© British Museum
© British Museum
Solidus - Constantinus I CONSTANTINVS AVG; Nicomedia
| Gold | 4.43 g | 20 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Constantine I (Flavius Valerius Constantinus) (306-337) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 324-325 |
| Value | Solidus (1) |
| Currency | Solidus, Reform of Constantine (AD 310/324 – 395) |
| Composition | Gold |
| Weight | 4.43 g |
| Diameter | 20 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#388933 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Victory, winged, draped, seated left on throne, holding small Victory, winged, draped, holding wreath up in right hand, standing right, on right hand, and cornucopiae in left: shield behind to right.
Mintmakr in exergue.
Script: Latin
Lettering: CONSTANTINVS AVG
Translation: Constantius the emperor.
Comment
Weight varies from 4.39g-4.45g
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Solidus - Constantinus I (CONSTANTINVS AVG; Nicomedia) (324-325) coin is that it features the first Christian symbolism on a Roman imperial coin. The reverse side of the coin depicts a chi-rho monogram, which represents the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ, Χριστός (Christos). This symbol was adopted by Emperor Constantine the Great after his conversion to Christianity and became a common motif in Christian art and architecture. The inclusion of this symbol on the coin reflects the significant religious and cultural shift that occurred during Constantine's reign, marking the beginning of Christianity's rise to dominance in the Roman Empire.
