Aborted Production and Selective Coin Withdrawal: A Die Study of the AE Coinage of Constantinopolis in AD 326

In AD 326, Constantine executed his son Crispus and his wife Fausta. A die study of the 5-6 months-long Providentiae bronze coin emission of Constantinopolis indicates that Crispus was eliminated early in the emission. Production possibly ended with the elimination of Fausta, dated here to October or November on the basis of coinage from Ticinum. The 50% more coins for officinae A than for B may indicate the number of anvils in use, three in A and two in B. The die study identifies 301 obverse and 302 reverse dies, that is, equal numbers. The average working life of each die may have been surprisingly short, perhaps a few hours to a few days. The number of known coins and dies may indicate that coins struck for Crispus and Fausta were actively withdrawn after their deaths. This controversial conclusion is supported by several further examples showing a similar pattern.