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Constantine I, AD 307-337

Roman Empire, Constantine I, AD 307-337 AE Reduced Nummus

Roman names usually end in "VS" which is the Roman way of writing "us" (as in the names Marcus and Lucius). We call him "Constantine," they called him "Constantinvs".

In the legend, "P F" abbreviates "Pius", which means "pious" or "dutiful", and "Felix," which means "happy". Finally, "AVG" abbreviates "Augustus", which is the Roman title for "emperor". Again, the "V" shape serves as the modern letter "u".

The reverse depicts a standing figure of Sol, the sun god, naked but for a cloak, raising his right hand in blessing and holding a globe in his left hand. Constantine invoked the support of the sun god before he converted to Christianity. PLG below, and S and F in the fields to the left and right of Sol. The legend translates to "Sol, invincible comrade (of Constantine)." The "PLG" mark is a mint mark of Lugdunum, now the modern Lyons in southern France.

Meaning of Nummus

In AD 295, the emperor Diocletian replaced radiates with a new copper-alloy coin. During the fourth century, the size and weight of this new coin was gradually reduced and smaller denominations were also struck. None of the Roman names for these coins survive, so it is easiest to refer to them all as nummi (singular = nummus). Inflation caused the decline in size of the coins so persons using the name Nummus will apply the same word to coins vastly different in size.

History of coin subject "Constantine I": Constantine refounded the city of Byzantium, and renamed it Constantinopolis. The Imperial government was transferred there from Rome. In 307 Constantine and Licinius issued the famous Edict of Milan, which granted complete religious tolerance of all citizens of the Roman Empire. Constantine became Rome’s 1st Christian emperor.

For more information about this coin call: Toll Free 1-866-697-4653.

Constantine I, AD 307-337

Roman Empire, Constantine I, AD 307-337 AE Reduced Nummus

Roman names usually end in "VS" which is the Roman way of writing "us" (as in the names Marcus and Lucius). We call him "Constantine," they called him "Constantinvs".

In the legend, "P F" abbreviates "Pius", which means "pious" or "dutiful", and "Felix," which means "happy". Finally, "AVG" abbreviates "Augustus", which is the Roman title for "emperor". Again, the "V" shape serves as the modern letter "u".

The reverse depicts a standing figure of Sol, the sun god, naked but for a cloak, raising his right hand in blessing and holding a globe in his left hand. Constantine invoked the support of the sun god before he converted to Christianity. PLG below, and S and F in the fields to the left and right of Sol. The legend translates to "Sol, invincible comrade (of Constantine)." The "PLG" mark is a mint mark of Lugdunum, now the modern Lyons in southern France.

Meaning of Nummus

In AD 295, the emperor Diocletian replaced radiates with a new copper-alloy coin. During the fourth century, the size and weight of this new coin was gradually reduced and smaller denominations were also struck. None of the Roman names for these coins survive, so it is easiest to refer to them all as nummi (singular = nummus). Inflation caused the decline in size of the coins so persons using the name Nummus will apply the same word to coins vastly different in size.

History of coin subject "Constantine I": Constantine refounded the city of Byzantium, and renamed it Constantinopolis. The Imperial government was transferred there from Rome. In 307 Constantine and Licinius issued the famous Edict of Milan, which granted complete religious tolerance of all citizens of the Roman Empire. Constantine became Rome’s 1st Christian emperor.

For more information about this coin call: Toll Free 1-866-697-4653.

Constantius I, AD 305-306

Roman Empire Constantius I, as Caesar. AD305-306. AR Argenteus (3.17g). Nicomedia mint. Struck 295 AD. Laureate head right / Camp gate with doors open and four turrets decorated with eagles; SMNr

History of coin subject "Constantius I ": Constantius (March 31 c. 250 July 25, 306) was an emperor of the Western Roman Empire (305-306). He was the father of Constantine the Great and initiator of the Constantinian dynasty. In 293, Constantius defeated the forces of Carausius, who had declared himself emperor in Britain and northern Gaul in 286, near Bononia. Carausius was killed by his rationalis Allectus, who took command of Britain until 296, when Constantius sent Asclepiodotus, a prefect of the Praetorian Guard, to invade the island. Allectus was defeated and killed, and Roman rule in Britain restored. Diocletian and Maximian stepped down as co-emperors in 305, due to Diocletian's poor health, and the Caesars, Constantius and Galerius, became co-emperors. Constantius ruled the western empire, Galerius the eastern. Severus and Maximinus were appointed Caesars. Constantine, who had hoped to be a Caesar, joined his father's campaigns in Gaul and Britain. Constantius died in Britain, at York, in 306, and Constantine was declared emperor by the army.

For more information about this coin call: Toll Free 1-866-697-4653.

Constantius I, AD 305-306

Roman Empire Constantius I, as Caesar. AD305-306. AR Argenteus (3.17g). Nicomedia mint. Struck 295 AD. Laureate head right / Camp gate with doors open and four turrets decorated with eagles; SMNr

History of coin subject "Constantius I ": Constantius (March 31 c. 250 July 25, 306) was an emperor of the Western Roman Empire (305-306). He was the father of Constantine the Great and initiator of the Constantinian dynasty. In 293, Constantius defeated the forces of Carausius, who had declared himself emperor in Britain and northern Gaul in 286, near Bononia. Carausius was killed by his rationalis Allectus, who took command of Britain until 296, when Constantius sent Asclepiodotus, a prefect of the Praetorian Guard, to invade the island. Allectus was defeated and killed, and Roman rule in Britain restored. Diocletian and Maximian stepped down as co-emperors in 305, due to Diocletian's poor health, and the Caesars, Constantius and Galerius, became co-emperors. Constantius ruled the western empire, Galerius the eastern. Severus and Maximinus were appointed Caesars. Constantine, who had hoped to be a Caesar, joined his father's campaigns in Gaul and Britain. Constantius died in Britain, at York, in 306, and Constantine was declared emperor by the army.

For more information about this coin call: Toll Free 1-866-697-4653.

Constantius I, AD 305-306

Roman Empire Constantius I. 305-306 AD. AR Argenteus (3.06g). Serdica mint. Struck circa 305-306 AD. Laureate head right / Camp gate with three turrets above; SM SDA.

History of coin subject "Constantius I ": Constantius (March 31 c. 250 July 25, 306) was an emperor of the Western Roman Empire (305-306). He was the father of Constantine the Great and initiator of the Constantinian dynasty. In 293, Constantius defeated the forces of Carausius, who had declared himself emperor in Britain and northern Gaul in 286, near Bononia. Carausius was killed by his rationalis Allectus, who took command of Britain until 296, when Constantius sent Asclepiodotus, a prefect of the Praetorian Guard, to invade the island. Allectus was defeated and killed, and Roman rule in Britain restored. Diocletian and Maximian stepped down as co-emperors in 305, due to Diocletian's poor health, and the Caesars, Constantius and Galerius, became co-emperors. Constantius ruled the western empire, Galerius the eastern. Severus and Maximinus were appointed Caesars. Constantine, who had hoped to be a Caesar, joined his father's campaigns in Gaul and Britain. Constantius died in Britain, at York, in 306, and Constantine was declared emperor by the army.

For more information about this coin call: Toll Free 1-866-697-4653.