Roman Bronze Constantinopolis Follis Coin Pendant

$190.39

A Roman bronze commemorative follis, issued by the Emperor Constantine the Great, surrounded by a silver pendant frame. The obverse of the coin depicts the personification of the city Constantinople, as a helmeted female. She is shown holding a spear across her left shoulder, her head turned to the left. Along with her crested helmet she has a characteristic laurel wreath on her head and wears the imperial mantle. A legend surrounds her, reading CONSTAN- TINOPOLIS, confirming her identity. The reverse depicts another female figure; Victory. The goddess is shown facing left, also holding a spear. She places one foot on the rudder of a ship, whilst leaning against a round shield. These emblems are characteristic of the deity’s representation. Underneath the deity are the letters TR.S, which denotes the mint at which this coin was produced, Trier. The coin is encased in a silver shell, attached to a round suspension loop.

Please note; the chain is for reference only and not included with the pendant. We have chains available for sale on request.

 

Date: Circa AD 331-333
Condition: Extremely fine, some signs of patination

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SKU: AG-23 Category: Tags: , ,

Constantine I, also known as Constantine the Great, was a Roman emperor who ruled from AD 306 to 337. During his reign he reformed many aspects of the Empire, including the structure of the government in which he separated the civil and military powers. Constantine improved inflation with the creation of a new gold coin named Solidus and was successful with the Roman frontiers. He was the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, and with the signing of the Edict of Milan in AD 313, he allowed for tolerance for the religion within the Empire.

Constantine issued the creation of small bronze coins to commemorate the old capital Rome and the new capital Constantinople. These coins were thought to symbolise the equality of the two cities and the new importance of Constantinople to the empire. The reason Constantine moved the capital of the empire was because of the growing success within the eastern part of the Roman empire and it was becoming more important than the Italian location. Constantine moved the capital to be closer to the centre of the empire.  It is thought that Constantine split the empire as way to ensure that the political entity remained stable throughout its expansion.

Weight 4 g
Dimensions L 1.8 x W 2.5 cm
Culture

Metal

,

Region

Roman Emperors

Reference: For a similar item: The British Museum, London, item 1950-1006-1236

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