vi. 1. 4; coinage |
| |
November 11 |
Licinius' decennalia |
|
| 318 |
All year |
Constantine in Aquileia |
CTh. |
| |
|
Crispus' Alemannian war |
|
| 319 |
New Year |
Processus consularis in Aquileia |
Coinage |
| |
All year |
Court in Ticinum |
Coinage |
| |
All year |
Constantine in Sirmium |
CTh. |
| 320 |
New Year |
Processus consularis in Sirmium |
Coinage |
| |
Most of the year |
Court in Sirmium |
Coinage |
| |
Most of the year |
Constantine in Serdica |
CTh. |
| |
July 25 |
Quindecennalia (in Sirmium?) |
|
| 321 |
February 27 |
Constantine in Serdica |
CTh. ii. 19. 2; ix. 42. 1 |
| |
March 1 |
Quinquennalia in Sirmium |
Coinage |
| |
|
Crispus' wedding in Sirmium |
|
| |
|
Licinius II's quinquennalia |
|
| 322 |
Earlier part |
Constantine in Sirmium |
CTh. |
| |
Summer |
Sarmatian campaign |
|
| |
November 11 |
Licinius' quindecennalia |
|
| |
December 18 |
Constantine in Serdica |
CTh. iii. 32. 1 |
| 323 |
February 15 |
Constantine in Thessalonica |
CTh. iv. 8. 6 |
| |
April 13 |
Constantine in Byzantium |
CTh. xi. 30. 12; xii. 1. 8 |
| |
May 25 |
Constantine in Sirmium |
CTh. xvi. 2. 5 |
| |
Summer |
Gothic campaign |
|
| 324 |
January 23 |
Constantine in Sirmium |
CTh. xii. 17; vi. 22. 1 |
| |
March 8 |
Constantine in Thessalonica |
CTh. xiii. 5. 4; coinage |
| |
July 3 |
Battle of Adrianople |
|
| |
Mid July |
Capture of Heraclea |
Coinage |
| |
Late July |
Martinian elevated to Augustus |
|
| |
|
Constantius II elevated to Caesar |
Coinage |
| |
September 18 |
Battle of Chrysopolis |
|
| |
September-October |
Licinius surrenders |
|
| |
October-November |
Council of Ancyra summoned |
|
| |
November 8 |
Constantius II officially Caesar |
|
| |
|
Helena and Fausta elevated to Augustae |
Coinage |
| |
December |
Constantine in Antioch |
Coinage |
| |
|
Council of Antioch |
|
| 325 |
January |
Constantine in Antioch |
|
| |
|
Nicaean Council summoned |
|
| |
February 25 |
Constantine in Nicomedia |
CTh. i. 15. 1 |
| |
|
Letter to Alexander and Arius |
|
| |
May 20 |
Opening of Nicaean Council |
|
| |
July 19 |
End of Nicaean Council |
|
| |
July 25 |
Vicennalia in Nicomedia |
|
| 326 |
Early |
Constantine in Thessalonica |
Coinage |
| |
February-March |
Constantine in Heraclea |
CTh. ix. 3. 2; 7. 1; x. 4. 1 |
| |
March 8 |
Constantine in Constantinople |
CTh. ii. 10. 4 |
| |
April 18 |
Constantine in Sirmium |
CTh. ix. 12. 2; coinage |
| |
May 22 |
Constantine in Sirmium |
CTh. ix. 1. 5 |
| |
June |
Constantine in Ticinum |
Coinage |
| |
July 18 |
Constantine arrives in Rome |
|
| |
July 25 |
Vicennalia in Rome |
|
| |
September 27 |
Constantine departs from Rome |
|
| |
August-September |
Crispus killed in Pola |
|
| |
September-October |
Fausta killed |
|
| |
October 23 |
Constantine in Milan |
CTh. iv. 22. 1 |
| |
December (or 327) |
Constantine in Siscia |
Coinage |
| |
December 31 |
Constantine in Sirmium |
CTh. iii. 32. 2; coinage |
| 327 |
February 27 |
Constantine in Thessalonica |
CTh. xi. 3. 2; coinage |
| |
May 18 |
Constantine in Serdica |
CTh. xi. 7. 4 |
| |
June 11 |
Constantine in Constantinople |
CTh. ii. 24. 2; coinage |
| |
July 30 |
Constantine in Nicomedia |
CTh. xii. 5. 1; coinage |
| 328 |
|
Building of capital begins |
|
| |
July 5 |
Constantine in Oescus |
CTh. vi. 35. 5 |
| |
Summer |
Constantine fortifies the Danube line and builds Dafne |
Coinage |
| |
Autumn |
