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. Here is the page about the billon coins from Trier. 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.
 

    The rest of this page is about coins from Siscia. I collect this type by RIC number and variation.These coins exhibit a wide variety of altar types on the reverse.At Siscia these coins were 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, and there may have been a Christian symbolism associated with the helmet type after Constantine's victory at the Milvian Bridge.

    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 must have been propaganda on the part of Constantine aimed at both Licinius and 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.

    The chart below is a quick reference for I.D. The obverse legend can have various breaks. The officina 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.

D2-helmeted, cuirassed
D6-Laureate, helmeted, cuirassed
H11 - High-crested helmet, cuirassed, spear across right shoulder
H12 - High-crested helmet, cuirassed, spear across right shoulder, shield on left arm
coins with an H1 bust ( [laureate] helmet, cuirassed, spear across right shoulder) are also known, but not listed in RIC. There is also a unique coin of Constantine wearing a Pannonia cap.

RIC
Obverse
Bust
Reverse
Exergue
47
IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
D6
VICTORIAE
ASIS*
48
IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG
D6
VICTORIAE
ASIS*
49
IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG
H11 left
VICTORIAE
ASIS*
50
IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG
H12 left
VICTORIAE
ASIS*
51
CONSTANTINVS AVG
H12 left
VICTORIAE
ASIS*
52
IMP CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG
D6
VICTORIAE
ASIS
53
IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
D6
VICTORIAE
ASIS
54
IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG
D6
VICTORIAE
ASIS
55
IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG
H11 left
VICTORIAE
ASIS
56
IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG
H12 left
VICTORIAE
ASIS
59
IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
D6
VICTORIAE
ASISdot
60
IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG
D6
VICTORIAE
ASISdot
61
IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG
H12 left
VICTORIAE
ASISdot
73
IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
D6
VICTORIAE
ASISdot
74
IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG
H12 left
VICTORIAE
ASISdot
81
IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG
D2
VICT.
dotASISdot
82
IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG
H12 left
VICT.
dotASISdot
83
CONSTANTINVS AVG
D6
VICT.
dotASISdot
84
CONSTANTINVS AVG
H12 left
VICT.
dotASISdot
93
CONSTANTINVS AVG
D6
VICT.
ASIS*
94
CONSTANTINVS AVG
H11 left
VICT.
ASIS*
95
CONSTANTINVS AVG
H12 left
VICT.
ASIS*
100
IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG
D6
VICT.
ASISdot
101
IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG
H12 left
VICT.
ASISdot
102
CONSTANTINVS AVG
H12 left
VICT.
ASISdot

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ASIS* - ASIS

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
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia RIC 47 gamma
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
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia RIC 47 gamma
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
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia RIC 48 gamma
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
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia RIC 49 A
 
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 for officina 
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia RIC 49 b
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
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia RIC 49 delta
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 for officina 
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia RIC 49 epsilon
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
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia RIC 49 gamma
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 
Constantine the Great 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 
Constantine the Great RIC VII Siscia 50
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
Constantine the Great RIC VII Siscia 50
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 
Constantine the Great RIC VII Siscia 50
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
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia RIC 49 epsilon
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
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia RIC 49 epsilon
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
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia RIC 49 epsilon
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
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia RIC 54 a
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
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia RIC 54 a
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
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia RIC 55 b
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
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia RIC 55 b
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     
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia RIC 55 b
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
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia RIC 55 b
 
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).
delta SIS  RIC VII Siscia 55 
unlisted officina
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia RIC 55 delta
 
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
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia RIC 55 gamma
 
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
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia RIC 55 gamma
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
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia RIC 55 gamma
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
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia 56 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
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia 56 epsilon
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
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia 56 epsilon
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
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia 56 epsilon
RIC 56.5
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
Constantine the Great VLPP Siscia unlisted

More VLPP's from Siscia !

last modified on  24 Feb 2008