History Coins
Constantine I (The Great)
His 31 year reign as Emperor evolved into one of the great turning-points in Roman history. Flavius Valerius Constantius was born around AD 272, finally becoming Augustus in 310. To sum up his achievements and misdeeds:
1. He legalised Christianity after he converted to this latterly persecuted religion.
2. He reorganised the monetary system.
3. He founded a new capital in the east - Constantinople (now Istanbul) which would serve as the capital of Byzantium for the next 1000 years.
4. He built numerous churches, the most notable being St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
5. It is alleged that he had his wife killed after she commited adultery with her step-son, Crispus, by drowning or scalding her in a bath, but it is more likely that she died by accident whilst taking a prescribed hot bath to aid abortion.
*NEW* Constantine I, Bronze AE Follis, Lugdunum, Sol, AD 314-316
Obverse: Bust of Constantine I, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right, IMP CONSTANTINVS P AVG
Reverse: Sol, radiate, standing left, chlamys draped across left shoulder, raising right hand in salute and holding globe in left hand, SOLI INVIC TO COMITI, F[*?} in fields either side, PLG
Size: 21mm, 3.05g
Grade: VF, grainy surfaces with a dark tone, minting crack
Ref: RIC VII Lugdunum 31-34 var
£35 (P&P FREE to UK, other locations ask)
*NEW* Constantine I, Bronze AE3, London, Victory, AD 319-320
Obverse: Bust of Constantine I, wearing high-crested helmet, cuirassed, left, spear across right shoulder, IMP CONSTAN TINVS AG
Reverse: Two Victories, winged, draped, facing each other, holding a shield inscribed VOT/PR supported by an altar, VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP, PLN
Size: 17mm, 2.65g
Grade: F/AVF, sandy deposits
Ref: RIC VII Londinium 159; Sear 16296 var.
£25 (P&P FREE to UK, other locations ask)
*NEW* Constantine I, Bronze Billon Centenionalis, London, Altar, AD 322-323
Obverse: Bust of Constantine I, helmeted, cuirassed, right, CONSTAN TINVS AVG
Reverse: Globe on altar inscribed VOT/IS/XX, three stars above, mint mark F/B/PLON, BEATA TRA NQLITAS
Size: 18mm, 2.63g
Grade: VF/F
Ref: RIC VII Londinium 241; Sear 16169 var.
£40 (P&P FREE to UK, other locations ask)
*NEW* Constantine I, Bronze Billon Centenionalis, London, Altar, AD 323-324
Obverse: Bust of Constantine I, laureate, wearing trabea, right, holding eagle-tipped sceptre in right hand, CONSTAN TINVS AVG
Reverse: Globe on altar inscribed VOT/IS/XX, three stars above, mint mark PLON, BEATA TRA NQLITAS
Size: 19mm, 2.67g
Grade: VF
Ref: RIC VII Londinium 267; Sear 16170
£37 (P&P FREE to UK, other locations ask)
*NEW* Constantine I, Bronze AE3, Heraclea, Wreath, AD 325-326
Obverse: Head of Constantine I, laureate, right, CONSTAN TINVS AVG
Reverse: VOT/XXX within a laurel wreath, mint mark SMHA, D N CONSTANTINI MAX AVG
Size: 17.5mm, 3.27g
Grade: EF, dark patina with good clear detail
Ref: RIC VII Heraclea 69; Sear 16229
£50 (P&P FREE to UK, other locations ask)
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