Hi numismatic folks
I joined the site a few weeks ago and have completed 5 successful swaps. Love Numista!
I have spent many hours searching through various websites to try and educate myself on this little coin left to me by my dad. I really thought I would crack it but have finally given in and hope that the knowledgeable on Numista can shed more light on it.
Forgive me if I have any of this wrong but this is what I have learned.
Obverse: Inscription - CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB CAES = Constantine Junior as Caesar.
Bare-headed with draped and cuirassed bust facing right.
Reverse: Inscription - PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS = Prince of Youth.
Mars ? helmeted facing right holding spear point downwards in right hand with chlamys over shoulder and shield in left hand wearing battle dress? There is a capital A to the left of Mars. In the exergue are two symbols that are clear but I cannot identify.
At first I thought the A was for Arles mint but now I wonder if it stands for Alpha?
I have seen a number of AE coins with a similar bare-headed bust and they were all from the Trier mint.
The coin alignment is reversed. It is 20mm diameter and weighs 2.84 grams
What has stumped is that none of the coins I have seen that carry these inscriptions have this reverse image of Mars. They all seem to depict Jupiter with a globe. Is it what you call a mule perhaps? Or a fake!
Any help will be much appreciated - only wish that Dad was around to share it with.
kind regards
Adam