Constantine I ‘the Great’, AE Nummus, Ticinum Mint, 322-325 AD

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Description

Constantine I ‘the Great’, 306-337 AD, AE Nummus (bronze, 2.6g, 18.8mm), Ticinum Mint, 322-325 AD
Obv: CONSTAN-TINVS AVG; laureate head of Constantine I to right
Rev:  D N CONSTANTINI MAX AVG; VOT / •/ XX in three lines, crescent below all within wreath; PT in exergue
Ref: RIC VII 167 Rarity/Choice: Common, EF
Note: Constantine I, also known as Constantine the Great, was Roman Emperor from AD 306 to 337. He is best known for being the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity and for establishing Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) as the new capital of the Roman Empire, which would later become the heart of the Byzantine Empire. His reign marked a significant turning point in Roman history, particularly with the Edict of Milan in AD 313, which granted religious tolerance to Christians, and his support for the Council of Nicaea in AD 325, which helped to define early Christian doctrine. The obverse features a laureate head of Constantine facing right. The laurel wreath is a symbol of victory and divine favor, reinforcing Constantine’s image as a triumphant and divinely sanctioned emperor. His portrait is idealized, projecting an image of strength and authority. The reverse design is centered on the inscription “VOT / • / XX” arranged in three lines above a crescent, all within a laurel wreath. The “VOT XX” refers to vows (vota) made by Constantine for 20 years of successful rule. The laurel wreath symbolizes victory, and the crescent below may represent the passing of time or a celestial element, adding to the divine connotations of Constantine’s reign. “D N CONSTANTINI MAX AVG” translates to “Dominus Noster Constantinus Maximus Augustus,” meaning “Our Lord Constantine, the Greatest Augustus.” This emphasizes Constantine’s preeminent position as the senior emperor and the greatest among the Augusti.

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