Category Archives: Constantine I

Metal Monsters: The Biggest Ancient Coins

CoinWeek Ancient Coin Series by Mike Markowitz …… IN 2007, CANADA captured a world record by producing five examples of a 100-kilogram gold piece (220.5 pounds, or a bit over 3215 troy ounces). It was 53 centimeters in diameter (21 inches) and three centimeters thick, denominated at one million Canadian dollars. “Why did the Royal […]

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Snakes on Ancient Coins

By Mike Markowitz for CoinWeek ….. This reptile, as an image of divinity and of nature, is figured both in its natural shape, and under a variety of monstrous and imaginary forms, on a great multitude of coins of Greek cities … It is less frequently found on coins with Latin inscriptions, but still there […]

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CoinWeek Ancient Coin Series: The Family of Constantine the Great

By Mike Markowitz for CoinWeek ….. Constantine’s family was large and complex. Both he and his father had sired children with two different women, thus creating three branches [of] the Constantinian family. Most remote to Constantine was the step-family created by his father and most immediate were the two branches of direct descendants he had […]

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NGC Ancient Coins: Roman Silver Type Set

Over its long life, the Mediterranean superpower struck a wide array of silver ancient coins   Roman silver coins were produced in astonishing variety over a period of about 800 years. Considering the broad historical themes they represent, it’s no surprise they are among the most popular of all ancient coins. Many collectors specialize in […]

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Christianity and Christian Symbols Appear on Ancient Coins

By David Hendin for CoinWeek ….. The cross has been the most recognizable symbol of Christianity for more than 1,600 years. But this was not the case in the first few hundred years after Jesus died. When Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem between around 30 and 33 CE (the exact year is not known), he […]

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Ancient Coin Profile: 9 Solidi Medallion of Constantine the Great

Gold medallions were gifts produced for the Roman emperor to bestow upon high-ranking civilian and military individuals, as well as “foreign ambassadors and chieftains whom it was intended to impress.” They were “the imperial counterpart of private gifts presented to friends on important occasions.” Described by Arnold Toynbee as money medallions because they were “true […]

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NGC Ancients – Bridges on Roman Coins

Bridges on Roman Coins By Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) …… A number of Roman coins depict bridges, although not always exact likenesses. As engineers and architects, the Romans had few peers in the ancient world. Many of their buildings and monuments survive to this day, though most have vanished due to catastrophes or the recycling […]

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NGC Ancients: Late Roman Coin Reverse Types, Part 2

Reverse types of the Late Roman Empire are remarkably varied, with military and religious types being the most abundant   By Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) …… Click Here for Part I In the previous column, we examined some of the familiar reverse types associated with Roman military life and the vows undertaken by emperors. In […]

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NGC Ancients: Late Roman Coin Reverse Types, Part 1

The reverse designs of late Roman coins typically feature military themes   By Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) …… Coins of the Late Roman Empire have a remarkable variety of designs. In the previous column, we examined some of the principal types encountered on the obverse – typically the imperial portrait. In this installment (and the […]

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NGC Ancients: Late Roman Coin Obverse Types

Roman Emperors and many of their family members had coins with their portraits issued By Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) …… Coins of the Late Roman Empire offer a treasure trove of interesting designs at affordable prices. This has long attracted specialists to the field, as collectors can acquire intriguing, historical coins without having to sacrifice […]

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NGC Ancients: The Decline of Roman Imperial Silver Coinage, Part II

By Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) …… The evolution of silver continued during the last two centuries of the Roman Empire In the previous column (Part I), we saw how the quality of silver coinage of the Roman Empire declined steadily from the reign of Augustus (27 BCE to 14 CE) to that of Gallienus (253 […]

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MA-Shops: Jupiter on Ancient Coins

By Joël van Dam – Owner, Joëlnumismatics, for MA-Shops.com …… Jupiter, the Roman Zeus Last month I spoke a little about mythology on ancient coins. This month, I want to begin to discuss the gods and goddesses, and heroes and monsters of myth–beginning with the Roman god Jupiter. I came to the conclusion when I […]