Constantine II's Alamannian war |
|
| |
September-December |
Constantine in Trier? |
CTh.; coinage |
| 329 |
|
Constantine returns to Constantinople via Sirmium, Naissis,
Serdica and Heraclea |
CTh. |
| 330 |
May 11 |
Dedication of Constantinople as new capital of Empire |
|
| |
July 25 |
25th anniversary of accession |
Coinage |
| |
Late |
Constantine in Thessalonica |
Coinage |
| 331 |
Early |
Constantine in Thessalonica |
Coinage |
| |
Late |
Gothic war begins |
|
| 332 |
February 18 |
Gothic victory |
|
| |
April 12 |
Constantine in Marcianopolis |
CTh. iii. 5. 4, 5 |
| |
Late |
Constantine in Thessalonica |
Coinage |
| 333 |
Early |
Constantine in Thessalonica |
Coinage |
| |
December 25 |
Constans elevated to Caesar |
|
| 334 |
June 17 |
Constantine in Constantinople |
CTh. i. 22. 2 |
| |
Summer |
Constantine in Siscia |
Coinage |
| |
July 5 |
Constantine in Singidunum |
CTh. x. 15. 2 |
| |
|
Sarmatian campaign |
|
| |
August 25 |
Constantine in Naissus |
CTh. xi. 39. 3 |
| |
|
Armenian delegation arrives |
|
| |
|
Constantius II to Syria |
|
| 335 |
Early |
Felicianus comes Orientis |
|
| |
|
Armenian campaign |
|
| |
July 15 |
Constantine in Constantinople |
CTh. iii. 5. 6 |
| |
July 25 |
Tricennalia in Nicomedia |
Coinage |
| |
August-September |
Constantine in Siscia |
Coinage |
| |
September 18 |
Delmatius elevated to Caesar |
|
| |
|
Division of Empire |
|
| |
October 23 |
Constantine in Nicopolis |
CIust. i. 40. 4 |
| |
October 30 |
Constantine returns to Constantinople |
|
| |
November |
Hanniballian elevated to Rex Regum |
|
| 336 |
April |
Persian delegation arrives |
|
| |
July 25 |
Tricennalia in Constantinople |
Coinage |
| |
|
Constantius II's wedding |
|
| 337 |
May 22 |
Death of Constantine in Ancyra (suburb of Nicomedia).
Baptized on his death-bed and buried in Constantinople in the Church of
the Apostles as the thirteenth apostle. |
|
Project Timeline
October 23, 2003: Coin won on Yahoo auction
November 1, 2003: Received via registered mail
November 4, 2003: Since Mr. Sear would be out of town during the time when I planned to send it to him, it was sent via
registered mail to Mr. Clay at Harlan J Berk
November 10-18, 2003: Analysis and additional cleaning by Mr. Clay
November 18, 2003: Received opinion as coin being authentic from Mr. Clay
November 18, 2003: Mr. Clay sent the coin to Mr. Sear
November 25, 2003: Coin received by Mr. Sear
January 15, 2004: Received Certificate of Authenticity from Mr. Sear
January 21, 2004: Received coin from Mr. Sear
January 31, 2004: Sent coin to John Lavender for photographing
February 18, 2004: Coin photography finished and added to site
March 2, 2004: This research page redesigned for better flow, subpage chapters added, subpages for all coins by mint added
April 22, 2005: Coin submitted to lab for non-destructive testing
December 18, 2005: Received coin back from lab. Test results will be published in
a future coin article.
Continuing Research
Chapter 1: History - The "Pannonian Cap" during Roman times
Chapter 2: Mints - Map of Roman Empire and listing of when each mint produced coins in this series
Chapter 3: Coins - Links to each mint page with more coins, all RIC information and tables
Chapter 4: Hypotheses - Proposals as to why this coin exists
Chapter 5: Challenges - Is the coin genuine?
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