VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP

    Constantine issued these coins intermittently from 313-320. Arles - 319-320, London - 318-320, Lugdunum (Lyon) - 319-320, Rome – circa 315 (gold issue), Siscia - 318-320, Ticinum- 318-319, Trier - 313, 318-319. The billon (roughly 25% percent silver) coin was the first appearance of VLPP type. Circa 313 A.D., Trier struck this coin along with two other billon types of the same denomination-- for more information, go to the page about the billon coins from Trier. The VLPP's of 318- 320 had circa 4% silver. Here is a page with line drawings of the VLPP's in the Vienna collection from the book by Guido Bruck, Die Spätrömische Kupferprägung - Ein Bestimmungsbuch Für Schlecht Erhaltene Münzen.
 

    This page is about coins from Siscia and they are arranged by RIC number, but there are also references to the Bikic-Do hoard.^¹ This hoard contained 406 VLPP's from Siscia.  At Siscia these coins were eventually issued for all five rulers at the time (Constantine I, Licinius I, Crispus, Licinius II and Constantine II); but the first series,ASIS* [with the long reverse legend], was issued only for Constantine (RIC 47-51). The next series (RIC 52-58) was only issued for the Constantine family members. It is interesting to note that the heroic bust with spear and shield (the H12 bust and also the H11 with just spear) was only issued for Constantine and was never issued for Licinius. Licinius is always depicted as just laureate. After Constantine's victory at the Milvian Bridge, the helmet may have even been  association with Christianity, and some rare examples even have a chi-rho in the crossbar.

    Constantine had just won the territory of Siscia from Licinius in 317. Siscia was also the farthest east of the mints that issued the VLPP's, so it was closest to the remaining territory of Licinius. Constantine was also having troubles with "barbarians" from the North. This military bust may been propaganda on the part of Constantine aimed at  Licinius and perhaps the fractious Northern tribes-- a little reminder that God was on his side!

    RIC describes the reverse of these coins as two victories holding a shield. If you look closely on a clear example, you will see that only one victory is holding the shield. The other victory is actually inscribing the shield. You can see the stylus in the hand of victory on some examples. The reverse description should be something like this: two Victories standing, facing one another, one inscribing shield with VOT PR, while the other Victory holds the shield above an altar. RIC also describes the bust as cuirassed only, but on some of the H11 and H12 busts, they are draped and cuirassed, and even rarer, some show only drapery, and no trace of cuirass. There are a variety of designs on the shields and helmets, especially in the crossbars. Sometimes the shields are inscribed with a horseman leaping over a fallen enemy, but this design is predominantly  from officina B.  I have put a horse icon   next to coins that have a horseman on the shield.
 

    The chart below is a quick reference for I.D. The obverse legend can have various breaks. The officinae that minted these coins are A,B,gamma,delta and epsilon. Even though some may not be listed in RIC, they are all to be expected. Starting with RIC 73, there is an  I on altar for off. A and B; and an S on altar for off. gamma,delta, and epsilon. It is not known what, if anything, these letters stand for. It is tempting to think an S and I stood for Siscia, but other mints also use letters which could not stand for their respective cities. The reverse legends starting with RIC 81 are the shorter VICT.legends. There are many variations in the altar design, but I do not pay much attention to the differences for any classification purposes,since there does not seem to be any pattern. The earlier issues (RIC 47-56) are on a small (and thicker) flan with a small portrait and have a higher relief. As the issues continue (this is most evident by the short reverse legend), the flans and portrait become larger (the flan is also thinner) and the relief is smaller.