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Ancient Coins – A Survey of Roman Gold Coins — Part 2

By Josh Illingworth – NGC Ancients …… Part 1 At the beginning of the fourth century CE, the Roman Empire found itself in a prolonged economic decline. Centuries of warfare and misrule had slowly eroded all aspects of Roman life. Unsurprisingly, this was reflected in the Roman gold coins of the era. The gold aureus, a […]

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Does This Toga Make Me Look Fat? Clothing on Ancient Coins

CoinWeek Ancient Coin Series by Mike Markowitz …. And if any man will sue thee at law and take away thy coat [Greek: chiton; Latin: tunica], let him have thy cloak [Greek: himation; Latin: pallium] also. —Matthew, 5:40[1] LIVING IN A WORLD OF CHEAP, machine-made textiles, it is easy for us to forget that every […]

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Ancient Coins – The Gold Solidus of Rome: MA-Shops

Most beginning collectors of ancient coins have something in common: they want an ancient gold coin in their collection. The Roman solidus is a good candidate. By Joël van Dam – Owner of Joëlnumismatics, for MA-Shops.com ……   Gold coins from ancient times are most of the times expensive investments. Think of the golden aureus […]

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NGC Ancient Coins: Roman Silver Type Set

Over its long life, the Mediterranean superpower struck a wide array of silver coins Roman silver coins were produced in astonishing variety over a period of about 800 years. Considering the broad historical themes they represent, it’s no surprise they are among the most popular of all ancient coins. Many collectors specialize in the silver […]

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CoinWeek Ancient Coin Series: Collecting Ancient Weights

By Mike Markowitz for CoinWeek ….   Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity. Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin[1]. — Leviticus, 19:35-36 PEOPLE ARE NOT VERY GOOD AT estimating or comparing weight. Before the rise of market economies, people measured commodities mainly by […]

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Ancient Coin Profile – Pompeia’s Pick: Vetranio, Temporary Emperor

By Lorie Ann Hambly for Heritage Auctions …… Vetranio (we do not know a first or family name) was born to humble parents in Moesia, probably in the 290s CE. He entered the army and served with distinction under the mighty Constantine I (AD 306-337), the first Christian ruler of Rome, who even during his […]

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CoinWeek Ancient Coin Series: Bridges on Ancient Coins

By Mike Markowitz for CoinWeek ….   ROMANS WERE PROUD of their bridges, some of the most spectacular feats of ancient engineering. The high priest of the Roman state religion was called the Pontifex Maximus–literally the “supreme bridge-builder”–a title later adopted by the Popes of the Roman Catholic Church. A number of Roman coins depict […]

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CoinWeek Ancient Coin Series: The Christianization of Roman Coinage

By Mike Markowitz for CoinWeek…. We speak sometimes of the Roman religion as though it possessed a firm basis, but in fact it was constantly changing, the gods melting away and being replaced by others (Hale, 73). Decline of Paganism BY THE BEGINNING OF THE FOURTH CENTURY CE, the religious life of the Romans was […]

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Massive Hoard of Ancient Roman Coins Found in Spain

By CoinWeek News Staff ….   Late last week, construction workers in the town of Tomares, a suburb of the southern Spanish city of Seville, discovered a hoard of almost 1,323 pounds (600 kg) of ancient Roman coins. According to city planner Lola Vallejo, workers were performing routine work on water pipes near Zaudín Park […]

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Gorny & Mosch Fall Auction: Strong Market for High Quality Coins

Excellent prices were realized in the Gorny & Mosch Fall Auction. Above all, the Archaic coins from Athens and the collection of exquisite German thalers achieved five-digit hammer prices. However, Poland caused more than one surprise, too. During the week from October 5 to 9, 2015, coin collectors gathered in Munich. Presented in no less […]

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NGC Ancients Grades Possibly Unique Roman Gold Medallion

Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) has graded an important large-sized gold medallion of the Roman Emperor Constantine I (307-337 CE) that many believe to be unique. One of the most famous Roman Emperors, Constantine I is often called “the Great” for his many achievements during his three decades in power. He is particularly well known for […]

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