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Title: Is Constantine wearing a brooch? Post by: jtalbot0001 on August 24, 2016, 10:58:56 PM I've been meaning to put this coin on here for a while now to see what other people think of it. It wasn't found by me (sad times) although I have it in my collection. It is a coin of Constantine I dating to 322-323AD Trier Mint. If you take a look at Constantine, take a look at what he is wearing, every time I look at this coin it looks like he is wearing a Fibula Brooch, or to be even more precise, one similar to the picture I have provided sometimes refered to as a Military/Crossbow Brooch. What do others think? Not that I have seen many Roman coins but I'm sure there can't be that many showing such a distinct brooch (if that is what it is). If you happen to have a picture of coin with a brooch please post.
Title: Re: Is Constantine wearing a brooch? Post by: Neil on August 25, 2016, 08:47:03 AM Well spotted Jon - without a doubt I would say you are spot on. It certainly appears to be a crossbow brooch!
Anyone else spotted anything unusual on Roman coins or artefacts? I have a large fibula I found a couple of years ago that I am convinced has two initials on it. I'll post a photo tomorrow. Interesting topic and well spotted. Cheers Neil Title: Re: Is Constantine wearing a brooch? Post by: ancientpat on August 25, 2016, 03:02:12 PM I have a large Roman brooch which my wife found some years ago which has engraved on the catchplate a scene of a water fowl in reeds . When she found it it was without a pin but we went back to the same fields six months later and up popped the pin !!
Pat ;) ;) Title: Re: Is Constantine wearing a brooch? Post by: dingdong on August 25, 2016, 08:08:54 PM What about this little beauty,definatly Roman,with Aztec type features...wierd or what !!
Title: Re: Is Constantine wearing a brooch? Post by: scara on August 25, 2016, 08:34:37 PM It is a lovely brooch, but right as you say the features do look like the Aztec ones.
Title: Re: Is Constantine wearing a brooch? Post by: probono on August 25, 2016, 10:21:54 PM Well I was really convinced - it certainly looks like a fibula, but if you look at the type in general (say on wildwinds) you realise that what has happened is that the eagle tipped rod held in Constantine's right hand has been struck poorly - and the celator / engraver was a bit poor in lining up the rod with the eagle (which is the thing sticking out of his shoulder).
So, the crossed part of the fibula is really part of the rod, and the vertical part is part of his mantle. I've attached two variants - one with the eagle tipped sceptre clear and another that looks very much like your coin. Title: Re: Is Constantine wearing a brooch? Post by: jtalbot0001 on August 25, 2016, 11:34:00 PM Hi All,
Thanks Probono for pointing out what it really was, I can see exactly what you mean now, would have been nice if it was a brooch though. Is there any coin out there that shows a brooch being worn? Thanks for all other posts, I look forward to seeing you picture of your brooch Neil, and Pat if you read this please post yours too as your story of finding it's pin six months after is amazing! Jon |