RIC 47	A.D. 318 19mm    2.6gm IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG laur. helmet, cuir.. VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP [ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince]  two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)]on altar. BSIS star RIC VII Siscia 47  r3
	A.D. 318 19x18mm    3.2 IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG laur. helmet, cuir.. VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP [ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR  [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)]on altar. gammaSIS star RIC VII Siscia 47  r1
RIC 48	A.D. 318 20x19mm    3.0gm IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG laur. helmet, cuir. VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP [Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)]on altar gamma SIS*  RIC VII Siscia 48  r5
RIC 49	A.D. 318  19mm    3.5gm  IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG high crested helmet, cuir., spear across right shoulder.  VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP [ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)]on altar.  ASIS star RIC VII Siscia 49   r5
	A.D. 318 18mm    2.8gm IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG high crested helmet, cuir., spear across right shoulder. VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP [ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)]on altar. BSIS star RIC VII Siscia 49  unlisted officina
	A.D. 318 19x20mm    3.2gm IMP CONSTAN-TINVS AVG high crested helmet, cuir., spear across right shoulder. VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP [ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)]on altar. gammaSIS star RIC VII Siscia 49   unlisted officina
	A.D. 318 19x18mm    2.8gm IMP CONSTAN-TINVS AVG high crested helmet, cuir., spear across right shoulder. VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP [ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)]on altar. deltaSIS star RIC VII Siscia 49   unlisted officina
	A.D. 318 19x17mm    2.8gm IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG high crested helmet, cuir., spear across right shoulder. VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP [ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)]on altar. epsilon SIS star RIC VII Siscia 49  unlisted officina
RIC 50	A.D. 318 19x17mm    2.8gm IMP CONSTANT-INVS AVG high crested helmet, cuir., spear across r. shoulder, shield inscribed with horseman on left arm  VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP [ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)] on altar. BSIS* RIC VII Siscia 50 r2    horseman on shield
	A.D. 318  19x18mm    2.8gm IMP CONSTAN-TINVS AVG high crested helmet, cuir., spear across r. shoulder, shield inscribed with horseman on left arm  VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP [ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)] on altar (star on altar).  delta SIS*    RIC VII Siscia 50    r4
	A.D. 318 19mm 2.6gm  IMP CONSTANTI-NVS AVG high crested helmet, cuir., spear across r. shoulder, shield inscribed with cross-like design VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP [ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)] on altar. epsilon SIS*      RIC VII Siscia 50      r4 unlisted obverse legend break
RIC 52	A.D. 318-19  19mm        3.0gm  IMP CONSTAN-TINVS MAX AVG helmeted, laureate, cuirassed  VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP [Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)] on altar (type w). deltaSIS     RIC VII Siscia 52 This coin shows the first use of the title MAX in the East for Constantine, and the first and only use for the Siscia VLPP. The deliberately broken legend (versus breaks because there is not room) on the obverse, which occurs above the head of Constantine, has been suggested to mirror an oriental concept that nothing should come between the king and heaven. the style of this coin is unusual, it may be unofficial Unlisted for officina and obverse legend break
RIC 53	A.D. 318-19 20x19mm    3.0gm IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG helmeted, laureate, cuirassed VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP [Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)] BSIS     RIC VII Siscia 53     r1
	A.D. 318-19 19mm    2.7gm IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG helmeted, laureate, cuirassed VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP [Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)] deltaSIS     RIC VII Siscia 53     r1
	A.D. 318-19 18mm    2.6gm IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG helmeted, laureate, cuirassed VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP [Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)] epsilonSIS     RIC VII Siscia 53     r1
RIC 54	A.D. 318-19 19x18mm    3.6gm IMP CONST-ANTINVS AVG helmeted, laureate, cuirassed VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP [ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)] on altar. ASIS     RIC VII Siscia 54    r3
