© Ezio334 (CC BY-SA)
© Ezio334 (CC BY-SA)
Nummus - Constantius II SPES REIPVBLICE; Constantinopolis
| Bronze | - | 15 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Constantius II (337-361) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 355-361 |
| Value | Nummus (1⁄7200) |
| Currency | Solidus, Reform of Constantine (AD 310/324 – 395) |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Diameter | 15 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#429288 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Constantius II, helmeted, draped, cuirassed, standing left, holding globe in right hand and spear in left hand. * in left field.
Officina and mintmark in exergue.
Script: Latin
Lettering: SPES REI - PVBLICE
Unabridged legend: Spes Reipublice
Translation: Hope of the Republic
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Nummus - Constantius II (SPES REIPVBLICE; Constantinopolis) coin is that it features the first Christian symbol, the Chi-Rho, on its reverse side. The Chi-Rho is a combination of the first two letters of the Greek word "Christos" (Χριστός), which means "Christ." This symbol was used by early Christians to secretly identify themselves and mark their property, as Christianity was still a persecuted religion at the time. The inclusion of the Chi-Rho on this coin indicates that Christianity was beginning to gain acceptance and influence in the Roman Empire during the reign of Constantius II.