	A.D. 318-19  19mm 2.6gm IMP CONSTAN-TINVS AVG helmeted, laureate, cuirassed  VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP [ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)] on altar.  ASIS RIC VII Siscia 54 r3
Unlisted H6 bust	A.D. 318-19  19mm    2.6gm  IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG laureate helmet, cuir., spear across right shoulder and shield on left (very small shield!) VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP[ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)] on altar.  gammaSIS   should be after Siscia 54 RIC does not list bust type H6
RIC 55	A.D. 318-19 19x17mm    2.6gm IMP CONSTANT-INVS AVG high crested helmet, cuir., spear across right shoulder. VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP[ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)] on altar.  BSIS   RIC VII Siscia 55   r3
	A.D. 318-19  18mm    3.0gm IMP CONSTANTI-NVS AVG high crested helmet with circle over crescent (sun over moon) in crossbar, cuir., spear across right shoulder.  VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PER(P)[ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)] on altar. (type 7u- plain x). BSIS   RIC VII Siscia 55   r3     Note that there was not room for the P in PERP on reverse
	A.D. 318-19  19mm    3.0gm  IMP CONSTANT-INVS AVG high crested helmet with circle over crescent (sun over moon) in crossbar, cuir., spear across right shoulder.  VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PER(P)[ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)] on altar.  BSIS   RIC VII Siscia 55   r3
	A.D. 318-19 19mm    2.6gm IMP CONSTANT-INVS AVG high crested helmet, cuir., spear across right shoulder. VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP[ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)] on altar.  BSIS   RIC VII Siscia 55   r3
	A.D. 318-19 20x19mm    3.4gm IMP CONSTAN-TINVS AVG high crested helmet with an X in the crossbar of the helmet , cuir., spear across right shoulder. VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP[ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)] on altar (type 7u- plain x). BSIS  RIC VII Siscia 55  r3
	A.D. 318-19 19x18mm    3.2gm IMP CONSTANT-INVS AVG high crested helmet, cuir., spear across right shoulder. VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP[ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)] on altar.  gammaSIS   RIC VII Siscia 55   r4
	A.D. 318-19 18mm    3.5gm IMP CONSTANT-INVS AVG high crested helmet with wavy line and dots on either side in crossbar, cuir., spear across right shoulder. VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP[ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)] on altar (type 7u- plain x). gammaSIS    RIC VII Siscia 55   r4
	A.D. 318-19  19x17mm 3.1gm  IMP CONSTANT-[INVS] AVG high crested helmet, cuir., spear across right shoulder.  VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP[ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)] on altar.  gammaSIS RIC VII Siscia 55 r4
Unlisted H11 bust	A.D. 318-19 21x20mm    2.6gm CONSTANTI-NVS AVG high crested helmet, cuir., spear across right shoulder. VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP [ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)]on altar. In exergue ESIS     Unlisted in RIC should be before RIC 56
RIC 56	A.D. 318-19  18mm    2.3gm  IMP CONSTAN-TINVS AVG high crested helmet, cuir., spear across r. shoulder, shield on left arm inscribed with horseman.  VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP [ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)] on altar.  BSIS  RIC VII Siscia 56 r4   horseman on shield
	A.D. 318-19 19x18mm    3.0gm IMP CONSTAN-TINVS AVG high crested helmet, cuir., spear across r. shoulder, shield on left arm  VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP [ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)] on altar. ESIS  RIC VII Siscia 56 r4      obverse die match with next coin
	A.D. 318-19 18x19mm    3.4gm IMP CONSTAN-TINVS AVG high crested helmet, cuir., spear across r. shoulder, shield on left arm  VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP [ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)] on altar. ESIS  RIC VII Siscia 56 r4     obverse die match with previous coin
	A.D. 318-19  19mm    3.3gm IMP CONSTANT-INVS AVG high crested helmet, cuir., spear across r. shoulder, shield on left arm  VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP [ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)] on altar.  ESIS  RIC VII Siscia 56 r4
	A.D. 318-19 19x17mm   2.0gm IMP CONSTANT-INVS AVG high crested helmet, cuir., spear across r. shoulder, shield on left arm VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP [ Joyous (well-earned) victory to the eternal Prince] two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR [VOTA POPULI ROMANI (vows of the Roman people)] on altar.  ESIS  RIC VII Siscia 56 r4

^¹ Jean-Pierre Callu's analysis of the Bikic-Do hoard appeared in Sirmium VIII. Études de Numismatique Danubienne: Trésors, Lingots, Imitations. Monnaies de Fouilles IV au XII Siècle (Rome: Ecole  francaise de Rome, 1978), which was edited by Noël Duval and Vladislav Popovic.